Briefing: There are some things on this earth that we will never be able to fix. Issues like crime and thirst will be with us until Jesus returns.

Dispatch (Assignment): Read John 4:1-26.

On the Street: What is the goal of law enforcement? Can we stop people from committing crime? No, our job is to uphold the constitution of the United States and enforce the laws of our government. In a twisted kind of way, crime is job security for the law enforcement officer. The more crime, the greater our society needs us and vice versa. The only way crime will cease to exist is when Jesus comes to reign on this earth.

Jesus poses a unique answer to the idea of putting a stop to something that has proven impossible for humanity to control or stop. Instead of putting a stop to crime, which He will eventually do, we see Him suggest a way of putting an end to thirst. Thirst, like crime is a basic reality of human existence. If Jesus could put a stop to thirst, does it not stand to reason that He could put a stop to crime?

Jesus asks the woman, who is drawing water from the well, to give Him a drink. Proverbs 11:25 (HCSB) says, “A generous person will be enriched, and one who gives a drink of water will receive water.” I love it when we see a glimpse of Jesus, the Word of God (Jesus is the Word, every word written in the Bible reveals His character). He gives her an opportunity to give Him water so He can, in return, give her living water.

Jesus tells her He has water for her that will cure her from ever getting thirsty again. He tells her, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” John 4:13-14 (NIV).

Jesus has the power to give you living water (salvation). Salvation is a gift. Notice that He asked the woman to receive Him and His gift without any prerequisite change in her life. She believed, and because she believed, her way of life changed. This gift is available to all of us.

Jesus will eventually come and bring an end to crime, also. The Living Water will replace the need for Law Enforcement. Can you imagine living in a world with no crime? The Bible calls this place heaven. This is the place I want to live. I have made my reservation and plan on being there as soon as my number is called. How about you? Don’t get left behind; chose living water, the free gift of salvation that Jesus is offering.

Investigational Resources: For more reading on God being characterized as Living Water, read Jeremiah 2:13, 17:13, Isaiah 55:1, John 7:37-38, Revelation 7:17, 21:6, 22:1, and 22:17.

Officer Safety Principle: Salvation is not a retirement plan but a gift from God. Like the woman at the well, acceptance of that gift will change your life.

from The Gospel of John Through the Eyes of a Cop
©by Charles Gilliland. Used by permission.
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