27. Jesus talks to a woman at the well
– John 4:1-28
John 6-9 “It was about the sixth hour. When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, ‘Will you give me a drink?’ (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.) The Samaritan woman said to him, ‘You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?’ (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans).”
The wells were typically located outside of the city walls by the road. Since it was very hot during the day, women would come to the well to draw water in the morning and evening. Why then, did the Samaritan woman come in the afternoon? It was because she wanted to avoid meeting people who knew her reputation. She was considered very promiscuous with her multiple husbands. Even the Samaritans would not speak to her. Still, Jesus did.
Furthermore, it was unusual for Jesus to speak to a Samaritan in general. Samaritans and Jews had a long standing prejudice. Historically, when Samaria fell to the Assyrians, many Jews were deported to Assyria. In order to help bring peace, foreigners were brought in to Samaria. As time went on, the remaining Jews began marrying and reproducing with the foreigners. The new mixed breed was called, Samaritans. The pure Jews felt betrayed and considered all Samaritans impure. In fact, the Jews refused to let any Samaritans into Jerusalem to worship God. The Samaritans had to build their own temple parallel to Jerusalem on Mount Gerizim. Jews did everything they could to avoid going through Samaria. In every way, they separated themselves. Therefore, it was very unusual for Jesus to stop in Samaria. More so, the men would traditionally not speak to women no matter the woman’s ethnicity or social status. But, Jesus didn’t care about prejudices or social norms. Jesus wasn’t afraid of breaking social barriers. Just as God created everyone, he also came to redeem everyone. The gospel is for everyone. Nothing can keep someone from God, not past sins, race, or social status. Jesus crossed all barriers to share the gospel, and we who follow him must do no less. Don’t let anything hold you back from sharing his good news.
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.”
When Jesus spoke with the Samaritan woman he compared himself to water. Our bodies thirst for water. We need it to survive. In the same way, our souls thirst for fellowship with God. We need him to survive. The only one who can satisfy us is God. God created a special void in your heart that only he can fill.
John 4:25-26 “The woman said, ‘I know that the Messiah’ (called Christ) ‘is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.’ Then Jesus declared, ‘I who speak to you am he.”
The woman was aware that Christ was going to come to the earth. She knew that he was the only one who could provide true understanding. She refused to trust man’s word and only trusted God’s. Little did she know, she was speaking to Jesus. He was there answering all of her questions. You can trust that Jesus provided us with greater understanding about him through the conversation with the woman. This conversation is also interesting because Jesus revealed himself little by little to the woman. He did not overwhelm her from the beginning. He let her speak her mind and heart. He let her share with him her opinions. In the same way, when you share Christ with others take on a similar method. Jesus sparked her interest and listened to her beliefs. He was quick to listen and slow to speak. He provided his truths when the woman needed them. Cherish the people you speak with and truly try to understand where they are coming from before speaking.
