Meeting Jesus at the Well

If I were to teach young children about the story of the woman at the well, what will I want to make sure they understand?

Might I tell them that sin is an act that turns us away from God and his love, and that it is a heavy burden to our souls? This woman who came to the well carried a heavy burden. 

How might I impress on them that Jesus is merciful, and his loving arms are always open for us to come back to him? Jesus’ judgment always comes with an offering of forgiveness and mercy.

What can I teach about the living water that was given by Jesus to this woman who came to him thirsting for a new life? Jesus’ living waters, like the waters of our baptism, give us new life in him.

Should I go so far as to say that the woman at the well, when Jesus confronted her with the truth of her sinfulness, was ready and able to acknowledge her own fault so that forgiveness was even possible? Indeed, this woman longed for forgiveness. She needed Jesus to see her both in truth and in love. 

Could I be so bold as to share, from the story of this woman, that, once redeemed by the love of Christ, she had no choice but to share her revelation with others so that they could drink living water from the same source? It is imperative to our salvation that we proclaim the Good News not merely by our words, but through acts of love.

If I gather with our children at the feet of Jesus on Sunday morning, bearing all of their openness and curiosity, and we ponder these questions together, perhaps the Holy Spirit will teach us, and this Sunday’s Good News will be written on our hearts.