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! (Barclay). Jesus is the living water that we need. The woman at the well was a Samaritan. But look deeper, and you'll realize it reveals a great deal about Jesus' character. Jesus knows her past and her pain, but He also knows her purpose. Opportunities abound, but we need to be wise and understand how best to take adavatage of the situation. John 4:25-26 NASB. Jesus has paused to wait on you, to give you living water. (John 4:19, NLT) Now Jesus had her full attention! She had five husbands and she was living with a man who was not her husband. Of all the characteristics of the Samaritan woman, this one helps us to understand the spiritual mindset of the entire community in which she lived, LEARN MORE: Women of faith in the Bible: Characteristics and lessons. Yet, throughout the years she has often been maligned or misunderstood because of her sexual history. How to use Samaritan in a sentence. If a stranger could reveal her own story to her, this has got to be the Messiah. Not only was she in adultery, but she also had a shameful past. To avoid running into the other people of the village. Who is a woman you know who may be bearing the weight of sin, guilt, and shame? The Samaritan woman is one of the better known women of the New Testament. As we consider the woman at the well, there may be some other questions that come to mind. She was a perceptive woman (John 4:19). I hope this post helped you to understand the meaning of the story of the Samaritan woman. Despite the enmity between the Jews and Samaritans, Jesus chose to associate with her. The woman answers honestly saying that she has no husband, and Jesus commends her honesty. For centuries Jews and Samaritans had rejected each other. At first, the Samaritan woman did not fully understand Jesus' meaning. These half-Jewish, half-Gentile people became known as the Samaritans. journey sat down at the well. The Samaritans were people who lived in what had been the Northern Kingdom of Israel. They survived through the time of Jesus, and even, in limited numbers, to the present day. When she replied that she had no husband, He said, You are right when you say you have no husband. At this point, the woman realized He must be some kind of prophet. Italian (Venetian School), 1470-1531 c. 1520-1530 Oil on canvas Gift of the Samuel H. Kress Foundation. This article is part of the She Is Called Women of the Bible Study Series. She decides to take their theological discussion a step further and asks him about the proper place for worship, one of the major differences between Jews and Samaritans. She was a logical woman (John 4:11-12). Then you can get clean, clear direction to walk in light and life. The Samaritan woman whom Jesus meets at Jacobs Well gleans much from her long conversation with Jesus. Why would I want to be strong and self-sufficient? Just as the Samaritan woman was looking to men to satisfy her soul, we also look to things outside of Christ to give our hearts meaning and purpose (John 4:14). The second of the characteristics of the Samaritan woman has to do with her social status. In the end, Many Samaritans from that city believed in him because of the womans testimony (John 4:39, NRSV). They consider Samaritanism to be the true religion of the ancient Israelites and regard Judaism as a closely related but altered religion. Throughout his ministry Jesus did these things, specifically to set women free from societal norms and expectations that did not fully allow them to serve God. God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth. John 4:22-24 NASB. Someone who helps others is often referred to as a good Samaritan. But what is a Samaritan? All rights reserved. Lord, help me to not be afraid to ask questions and search out truth my search for truth will always lead to you because you are the TRUTH. The Samaritan woman was considered inferior because of her sex, ethnicity, and relationship history, but none of that mattered to Jesus because he saw her need for salvation. Years earlier, Babylon had invaded Jewish territory and had taken the brightest and strongest in captivity. A knowledge which explains her astonished reaction and unbelief (v. 9). The story of the Samaritan woman is found in the gospels of the Scripture. God is not bound by time or place and hes not turned off by our condition. 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. Another reason for her familiarity might be the remarkable change that occurred in Redirecting to /core/journals/new-testament-studies/article/abs/marriage-and-the-samaritan-woman/0C99A409746F3DC20A14FBDDC0D7B8E0 It is only in Jesus that we will be saved from our sins and made new in Christ (Titus 3:5, Galatians 2:20). The Jewish attitude towards Samaritans is faithfully reflected in the New Testament, especially in Jesus' controversial choice of a "good Samaritan" to attack over-pious Jewish practices (Luke 10:30-37). When that is gone, then you can see Jesus. Although they had never met before, Jesus revealed that he knew she'd had five husbands and was now living with a man who was not her husband. All this happened approximately seven-hundred years earlier. However, the Samaritans remaining in the land opposed the rebuilding efforts and caused problems for Nehemiah and his fellow workers (Nehemiah 6:1-14). Through this statement, he shows her that His word is true. Jesus did it to set women free to access the gospel in full. Even though the earthly Jesus felt tired and thirsty, he kept his divine appointment with this woman. As Jesus talked with her, he tried to get her to understand the idea of living water. The 5 husbands of the Samaritan woman remains a mystery because she never addressed it. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners (Mark 2:17). Christians have long wrestled with the continuities and discontinuities of worship, and confusion in this area has often led to problems with theology and practice of worship. She was so happy that she ran to tell the rest of her village and the whole town was saved. Hes especially interested in the ministry to save women. And boy, does he have a blessing for the ministry that women offer to help others. The Samaritan woman whom Jesus meets at Jacob's Well gleans much from her long conversation with Jesus. Our lives are always looking to the next thing. Like the Samaritan Woman, we are thirsty. A religious man wanted to limit who a neighbor was, and thus justify himself. What do you hear the Spirit saying to you/your family/your church/your community. This led to further ill-will as the two sects were established in the land in opposition to one another. And He knows your purpose too. Samaritans were a group of people who were part Jew and part Gentile. This boundary crossing between a Jew and a Samaritan sparks a conversation about their theological differences. Jesus told him, Go and do likewise (Luke 10:36-37). The Bible character we know as woman at the well has one of the most freeing testimonies in the Word of God. How can you love her? Your email address will not be published. Are you a woman who desires more out of life? First, he spoke to her despite the fact that she was a woman. husbands were dead or alive. They did not acknowledge the rest. Abundant life can only be found in Him (John 10:10). He would make Samaria, not Jerusalem, His seat of government. Christ and the Samaritan Woman depicts a Biblical scene in which Jesus, while traveling with his disciples in the region of Samaria, meets a Samaritan woman at a well.Jesus asks the woman for water for his bucket, defying the custom of Jews and Samaritans avoiding each other in society. In addition, interpreters use the story to encourage particular evangelistic practices. The Jews hated the Samaritans more than they hated the gentiles. This was the beginning of a long-lasting hatred between Jews and Samaritans. Look at all of the questions she asks: WHERE do you get this living water? She may have been Let Him give you His water today. Thank you for clarifying tones to use when enacting this reading. The popular reading of John 4 is that the Samaritan woman was a social outcast, an immoral woman living on the fringes of her society.2 As an example3 of the popular view, 4 Tom Wright5 says in his daily readings on John: The woman has had a life composed of one emotional upheaval after another, with enough husbands We focus on the next best way to organize a closet. Proud member What you have just said is quite true.Sir, the woman said, I can see that you are a prophet.. The following are some outstanding characteristics of the Samaritan woman: She was an observant woman (John 4:9). The woman at the well argues with Jesus The Samaritan Woman. 3 So he left Judea and went back once more to Galilee. The living water that Jesus was offering her would satisfy her souls desires in a way that she had not yet experienced. The Samaritan woman speaks to us about kindness and treating people like human beings, even when we ourselves get the rotten end of the stick. Cast out. When he left, the people told the woman, " we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the savior of the world." An expert in the law stood up to test Jesus and asked what he must do to inherit eternal life. That scenario would certainly be similar to the example used by the Sadducees She reveres this place but is curious about this stranger who promises something greater. When Jesus is our Messiah, He becomes the Lord of our life. God does not have favorites and he does not judge or condemn. The sixth hour would have been our modern-day noon. Sadly, we do not even notice the aching question behind our search for the next best thing. Woman of Integrity in the Bible Abigail, Sermon on Ingratitude - Overcoming Ingratitude*, Sermon on Ecclesiastes 10 - The True Meaning to Life #12, Seek Ye First The Kingdom of God Sermon Outline (Part 1), Naaman Sermon - The Sabotaging Attitudes of Naaman the Leper, Sermon on Infant Baptism | We Don't Practice Infant Baptism, Sermon on Giving to the Lord - Better Attitudes Toward Giving, Sermon on Zacharias | 3 Powerful Lessons You Need to Know. Why would she walk to a farther distance at the hottest time of day?! We are called to daily take up our cross and follow Him (Matthew 16:24-26). Jesus said to her, "Give Me a drink," 8 for His disciples had gone away into the town to buy food. In the book of Acts, after Jesus' ascension into heaven, his apostles carried on his work in Samaria and to the Gentile world. We may have to get our hands dirty. Terms of Use: The contents of this blog post are restricted to your personal use only. 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 responds honestly and succinctly, I have no husband (4:17). She thus asked Him about the true worship, whether it was of the Jews or the Samaritans. Both kingdoms devolved into corruption and sin, despite repeated warnings from prophets sent by God. God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. - Romans 5:8. Lord, help me know what questions to ask and give me the courage to always ask like a child. We desire a fulfillment, rest, and joy that cannot be found in another person, place or project. Like all women in Israelite society, the Samaritan woman too had to face derisive attitude and conceptous treatment. See my full disclosure for more details. We come to Christ to be filled, to be forgiven; and the void that is filled by Christ in our life overflows so that we desire to proclaim His excellencies (1 Peter 2:9) and make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19-20). Jesus encounter with this woman brings to light four core beliefs or exhortations that modern-day Christians can learn. As he pressed the point, telling her that with this water she would never thirst again, her attitude became rotten. Meanwhile, Jesus told his disciples the harvest of souls was ready, sown by the prophets, writers of the Old Testament and John the Baptist. And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. The Samaritan woman knew what it was like to be dealt some bad blows in life but she did not use that as an excuse to be rotten to others. What Do We Learn from Reading Jesus Genealogy? After asking the Samaritan woman for a drink, He responds to her by offering her something greater. Lets take a deeper look into Gods Word. The nameless woman at the well was called to be a disciple and evangelist. Years ago as I pondered this poor soul we know as the Samaritan woman, I thought this is who I am, rejected, abandoned, full of shame, and longing for a drink of living water, but not even knowing what it was I longed for. So their religion was built on half truths that were convenient to them. After King Solomon ruled over the Israelites Gods people the unwise actions of his son Rehoboam in the tenth century BC led to a schism in which the kingdom was split into the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah, each with its own king. Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain Image/Nicolaes Roosendael. It may also have been that she was married and divorced five times. Characteristics of Christ's Outreach John 4:1-41 Introduction: Our church is in a new phase of outreach. Drawing water alone in the heat of the day could only indicate one thing. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth., The woman said, I know that Messiah (called Christ) is coming. Meet us in this story from Scripture and in our lives this day. is probably because of the great amount of scripture devoted to the conversation between her and by the Assyrians (2 Kings 17:24-29). Misty Honnold is the Founder and Director of the non-profit organization The Single MOM KC. Jesus meets this Samaritan woman at Jacobs Well after a mornings journey and disregards social custom by asking her for a drink. when He spoke of Himself having living waters (John 4:10). The story of the woman at the well is one of the most well known in the Bible; many Christians can easily give a summary of it. It starts right there where Jesus wants you to see yourself. 2) Salvation comes only to those who confess and repent of their sin and desire forgiveness. She was an honest woman (John 4:16-18). Who in your life witnessed to you that they knew and were known by Jesus? Jews generally did not associate with these people because their ancestral roots were racially and religiously mixed. We also see her kindness when she runs to announce to the entire community that the Messiah had come. No matter where you are or what you are doing, you can worship God whenever or wherever. She struggled with shame, which is evident by the time of the day she journeyed to the well. The Samaritan woman's name or age is not revealed in the story of her meeting with Jesus. Throughout this conversation she demonstrates a posture of discipleship, learning from Jesus, and now she is called as an evangelist. Proud member Rev. This history often colors our reading of this episode, so before diving into the rest of her conversation with Jesus, lets look at this aspect more closely. Photo credit: Getty Images/Andrii Yalanskyi. Biblical scholars tell us that the well was the gathering place for the. God the Son Incarnate: The Doctrine of Christ by Stephen Wellum. She is honest. 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. Samaritan woman was blessed to believe that Jesus was the promised Messiah. No matter who you are or what your past is, God is interested in you. But in this time period, it was not unreasonable. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. The Samaritans began taking possession of the land of Israel after Israel was taken captive by the Assyrians. To fully grasp the story of the woman at the well, it's important to understand who the Samaritans were--a mixed-race people, who had intermarried with the Assyrians centuries before. Salem Media Group. Take time to look at the Samaritan woman inside yourself this week. Nehemiah, a Jew, curried favor with the king and was able to return to Jerusalem to rebuild. 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