Do you remember the Bible story about the time when Jesus met a Samaritan woman at a well? This story is found in the Gospel of John, in the fourth chapter. The story occurs when Jesus becomes extremely thirsty and he sits down next to a well. A woman is there drawing water. Jesus asks her for a drink. This in itself is unusual, because during those times Jewish men did not associate with women, especially Samaritan women. The woman questions Jesus because of this and He went on to explain that people who drink from this water will again be thirsty, but those who drink living water will not.

What did Jesus mean by this, and what is the significance of this particular woman? Well, this woman was a woman with sin. I think we can all relate to this. Her sin however, may appear worse than others, because she had been married five times, and was now with a man who was not even her husband. Jesus knew this and He changed her life when he introduced the concept of “living water.” Living water is what each one of us needs. It is the water that is offered by God, through His Son, Jesus. It is the ticket we need for forgiveness, and the ability to live our life serving Him.

But just how did that woman feel? The woman at the well often felt that everyone in town stared at her funny; almost like she was wearing the scarlet letter. Her sins drew attention to her and her lifestyle. This made her feel very sad, lonely and unloved; however, when Jesus explained to her what living water is, she suddenly changed and no longer worried what people in the town thought of her.

As Christians, we can learn two moral lessons here. The first is that no matter what sins we have committed, none is too big for God to forgive. The second is that as Christians, we are to love everyone, regardless of the sins they commit. Judging them is not for us; but instead it is for God. Instead of judging someone next time, try loving them. See the difference it will make in your heart and theirs.