John 4:7-15

7Soon a Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, "Please give me a drink." 8He was alone at the time because his disciples had gone into the village to buy some food. 9The 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?" 10Jesus 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? 12And 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?" 13Jesus replied, "People soon become thirsty again after drinking this water. 14But 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."

New Living Translation

Yesterday, we saw how the Israelites complained when they had a lack of water, instead of trusting God to supply their needs.  Today, we see a completely opposite response.

This woman, that society had considered worthless, encountered Jesus at a well.  He asked for a drink, since she had a bucket and He did not. 

It was so unusual for a Jewish Rabbi to talk to a Samaritan at all, or a woman.....let alone one that lived an immoral lifestyle.  She was so surprised she asked Him why He was talking to her.

Jesus didn't really explain why, but He did tell her that He could give her living water.  An odd response, since He was asking her for a drink!  She pointed that fact out to Him.

And Jesus explained that He wasn't talking about the water in the well, because that water couldn't permanently satisfy what we need most.  Only He could really satisfy her needs.

Now, this woman realized that she had a need.  But she had no hope until now.  She was an outcast.  But at this moment, Jesus is telling her that she has hope.  All she has to do is ask.

She doesn't complain about having a need.  She doesn't play victim.  She doesn't get offended because Jesus is pointing out her problems.  Instead, she responds with eagerness.  Please, give me what I need!  I'm desperate!

This woman's true thirst was satisfied, because she believed Jesus's word, and asked for what He was offering.  Isn't that a better response than being angry that the thirst exists?