What Jesus Did! 'Leaving the Water Jar Behind' — John 4:28-29

Sunday, March 15, 2026

The woman [at Jacob's well] left her water jar beside the well and ran back to the village, telling everyone, "Come and see a man who told me everything I ever did! Could he possibly be the Messiah?"
— John 4:28-29 NLT

Key Thought

Can you imagine coming to the village well by yourself in shame and returning to the village, leaving your water jar behind, proclaiming the gospel to the people who rejected you? [1] This woman had found it! She had had a drink of living water. Her life, her influence, her world were suddenly changed ... redeemed ... and made significant. Have you been blessed by the Christ? Have you received a drink from the Messiah? Then why not join this unnamed woman and invite those in your world to come meet Jesus so they can also find the Messiah?!

[1] See the second footnote in the devotional for March 2.

Today's Prayer

Holy and righteous Father, please give me a powerful sense of your mission for my life. Use me to influence others to come to Jesus. In Jesus' name and for his glory, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

6 Related Resources by Heartlight

Reversal of Influence
Devo: What Jesus Did!
"The woman left her water jar beside the well and ran back to the village, telling everyone, "Come and see a man who told me everything I ever did!..."
Savior of the World
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Beloved, You receive these notes because you love Me and want to walk with Me in your daily life. So I want to remind you of something very..."
Leaving the Bucket Behind
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Disciple, I surprised My closest disciples at Jacob's well in Samaria. We were traveling from Judea to Galilee, and Samaria was the region..."
A Dry Time
Article by Tom Norvell
Who around you needs more than just a drink? Tom Norvell talks about a spiritually dry time, when there seems to be a void in our souls and spiritual life seems difficult and he reminds us of the woman at the well in John 4 and how Jesus gave her much more than water and how she shared this water wi
See All 6 Related Resources about John 4:28-29

Illustration

Illustration of John 4:28-29 NLT — The woman [at Jacob's well] left her water jar beside the well and ran back to the village, telling everyone, "Come and see a man who told me everything I ever did! Could he possibly be the Messiah?"

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Sunday, March 15, 2026

Daily Wisdom
A daily devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
Proverbs 4:25-26
"Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you. Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm."
Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'The Joy of His Presence' (Acts 2:25-28)
"[Peter reminded the crowds at Pentecost,] "King David said this about [the crucified Jesus]: 'I see that the Lord is always with me.I will not be..."
A Year with Jesus
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
'The Golden Life'
"Dear Beloved, We often make understanding what God wants much harder than it really is. One of the important aspects of My teaching is that I tried....."
Today's Verse
A daily devotional featuring a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
Psalm 86:5
"You are forgiving and good, O LORD, abounding in love to all who call on you."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More What Jesus Did!