The Bible mentions plenty of stories about Samaritans, and the hatred between Jews and Samaritans features prominently in the Gospels. can be observed from the language of the scriptures, that she did not understand what Jesus meant Let Him give you His water today. Divorce in order to gain a more socially advantageous marriage was also not uncommon, though it is unclear if the Samaritans allowed women to apply for it without a male guardian as the Romans may have. After all, anybody who knew her was not interested in the icky details of her life. 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 . 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. 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. Here are a few of the characteristics of the Samaritan woman that stand out. The Samaritans were a people group in the Bible that lived in the area of Israel following the Assyrian conquest. Let me say YES Give me what I long for. She seemed surprised that Jesus, being a Its no longer about burnt offering, sacrifices, or rituals, but from a heart of sincerity and love for God. 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. Jacob's well was there." [1] John's Gospel goes on to describe a conversation between Jesus and a Samaritan woman (called Photini in Orthodox . The story begins as Jesus and his disciples are traveling from Jerusalem in the south to Galilee in the north. Lord, when you present me with life-giving water, let me respond with exuberance and longing desire. Dustyn is also an ordained minister of Word and sacrament in the Reformed Church in America and previously served as a pastor at North Holland Reformed Church in Holland, Michigan. This woman had been living a sinful life but by the time she was finished talking to Jesus, she received salvation in fill. It didnt help that the temple, where Gods people were to worship, was located in the southern kingdom. Zavada, Jack. All of us need to repent of our sins and leave them in the past; then, with our mistakes behind Broken. 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. She did not perceive that Jesus was offering her eternal life. #1 She just wanted to not have to suffer the indignity of going to the well and having to interact with the very people who treated her badly. It was about the sixth hour. Testament. A woman came to the well where he sat down to rest. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Biblical scholars tell us that the well was the gathering place for the. She was a perceptive woman (John 4:19). The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. He conveys these facts without the slightest sense of criticism or condemnation. She was so happy that she ran to tell the rest of her village and the whole town was saved. However, the Samaritans remaining in the land opposed the rebuilding efforts and caused problems for Nehemiah and his fellow workers (Nehemiah 6:1-14). She is the co-author ofDear Hero and has 200+ bylines in publications ranging fromThe Christian Communicator toKeys for Kids. The woman perceived Jesus as a prophet because He gently called out her sin and told me everything I ever did (John 4:29). He will never tire of us. Copyright 2023, Bible Study Tools. Why would she walk to a farther distance at the hottest time of day?! Who told you about Jesus? Most women would come early in the morning or late in the evening to collect water. And many believed because of her testimony (v. 39). Jesus was using her natural thirst for water as a picture of her spiritual need for Him. possibility that she had been divorced five times because of adultery, for she was then living with Lord, let me realize my weakness and my need for a Savior day after day. Copyright 2014 Light From God's Word. 2. God does not have favorites and he does not judge or condemn. Jesus saw our sin and was willing to shed His blood and endure immense suffering for the sake of our satisfaction and eternal life. She struggled with shame, which is evident by the time of the day she journeyed to the well. Abundant life can only be found in Him (John 10:10). John 4:25-26 NASB. Lord, help me not to be so caught up in rules that I would miss you. In the ninth year of Hoshea, the Assyrians took 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. He asked her to go get her husband. Zavada, Jack. If you are a Bible study teacher, you are free to allow this content to influence the lessons you teach or the sermons you present. Thank you Rose for sharing . Terms of Use: The contents of this blog post are restricted to your personal use only. She is a literary agent atC.Y.L.E., the publicity manager atMountain Brook Ink, and a freelance editor withSherpa Editing Services. The Priceless Woman Virtues of a Godly Woman. After Israels fall, Samaria as a region was in the central area of what used to be the northern kingdom. Another reason for her familiarity might be the remarkable change that occurred in She goes immediately and tells her family and friends. Found. A knowledge which explains her astonished reaction and unbelief (v. 9). A woman from Samaria came to draw water. Why would I want to be strong and self-sufficient? He asked her for water and this opened a conversation about worship. Misty equips, trains and empowers women to discover the source of their strength in Christ. These circumstances point to her desire to avoid the shame that would come by attending the well when other women were present. her life. 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). The Jerusalem/Gerizim debate would soon be obsolete; He was ushering in a new era. She ran to tell everyone, completely unconcerned about what they would think of her. Why is her nationality important? Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. When Jesus revealed himself as the Living Water to the woman at the well, his message was strikingly similar to his revelation as the Bread of Life: I am the bread of life. Copyright 2002-2023 Got Questions Ministries. The Samaritan woman Jesus met faced prejudice from her own community. 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. Take time to look at the Samaritan woman inside yourself this week. 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 . She was an honest woman (John 4:16-18). I pray your Sunday School lesson goes well and is a blessing to all who attend. 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. She came to draw water at the hottest part of the day, instead of the usual morning or evening times, because she was shunned and rejected by the other women of the area for her immorality. The woman at the well did not have a great life. Jew, would talk to her but she seemed perfectly willing to draw Him water from the deep well. three. revealed to her that He knew she had been married five times. How ready are you for God to reveal himself to you in mighty ways? In response, Jesus said that if she asked Him, He could give her living water. When someone upsets us, or they no longer fulfill our happiness, we walk away, looking for our next relationship. Here are a couple I recommend: Check Out These Other Posts and Resources: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. What surprised you in this Bible study session? See my full disclosure for more details. Whether we feel called to evangelize as she does or we are called to use our gifts in other ways, her story reminds us that our callings are opportunities to turn personal growth in faith into action for the sake of others. What you have just said is quite true.Sir, the woman said, I can see that you are a prophet.. Over and over, Jesus comes to the weak and broken. Through conversation with the Samaritan woman, we see Jesus reveal Himself three times throughout the story. Alyssa Roatstudied writing, theology, and the Bible at Taylor University. Jesus loved her. She struggled with shame, which is evident by the time of the day she journeyed to the well. He saw her potential to become a fully committed daughter of God. Rev. What did Jesus mean when He said, I am the Bread of Life (John 6:35)? In her story there is hope for everyone. For with shrieks, impure spirits came out of many, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. The Samaritans were a racially mixed society with Jewish and pagan ancestry. As a Samaritan, she had similar beliefs so she should have know what Jesus was saying. For centuries Jews and Samaritans had rejected each other. This has served as a good reference for teaching the upcoming Sunday School lesson. Who in your life witnessed to you that they knew and were known by Jesus? One reason Women usually drew water earlier in the day and in groups. Not only was she in adultery, but she also had a shameful past. 19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah there. Stuck in sin. This was the case of the woman with the issue of blood. Through this statement, he shows her that His word is true. When she discovers his identity as the Messiah she leaves her water jar, much like the disciples left their nets, and becomes an effective evangelist to her community. And that was at the temple they had built for themselves at Mount Gerazim. By the 20th century the Samaritan population dwindled to fewer than 200 individuals, but it grew steadily to about 800 in the 2010s. She was a receptive woman (John 4:13-15, 21-25). When that is gone, then you can see Jesus. Or, perhaps, these words press on an area in your own heart. When we put our faith and trust in Him as the Living Water, we can bank on the fact that the well will never run dry (Psalm 37:4). Matthew is hostile to Samaritans, Mark ignores them altogether, and Luke keeps his distance. Jesuss mention of the future raises her hopes for the coming Messiah. Characteristics of Christ's Outreach John 4:1-41 Introduction: Our church is in a new phase of outreach. 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." So the woman said to them, "Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did" (v. 29). How can you offer her living water? Firstly, she was poor. Photo credit: Guercino [Public domain] via, 4 Amazing Things We Can Learn from the Woman at the Well. And, third, he asked her to get him a drink of water, although using her cup or jar would have made him ceremonially unclean. Initiating a conversation with the woman shows that Jesus wasnt concerned about political correctness. The Bible mentions plenty of stories about Samaritans, and the hatred between Jews and Samaritans features prominently in the Gospels. One of his most famous parables is that of the good Samaritan. However, the Gospel brought hope to Samaria. Interpreters cel-ebrate John 4:4 -42 as a story of hope for all sinners, even those women who sin in the same way the Samaritan woman did. 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. He broke through the cultural barriers in order to love others. What do you hear the Spirit saying to you/your family/your church/your community. The Samaritan bandaged up the man's wounds and poured oil and wine on his injuries. But He took a shortcut through Samaria. Today, Samaria is in what is now the northern West Bank. In reply Jesus said: A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. In 721 B.C., the northern kingdom of Israel fell to the Assyrians. He tells us to ASK, SEEK, and KNOCK. Another of the characteristics of the Samaritan woman is about her spiritual condition. First, he spoke to her despite the fact that she was a woman. Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain Image/Nicolaes Roosendael. So Happy you found this post informative. The woman was shocked. It may also have been that she was married and divorced five times. God is always in the business of rescue and restoration. When Jesus chose to engage her in conversation this was new and different. From The Fellowship Room, the Daily Nudge asks this morning, What stands out in your mind in the story of Jesus conversation with the Samaritan woman at Jacobs well? (cf. 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 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. Antagonism between the Jews and Samaritans sometimes caused tension along this route (Luke 9:52), but, because of its speed, it was the route taken by most Jews going to Jerusalem,[158]except, perhaps, the strictest Jews who avoided the route to prevent contracting He will never turn us away. Nearly all of us are the Samaritan woman. 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. No matter where you are or what you are doing, you can worship God whenever or wherever. RELATED: 5 Faith lessons from the woman with the issue of blood. As Jesus talked with her, he tried to get her to understand the idea of living water. Why did Jesus stop to talk to her? All those details combined made her ready to receive Jesus. Someone who helps others is often referred to as a good Samaritan. But what is a Samaritan? 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. 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