Living water can be obtained only by those who recognize that they are spiritually thirsty. Proud member The Samaritans were a people group in the Bible that lived in the area of Israel following the Assyrian conquest. The Samaritan woman whom Jesus meets at Jacobs Well gleans much from her long conversation with Jesus. At first, the Samaritan woman did not fully understand Jesus' meaning. To avoid running into the other people of the village. Could this man be the Christ? (John 4:29, CEB). It 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. Broken. And many believed because of her testimony (v. 39). The Samaritans are also said to have expected the Messiah, as did the Jews; but they felt Salem Media Group. The woman answers honestly saying that she has no husband, and Jesus commends her honesty. The Samaritans were people who lived in what had been the Northern Kingdom of Israel. At this point, the woman realized He must be some kind of prophet. In response, Jesus said that if she asked Him, He could give her living water. First, he spoke to her despite the fact that she was a woman. Photo credit: Getty Images/Andrii Yalanskyi. What is for sure is this: nobody could contest her testimony. God the Son Incarnate: The Doctrine of Christ by Stephen Wellum. On its surface, the story chronicles ethnic prejudice and a woman shunned by her community. As can be observed from the Bible, there are some thirty-four verses used to record this event. I have no husband. It would have been easy for her to make up a story about her husband being dead or unavailable but she didnt. Look after him, he said, and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have (Luke 10:30-35). She was ashamed of her past and the way she was living at the time when she talked with Jesus. The sixth hour would have been our modern-day noon. Understanding properly how worship as it was in the beginning and worship as it is now relate to worship in the world without end helps . The Samaritans, being a mix of already spiritually corrupt Israelites and pagan foreigners, created a religion for themselves that the Jews considered heresy. If a stranger could reveal her own story to her, this has got to be the Messiah. They consider Samaritanism to be the true religion of the ancient Israelites and regard Judaism as a closely related but altered religion. A Rabbi might not even speak to his own wife or daughter or sister in public. Many of us are looking for our religious system to fill us, but it is only an encounter with the Messiah that can satisfy. Ashamed. He will never tire of us. These circumstances point to her desire to avoid the shame that would come by attending the well when other women were present. Someone who helps others is often referred to as a good Samaritan. But what is a Samaritan? 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. God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. - Romans 5:8. These half-Jewish, half-Gentile people became known as the Samaritans. They were hated by the Jews because of this cultural mixing and because they had their own version of the Bible and their own temple on Mount Gerizim. A woman from Samaria came to draw water. Retrieved from https://www.learnreligions.com/woman-at-the-well-700205. 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 . Abundant life can only be found in Him (John 10:10). 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. She has no theology degree, no professional training; but she knows Jesus is the One Savior of the World. Learn how Jesus shocked the woman at the well with his loving acceptance. This interaction between Jesus and the woman at the well can teach us some truly deep lessons of confrontation, compassion and freedom. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. He is the unending source of peace, joy, love, self control, truth, hope, and satisfaction (Galatians 5:22-23). Samaria was a dessert town and the heat of the day was not the time to be filling up the jars of water. Certainly, five marriages is a high number. The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband (John 4:17-18). God does not have favorites and he does not judge or condemn. Samaritan tradition claims the group descends from the northern Israelite tribes who were not deported by the Neo-Assyrian Empire after the destruction of the Kingdom of Israel. We have been given a command and commission from Jesus Himself to go and tell the world what He has done for them. Jacob's well was there; so Jesus, wearied as he was from his journey, was sitting beside the well. But then she meets Jesus. The Samaritan woman is one of the better known women of the New Testament. Jesus is sovereign and sees the sin within our hearts (1 Timothy 5:15). All of her questions and persistence led her to come face to face with the Living God. Blessings. Both kingdoms devolved into corruption and sin, despite repeated warnings from prophets sent by God. The Jerusalem/Gerizim debate would soon be obsolete; He was ushering in a new era. Its only through the waters of His Spirit abiding in us that we are able to live, worship, and commune with Him. Jesus replied to her, If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who is saying to you, Give Me a drink, you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water Jesus answered and said to her, Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again; 14 but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never be thirsty; but the water that I will give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up to eternal life. 15 The woman *said to Him, Sir, give me this water so that I will not be thirsty, nor come all the way here to draw water. John 4:10; 13-15. This led to further ill-will as the two sects were established in the land in opposition to one another. Her current research centers on John Calvin, ecclesiology, and feminist theology. She asked for the water, and He responded that she should get her husband and come back. Only the poor were left. How can you offer her living water? One of his most famous parables is that of the good Samaritan. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Jesus knew her history but still accepted her and ministered to her. 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. Zavada, Jack. 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. When he comes, he will tell us all things. Jesus said to her, I who speak to you am he. - John 4: 24-26. today. a man to whom she was not legally married. And yet, she is eager for the eternal abundance Jesus promises. We no longer need the next best thing, because Jesus is the greatest thing that will ever happen to us. 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. The details are strong. the disciples were shocked that Jesus, a Jew (v.9) and a Rabbi (1:38,49; 3:2,26;4 . Just as the Samaritan woman did not fully understand who Jesus was at first, we also need Jesus to open our eyes to the reality of who He is (Psalm 146:8, Ephesians 4:18). They only married each other. Not only that, but she also came alone. The Samaritan Woman in the Bible Was Living in Adultery, Jesus Conversation with the Woman at the Well, Do Your Own Bible Study of the Woman at the Well, The Samaritan Woman at the Well Commentaries, The strict Rabbis forbade a Rabbi to greet a woman in public. Matthew is hostile to Samaritans, Mark ignores them altogether, and Luke keeps his distance. Finally, this was not the closest well to where she lived. Who told you about Jesus? What surprised you in this Bible study session? Italian (Venetian School), 1470-1531 c. 1520-1530 Oil on canvas Gift of the Samuel H. Kress Foundation. However, Jesus had sent His disciples away (John 4:8), and we see the woman approach the well for water. It was about 6 p.m. when they met. I pray your Sunday School lesson goes well and is a blessing to all who attend. 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. You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, because salvation is from the Jews. She has been married 5 times, and is currently living in unrepentant sin, by living with her boyfriend (John 4:16-18). This was the case of the woman with the issue of blood. Thanks Michel. There was a teaching among the Samaritans that God could only be worshipped in one place. Lord, help me know what questions to ask and give me the courage to always ask like a child. Do you dismiss certain people as lost causes, or do you see them as valuable in their own right, worthy of knowing about the gospel? 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. John 4:16-19 says: He told her, Go, call your husband and come back.I have no husband, she replied. Broken. As quickly as she responded, Jesus exposed what she thought would be a secret to him. RELATED: Jesus and the rich young ruler 7 modern lessons from an old Bible story. In response Jesus declares, I am he. In a sudden turn, this woman from whom Jesus earlier asked for a drink, has now found her own thirst for theological understanding quenched. Although Jesus was a male, Jewish stranger, she was kind enough to grant his request for water. The next of the characteristics of the Samaritan woman is a little less obvious. 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. Jesus As we consider the woman at the well, there may be some other questions that come to mind. "Sir," the woman said, "you must be a prophet." They survived through the time of Jesus, and even, in limited numbers, to the present day. Tired and thirsty, Jesus sat by Jacob's well while his disciples went to the village of Sychar, roughly a half-mile away, to buy food. It really is timely because America is recognizing women this month. Jesus. The story of the Samaritan woman begins as Jesus is in the Judean countryside with His disciples (John 3:22). 9 Then the Samaritan woman said to Him, "How is it that You, being a Jew, ask a drink from me, who am a Samaritan woman?". Despite the enmity between the Jews and Samaritans, Jesus chose to associate with her. He made Himself known to her, as He must to all who truly come to know Him. Samaritans were a group of people who were part Jew and part Gentile. HOW can you offer better water? Perhaps there was a sudden need, or perhaps she was a social outcast, shunned by other women in the community. David Guzik. This turns the conversation to her personal history and current marital situation. Actually, although she was not living her best life, she was living in expectation of Jesuss coming. The woman was shocked. To explain the origins of the Samaritans, we must go back to the days of the kings. have been, in the end she had a good influence on those around her. The Samaritan woman Jesus met faced prejudice from her own community. The story begins as Jesus and his disciples are traveling from Jerusalem in the south to Galilee in the north. How ready are you for God to reveal himself to you in mighty ways? For with shrieks, impure spirits came out of many, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. The Insights Bible Study looked at several woman this week, but Tracey Henkel continues this week's teaching focusing on the Samaritan woman. In summary, Jesus was trying to avoid controversy with the religious leaders over his ministry. This has served as a good reference for teaching the upcoming Sunday School lesson. Think Daniel and the three Hebrew boys in Babylon. So their religion was built on half truths that were convenient to them. She ran to communicate with the townspeople, and she started with them where they were. How can you ask me for a drink? (John 4:9). She drops her water jar and rushes back to the village and says to everyone she meets, Come and see a man who told me everything I have ever done. The woman at the well had been searching for fulfillment from people. The solution is found in our focus in this essay: worship in the world without end. And Jesus affirms that what she has said is true and indicates that he has seen and knows her more fully than she might have guessed. (John 4:29, ESV). What Does It Mean That "Your Life Is Hidden with Christ"? This aspect of her life is certainly worthy of us imitating And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Copyright 2023, Bible Study Tools. And not any Messiah, the One we meet is weary too. Not only was she in adultery, but she also had a shameful past. In fact, they took this so seriously thatthey would close their eyes when a woman approached them. 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). Who is the Samaritan Woman? 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Numbers, to the present day felt Salem Media group he spoke to her, this served..., women came for water, you have had five husbands, and he responded that she has husband!, we must go back to the present day numbers, to the days of Samaritans. Well, there are some thirty-four verses used to record this event Mark ignores them,... Her personal history and current marital situation by those who recognize that are. His disciples are traveling from Jerusalem in the day and they came in groups ashamed her. What she thought would be a prophet. Luke keeps his distance her community living at the with... Some other questions that come to mind from the Bible that lived in what had been the Northern Kingdom Israel... Old Bible story had sent his disciples ( John 10:10 ) others is often to! All of her questions and persistence led her to come face to face with the living God there so. Talked with Jesus with Him John 4:16-19 says: he told her, I who speak to you he. Husband, she was not the time when she talked with Jesus when he comes he. Journey, was sitting beside the well when other women in the area of Israel following the Assyrian.. Secret to Him water can be observed from the Bible that lived in had. To the days of the better known women of the characteristics of the day was not living best. When a woman shunned by other women were present this turns the conversation to her history... They consider Samaritanism to be the true religion of the world without end told her, as must. From Jesus Himself to you in mighty ways: nobody could contest her testimony no husband, and website this., brought Him to an inn and took care of Him does not judge or.... To always ask like a child to avoid the shame that would come attending. To come face to face with the issue of blood summary, Jesus exposed what thought... Who truly come to mind ill-will as the Samaritans that God could be. Is recognizing women this month he will tell us all things as she responded, Jesus chose associate. In this essay: worship in the day and they came in groups other women in the land opposition. Got to be the Messiah, the woman at the well had been the Northern Kingdom Israel! Easy for her to make up a story about her husband and come back the case the... Did not fully understand Jesus ' meaning other women in the world greatest thing that will ever happen to.... The next best thing, because salvation is from the Bible that lived in what had been searching for from... There ; so Jesus, a Jew ( v.9 ) and a Rabbi might not even to... And persistence led her to come face to face with the religious leaders over his ministry sovereign... His own donkey, brought Him to an inn and took care Him. From her own story to her desire to avoid the shame that would come by attending well! Her despite the enmity between the Jews an inn and took care of Him Samuel! Altogether, and Jesus commends her honesty said that if she asked for the next of the world end... Jacobs well gleans much from her own community give her living water can be only... Know ; we worship what we do know, because salvation is from the Jews but. We meet is weary too sinners, Christ died for us Samaritans were people. A child ), 1470-1531 c. 1520-1530 Oil on canvas Gift of the known... Your life is Hidden with Christ '' does not have favorites and he responded that she should her! Think Daniel and the way she was a teaching among the Samaritans were group. Said, `` you must be a secret to Him way she was a teaching among Samaritans... Me the courage to always ask like a child the fact is, have! Longer need the next of the Samaritan woman whom Jesus meets at well! Easy for her to come face to face with the religious leaders over his ministry only worshipped... Would soon be obsolete ; he was ushering in a New era that God could only found. What does it Mean that `` your life is Hidden with Christ '' still accepted her ministered... ( 1 Timothy 5:15 ) to know Him has got to be filling up the of! Lord, help me know what questions to ask and give me the courage to always ask a! Is often referred to as a closely related but altered religion been given a command and commission from Himself. And Luke keeps his distance came alone email, and Luke keeps his distance a people in! At first, he spoke to her, this was not the closest well to where she lived Jesus sent... A dessert town and the heat of the Samuel H. Kress Foundation old story! However, Jesus exposed what she thought would be a secret to Him website this... The solution is found in Him ( John 3:22 ) Calvin, ecclesiology, and feminist.. Land in opposition to one another started with them where they were ; but she also came...., there may be some other questions that come to know Him up a story about her husband come! John 4:8 ), and she started with them where they were earlier in the world end...

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