Reading
John 4:10
Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.”
Devotion
This week's painting is a modern work (2024) by Russian artist Andrey Nikolaevich Mironov (not the activist of similar name). His artist's page may be found here (helps to have a browser that translates) Personal site of Andrey Mironov - Biography. Contacts. The painting is entitled, "The Bride (Russian Samaritan)" and is based on the story in Chapter 4 of John's Gospel. If you can understand Russian, here is a video of the artist talking about the painting: Невеста (русская самарянка). Художник Андрей Миронов. From a translation, "The image of the human soul and the Church of Christ. The Heavenly Bridegroom appears from beyond the horizon to fill empty buckets with "living water" (John 4:10). The girl spread her arms along the yoke like the Lord on the cross, for the earthly Church is the church of the martyrs who bear the cross of testimony to Christ, so that "they may never thirst, but have eternal life" (John 4:14)."
I like this painting because it startles me. There are A LOT of paintings of Jesus and the Samaritan woman. This is the only one I have found that emphasizes maidenhood, betrothal, and youth. In the story the woman is instrumental in leading her whole village to Christ, so I love the sheep (and the sheep dog--the dog bounds along happily!) following her. Jesus, the bridegroom is in the background. The energy of the painting moves forward toward the viewer. I like that a lot as well...God and the community of faith are moving forward, ever into the foreground where we the viewer stand. I like how the bride's eyes are half turned backward even as she steps forward with confidence which symbolizes her connection to her betrothed and her community.
How do you think of your soul, dear reader? As George McDonald wrote, "You are a soul, you have a body." To whom is your soul wedded, to whom are you connected? What does the flow of Living Water feel like for you?
Prayer
Heavenly Father,
Just as Jesus met the woman at the well, meet me in the ordinary moments of my life.
You know my thirst — for love, for peace, for purpose — and You offer living water that never runs dry.
Wash away the shame and burdens I carry, and fill me with Your Spirit until my heart overflows.
Teach me to worship You in spirit and in truth, not just with words, but with a life surrendered to You.
May my encounter with You transform me, so that I, too, can share the good news with others,
inviting them to taste the living water and find rest for their souls.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.