John 4: 1-15

Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard, "Jesus is baptizing and making more disciples than John"

2 (though Jesus himself didn't baptize them-his disciples did).

3 So he left Judea to return to Galilee.

4 He had to go through Samaria on the way.

5 Eventually he came to the Samaritan village of Sychar, near the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph.

6 Jacob's well was there; and Jesus, tired from the long walk, sat wearily beside the well about noontime.

7 Soon a Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, "Please give me a drink."

8 He was alone at the time because his disciples had gone into the village to buy some food.

9 The woman was surprised, for Jews refuse to have anything to do with Samaritans. She said to Jesus, "You are a Jew, and I am a Samaritan woman. Why are you asking me for a drink?"

10 Jesus replied, "If you only knew the gift God has for you and who I am, you would ask me, and I would give you living water."

11 "But sir, you don't have a rope or a bucket," she said, "and this is a very deep well. Where would you get this living water?

12 And besides, are you greater than our ancestor Jacob who gave us this well? How can you offer better water than he and his sons and his cattle enjoyed?"

13 Jesus replied, "People soon become thirsty again after drinking this water.

14 But the water I give them takes away thirst altogether. It becomes a perpetual spring within them, giving them eternal life."

15 "Please, sir," the woman said, "give me some of that water! Then I'll never be thirsty again, and I won't have to come here to haul water."

Timing is everything. God's timing is perfect.

Was it an accident that Jesus was at the well when the Samaritan woman came? Was it a coincidence that the disciples had gone into town, leaving him alone?

Jesus did not have to go through Samaria. He could have gone around. Most Jews probably did. But he took the "shortcut" through Samaria. Time was of the essence. He had an appointment to keep.

How many times has God put us in the right place at the right time to tell someone about Jesus? How many of those times have we acted on it, or even recognized our opportunities?

It is easy to look back and see the times God has placed someone in our life at just the right time. We need to strive to recognize when WE are the right person in someone else's life and look for opportunities to share the Gospel.