conversation, that she is so well known. The Samaritans were people who lived in what had been the Northern Kingdom of Israel. But in this time period, it was not unreasonable. Jews generally did not associate with these people because their ancestral roots were racially and religiously mixed. Sin will never satisfy their deepest desires here on earth. 3 So he left Judea and went back once more to Galilee. It was known that Samaria was a center of Baal's worship because he was one of the most attractive gods in the ancient world due to his commission of being the god of storms, rain and fertility, which the land of Samaria was longing for. In the end, Many Samaritans from that city believed in him because of the womans testimony (John 4:39, NRSV). And yet,Jesus, in His divine intentionality sought to meet this specific woman at this specific time. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. Whether He was healing lepers, eating with tax collectors, or speaking to Samaritans, Jesus constantly demonstrated care for those the world had rejected and showed that He didnt care what the religious people thought of Him. Biblical scholars tell us that the well was the gathering place for the women of the town, to share the latest news at the cool parts of the day. They survived through the time of Jesus, and even, in limited numbers, to the present day. Living water can be obtained only by those who recognize that they are spiritually thirsty. A longing for more and more of God, but not despairing thirst.. Drawing water alone in the heat of the day could only indicate one thing. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. And this caused a bitter feud between the two groups. By asking her about her past 5 husbands and the current state of her life, he forced her to acknowledge that she was not living a life worthy of her worth. There was a teaching among the Samaritans that God could only be worshipped in one place. These circumstances point to his desire to avoid the embarrassment that would come from attending the well when other women . This post contains affiliate links. Ashamed. Equipping Christian Women to Abide in God's Word. The Actions and Speech of the Character. Weary from the countless times we have been rejected, hiding in certain areas because of shame, thirsty for living water, oftentimes we come to the well of religion, the well of an empty relationship, the well of work and striving in the heat of the day, hoping others wont see or recognize us. Qualities of Abigail in the Bible lessons from the woman with beauty and brains, 8 Amazing lessons from Mary the mother of Jesus . Imagine how freeing it must have been for her to find out that although she wasnt allowed in temple, she could still talk to God. But just as our growth in faith is not only for our own benefit, the Samaritan woman takes her new learning and is propelled into action around her calling. If you want to share this resource with others, please share the link to the blog post. All rights reserved. Cast out. Many of us are looking for our religious system to fill us, but it is only an encounter with the Messiah that can satisfy. Typically, women came for water earlier in the day and they came in groups. So their religion was built on half truths that were convenient to them. In my weakness He is made strong. Jesus acknowledged her past but he did not define her by it. He will never tire of us. As we reflect on the woman at the well and what we have observed in her story, there are a few lessons that can be applied. Another of the characteristics of the Samaritan woman is about her spiritual condition. The other women would have gathered their water early in the morning, before the heat of the sun beat down on them, before the tasks of the day wearied them . The longer she talks with him, the more her understanding grows until she sees the full truth: Jesus is the Messiah. Article Images Copyright 2023 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. But she quickly changed the direction of the conversation to talking about his prophetic gift and worship. But by the time she was done talking to Jesus, the mess of her life became a mighty message that she was not afraid to run and tell other about. They had their own unique version of the five books written by Moses, the Pentateuch, but rejected the writings of the prophets and Jewish traditions. We focus on the next best way to organize a closet. Found. We desire a fulfillment, rest, and joy that cannot be found in another person, place or project. A thousand AMENs Iona. I relate the Samaritan women to myself, no matter where you come from or what you have done in your past, the Lord forgives and you can still have a purpose filled life! Look at all of the questions she asks: WHERE do you get this living water? To explain the origins of the Samaritans, we must go back to the days of the kings. It could have been that she wanted to come to the well to draw water when she knew she could do it alone. Above all, the story, which unfolds in John 4:1-40, suggests that Jesus is a loving and accepting God, and we should follow his example. Samaritan Woman at the Well Bible Study Video. Though we are not told this womans name, she has the longest conversation with Jesus of any character in the book of John. She is probably remembered by some, more for her moral condition than anything else. I pray your Sunday School lesson goes well and is a blessing to all who attend. What does it mean that the fields are white for harvest (John 4:35). The details are strong. First, Jesus is revealed as the Living Water (John 4:13-14). For centuries Jews and Samaritans had rejected each other. Jesus knows that the woman has had five husbands and that the man she is living with now is not her husband. Lets take a deeper look into Gods Word. However, the contents of this blog post may not be modified, compiled, combined with other content, copied, recorded, synchronized, transmitted, translated, formatted, distributed, publicly displayed, publicly performed, reproduced, given away, used to create derivative works and otherwise used or exploited (including for-profit or commercial gain) without the creators expressed permission. marks perfectly the spot where Jesus conversed with her. 17 The woman answered and said to Him, I have no husband.Jesus *said to her, You have correctly said, I have no husband; 18 for you have had five husbands, and the one whom you now have is not your husband; this which you have said is true. John 4:16-18. He gives us new desires and a new purpose, that will not be found in any earthly thing, but only in His kingdom (Colossians 3:4-10, Matthew 6:33, Romans 8:28). But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. What Do We Learn from Reading Jesus Genealogy? What did Jesus mean when He said, You worship what you do not know in John 4:22? Jesus encounter with this woman brings to light four core beliefs or exhortations that modern-day Christians can learn. Redirecting to /core/journals/new-testament-studies/article/abs/marriage-and-the-samaritan-woman/0C99A409746F3DC20A14FBDDC0D7B8E0 All those details combined made her ready to receive Jesus. Who was she really? Dustyn Elizabeth Keepers is a Ph.D. candidate in Systematic Theology at Wheaton College Graduate School. Although Jesus was a male, Jewish stranger, she was kind enough to grant his request for water. The Woman at the Well Bible Story Study Guide. Ashamed. in Matthew 22:23-30. At first, the Samaritan woman did not fully understand Jesus' meaning. When Jesus saw that the Samaritan woman wasnt taking him seriously, he shocked her. Why did Jesus stop to talk to her? The Samaritans were mongrels in the eyes of Jews. Instead, through her conversation with Jesus, we discover a model for discipleship that is open to discovering a fuller understanding of Gods action in the world. The Samaritan woman in John 4:1-29 reveals this truth about us: that we are blind to our own need until the Anointed one opens our eyes. She models a way of doing this with both conviction about what she has learned in the past and also openness to discovering new things about what God is doing in the world. Jesus stayed two days, teaching the Samaritan people about the Kingdom of God. "Sir," the woman said, "you must be a prophet." Jesus does not judge this womans history, though many Christian interpreters have. Learn Religions. Jesus and His disciples had left Judea and traveled north toward Galilee. It really is timely because America is recognizing women this month. That scenario would certainly be similar to the example used by the Sadducees How ready are you for God to reveal himself to you in mighty ways? the city and began telling others about Him. God is not bound by time or place and hes not turned off by our condition. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.. Women usually drew water earlier in the day and in groups. To avoid running into the other people of the village. Because of His magnificent sacrifice, our life should exalt His name (Matthew 5:16). Jesus is the Messiah. The solution is found in our focus in this essay: worship in the world without end. is probably because of the great amount of scripture devoted to the conversation between her and The Samaritans were a racially mixed society with Jewish and pagan ancestry. And many believed because of her testimony (v. 39). When Jesus chose to engage her in conversation this was new and different. Her name is Photina. She was an honest woman (John 4:16-18). Throughout this conversation she demonstrates a posture of discipleship, learning from Jesus, and now she is called as an evangelist. But it was not altogether for their Yet, we often don't see that the satisfaction we so desire can only be filled by a Messiah who speaks in spirit and truth. God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. - Romans 5:8. Its possible that this was a genuine question, but its more likely that she was just trying to avoid the current topic of conversation. John 4:7-19 Samaritan Woman. Jesus is the living water that we need. There is no moving forward until you can clean up the immediate mess around you. She was a perceptive woman (John 4:19). Or, perhaps, these words press on an area in your own heart. revealed to her that He knew she had been married five times. can be observed from the language of the scriptures, that she did not understand what Jesus meant Jesus tackled the barriers against women by talking to her. Why would I want to be strong and self-sufficient? To worship in truth means that we worship in accordance with what has been revealed in Gods word. He would make Samaria, not Jerusalem, His seat of government. Photo credit: Guercino [Public domain] via, 4 Amazing Things We Can Learn from the Woman at the Well. Alyssa Roatstudied writing, theology, and the Bible at Taylor University. It starts right there where Jesus wants you to see yourself. How can you offer her living water? It is only in Jesus that we will be saved from our sins and made new in Christ (Titus 3:5, Galatians 2:20). You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, because salvation is from the Jews. Nehemiah, a Jew, curried favor with the king and was able to return to Jerusalem to rebuild. All rights reserved. Only God knows the fullness of her life and ours, but regardless of what her former life might He will never dissatisfy. To read it for yourself, see John 4. The history of Samaria reminds us that no matter who you are or where you come from, there is Good News through Jesus Christ. Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. She reveres this place but is curious about this stranger who promises something greater. He conveys these facts without the slightest sense of criticism or condemnation. Like all Samaritans, she traces her ancestry back to Jacob. 12 It is remarkable, for example, that in examining the Old Testament background of the expression 'living water' they concentrate on the symbols, Wisdom, Torah, Spirit, and ignore the figurative use of water in regard to women (for which, see below). The next best item to buy. As Jesus talked with her, he tried to get her to understand the idea of living water. Also, for providing a wealth of contextual detail. We come with our water jug to get the water we thirst for. The Samaritan made a personal touch that ministered healing to the injured man. This was a strange time of day and she was all by herself. Leaving behind her water jar, the woman returned to town, inviting the people to "Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did." In fact, they took this so seriously thatthey would close their eyes when a woman approached them. The Argument from Contingency: A Proof for God, 6 Verses to Cling to When You Are Overwhelmed. Characteristics of Christ's Outreach John 4:1-41 Introduction: Our church is in a new phase of outreach. We submit our desires, gifts, talents, time, and money to Him (James 4:7). Samaria as a city was the capital of the northern kingdom of Israel. John 4:25-26 NASB. The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband (John 4:17-18). Firstly, she was poor. The Samaritan woman is one of the better known women of the New Testament. And that was at the temple they had built for themselves at Mount Gerazim. When he comes, he will tell us all things. Jesus said to her, I who speak to you am he. - John 4: 24-26. Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain Image/Nicolaes Roosendael. For with shrieks, impure spirits came out of many, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. She ran to communicate with the townspeople, and she started with them where they were. The Samaritan woman had a past she was not proud of. The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. She had five husbands and she was living with a man who was not her husband. The story of the Samaritan woman begins as Jesus is in the Judean countryside with His disciples (John 3:22). This woman came for water at an unusual hour and she came alone. Cast out. She was an evangelistic woman (John 4:28-29, 39). "The Woman at the Well Bible Story Study Guide." Instead, Jesus flipped the question. Jesus answered, "I who speak to you am he." All rights reserved. We have heard the old saying curiosity killed the cat. I have come to learn that the Lord loves inquiring minds. when He spoke of Himself having living waters (John 4:10). The Good Samaritan, then, was not a real person. Very often, meeting the needs of others can be messy. He says: 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. - John 4:10. Yet, throughout the years she has often been maligned or misunderstood because of her sexual history. Proud member However, the flustered expert wanted to justify himself, so he asked, And who is my neighbor? (Luke 10:29). He asked her to go get her husband. Why would she walk to a farther distance at the hottest time of day?! What is a Samaritan in the Bible? The Argument from Contingency: A Proof for God, 6 Verses to Cling to When You Are Overwhelmed. Samaria, the name of that kingdom's capital, was located between Galilee in the north and Judea in the south. New International Version Jesus Talks With a Samaritan Woman 4 Now Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard that he was gaining and baptizing more disciples than John 2 although in fact it was not Jesus who baptized, but his disciples. We have to do some historical time travel. She was trying to find out from the One she perceived to be a prophet where the correct place of worship was. There were even Pharisees who were called the bruised and bleeding Pharisees because they shut their eyes when they saw a woman on the street and so walked into walls and houses!, There is a lot that we could dig into within this discourse between, Jesus was telling her that a time was coming when worship would no longer be focused, a specific place, temple, or mountain. The human tendency is to judge others because of stereotypes, customs, or prejudices. Meanwhile, Jesus told his disciples the harvest of souls was ready, sown by the prophets, writers of the Old Testament and John the Baptist. As can be observed from the Bible, there are some thirty-four verses used to record this event. three. conversation. This woman without a name is a wonderful model for all of us on our own journey of faith. It may also have been that she was married and divorced five times. She knew that the Messiah would know the secrets of everyone. 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