JESUS TALKS TO THE SAMARITAN WOMAN
There was a great deal of subtle information packed into a seemingly ordinary statement.
- Jesus was tired...
- Jesus knew where he was, who he would meet, and how he would go about teaching the "Good News."
- The insignificant people are loved by Jesus.
- Spiritual Needs of a person is more important than all other needs.
- Sin is always addressed when Jesus speaks.
- Jesus offers life... eternal life for the down and out.
- Jesus expects us to tell the good news to others.
- The main points of the passage:
-
Jesus knows us...
Jesus is interested in our every day life...
Jesus offers us the best deal with no strings attached, but...
Jesus expects us to tie the strings to Him in order to get successful results.
The narrative falls into three major segments.
- There is the explanation as to why the Lord happened to be passing through Samaritan territory (4:1-4).
- There is the actual exchange between Jesus and this strange woman (5-26).
- There is the effect that ultimately was produced as a result of this incident (27-42).
- Jesus Christ was the master teacher of all times. He taught in such a variety of ways. While he frequently spoke to “the multitudes,” he also spent considerable time in virtually one-on-one situations. He gave kindly attention to the individual.
- The Lord's travels were not haphazard. They were meticulously orchestrated so as to enhance the greatest advantage for the success of his coming kingdom. Frequently, "timing" was crucial, for everything must proceed on schedule toward that most important "hour" on the divine clock (cf. Jon. 7:30; 8:20; 13:1, etc.).
- As Jesus and his disciples traveled northward through Samaria, they came to a city called Sychar. The apostle declares that “Jacob's well was there” (4:6).
- Jesus was tired. This showed His humanity and the normal strain of a
days walk/work in the Holy Land...
Do you sometime think that Jesus does not understand what it means to be human... sick, tired, needing rest, weary of the requirements of the day... requirements of life?. - Jesus spoke to a lady drawing water... It was not normal for a male Jew to
speak to a woman in public... nor a Jew to speak to a Samaritan.
- Jew - A descendant of Israel's southern kingdom of Judah who lives by the laws of the covenant made by God with the nation of Israel at Mount Sinai.
- Samaritan - A resident of Samaria very much disliked by the Jews.
- Relations between Jews and Samaritans - As can be seen in John 4:9, Jews and Samaritans were not the best of friends during New Testament times. Both claimed to be true descendants of the nation of Israel. Samaritans descended from the northern kingdom of Israel while the Jews descended from the southern kingdom of Judah. The Jews believed Jerusalem was the only true place of worship while the Samaritans located the true place of worship at Mt. Gerizim. In 128 BC, the Jews destroyed the Samaritan temple at Mt. Gerizim. While the actual reasons for the hatred between the two groups is not known, it is known that the Jews believed the Samaritans were not pure from a religious viewpoint.
Yet...Jesus offered the drink of all drinks... living water.
Note that:
- Jesus spoke of a “gift.” The Greek term is dorea, used only here in the Gospel accounts, which actually signifies a "free gift" A "free gift" stimulates anyone's interest!
- Employing symbolism appropriate to the occasion, he mentions a "living" water, i.e., a water that bestows life. This could mean something quite significant to a person whose day-to-day existence was characterized by deadness.
- He associates these blessings with a "who," i.e., he suggested that she was talking at this very moment to someone special, a depository of "life."
There was a great deal of subtle information packed into a seemingly ordinary statement. It was, in fact, the gospel in miniature.
Consider:
- The offer of salvation to a rebellious world is the expression of God's grace; it is a free gift which cannot be merited or earned (Eph. 2:8-9; Rom. 6:23).
- It is available only through that Person who was conversing with the Samaritan woman, the Messiah (Jn. 14:6; Acts 4:11-12).
- The result is the promise of "life," i.e., union with God, for those who are dead in sin (Rom. 6:23; Eph. 2:1).
- "He told me everything that I have ever done... Could this be the Christ (Messiah)?"...
- Messiah - Messiah comes from a Hebrew word which means "anointed." The Greek word for Messiah is "Christos," which is translated " Christ" in English. The importance of the term comes from the custom of anointing with oil a person assuming an important office such as king or priest. For example, God told Samuel to anoint Saul king over Israel (1 Sam. 9:16-17). During New Testament times, the Jews were hoping that God would anoint a descendent of David as king of Israel for the purpose of restoring Israel's righteousness and freeing Israel from foreign domination. This divinely appointed king would be the Messiah. Thus, Jesus did not fit the Jewish expectation of a Messiah.
That is our example...Go and tell others what Christ Jesus has done for you!
Your connection with Jesus is your living water. As you cultivate your friendship with Jesus through prayer and time in the Bible, you'll discover refreshment - even during parched times.
Today people all around us are spiritually lost because they have never invited Jesus to become Lord and Savior of their lives. No matter where we live or what our nationality and societal “status” may be, we are called by God to share with others the salvation He offers.
DO WE UNDERSTAND THAT JESUS KNOWS OUR LIVES JUST AS HE DID THE SAMARITAN WOMAN? IF WE BELIEVE IT...THEN WHY ARE CHRISTIANS FAILING TO LIVE THE LIFE JESUS TEACHES US TO LIVE?
The Statement of Statements: Jesus died to teach us to live. We are to live teaching others of the “Living Way!”
