In April 2023 a news story reported, “An unprecedented storm system dumped more than 2 feet of rain on Broward County, Florida on Wednesday.” Although floods can kill and destroy, the following scripture readings tell us how God works through water to save us.

Genesis 1:1-2 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.

1 Peter 3:19-22 After being made alive, he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits— 20 to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, 21 and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.

John 4

Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about noon.7 When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus [spoke] to her:

Jesus: “Will you give me a drink?”

Woman: “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” Jews do not associate with Samaritans.

Jesus: “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.”

Woman: “Sir, you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? 12 Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his livestock?”

Jesus: “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

Woman: 19 “Sir,” the woman said, “I can see that you are a prophet. I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.”

Jesus: “I, the one speaking to you—I am he”