The readings for the third Sunday in Lent are taken from Exodus 17:1-7; Romans 5:1-8; and John 4:5-26 (27-30, 39-42).
Common to these readings is: a) the contentiousness of the corruption of Adam in our human nature; b) the redeeming work of God that precedes us, surrounds us, and comes to us; c) the parable of water—essential to our lives and provided for us by God from the Rock of His Son; His Word IS living water.
Exodus records the cycle of people finding fault, complaining and accusing, and God responding ever so patiently and faithfully. Paul wrote to the Romans about the wilderness of our time in this world and sojourn through it. This sojourn in this world is still taking place within God’s redeeming universe. We are no better than the Israelites: weak, ungodly, sinners, enemies of God. We are infinitely better off because the living water of God’s Word has regenerated our souls in Christ’s image. The love of God poured into our hearts.
John has the narrative of the woman at the well. She is like every other apple that has fallen from the bad tree of Adam. She did plenty of complaining and objecting, but Jesus washed that away with His grace and truth, replacing all that with a regenerated woman who told everyone about Jesus.