Fierce Conversations - The woman
In John 4:1- 42, Jesus has a life-changing conversation with a Samaritan woman; a story often referred to as The Woman at The Well. In Jesus' day, there was enmity between the Samaritans and the Jews. Though we don't know her name, their encounter is the longest recorded between Jesus and any other individual in the Gospel of John. She was considered the lowest of the low — a woman in a culture where women are both demeaned and disregarded as little more than property, of a race despised by Jews, and living as a social outcast. Yet, her encounter with Christ brings her salvation and, ultimately, to an entire town as well.
Though John doesn't record her name, perhaps to spare her further shame, we know she had had five husbands, and the man she was currently with was not her husband. It's significant that she was drawing water alone at midday, likely indicating her place as a social outcast. Cultural and historical traditions of Jesus' day meant that women typically drew water in groups in the morning, and it was often a social occasion. She's here at noon, alone.
When Jesus asks her for water, He violates Jewish custom of the time, both as a man speaking to a woman and as a Jew speaking to a Samaritan. He first asks for a drink, but she is dismissive of His request, daring to ask if He thinks He's better than the patriarch Jacob. Jesus responds that He has living water, and if she realized who He is, she'd have asked for that living water for herself. At this point, the disciples return, and the woman, realizing Jesus is the Messiah, runs off, leaving her water jar behind and proclaiming, "Come, see!" to the people of the town.
Only Jesus can satisfy your thirst. The only thing that can fill the void within you is Jesus - not money, power, nor relationships - only Jesus. This woman was married five times - yet was still alone and unfulfilled.
Jesus confronts your mess. We can neither hide our mess nor can we distract Him from it. Not even her sarcasm and challenge distract Jesus from seeing who she is.
Jesus changes you. Jesus didn't change her circumstances; He changed her. She was still a woman who'd been married five times, living in sin with a man who wasn't her husband. She was still an outsider, yet she set any hurt feelings aside to share the good news with the people who had shunned her.
Your story can bring people to Jesus. After her encounter with Jesus, the woman runs into town to tell her story to the very people who had condemned her life and lifestyle. She was an outsider with a bad reputation, yet her testimony led an entire community to faith in the Messiah.
The Father seeks true worshippers. Jesus was obedient to God, seeking out lost and wounded souls. Yes, we may be seeking God to fill that void in our lives, but God is seeking true worshippers, sending his Son Jesus to reconcile us to Him.
Have you ever tried to find meaning and purpose apart from Jesus? What kinds of things did you pursue to satisfy the longing of your soul? Was the result really satisfying?
John tells his readers that Jesus "had to pass through Samaria." Did Jesus really have to go through Samaria? What can we learn from His choice to travel this route?
Have you known people who are considered social outcasts, like this woman?
What was Jesus' reaction to her?
How has the church treated people like her?
How should we respond?
How is the conversation with the woman at the well similar to the conversation with Nicodemus we examined in last week's message (John 3:1-15)?
In what ways are Nicodemus and the Samaritan woman different? What does Jesus offer to both Nicodemus and the Samaritan woman?
What is the central message in his conversations with "righteous" and "unrighteous" people?
Verse 23 says God is seeking "true worshippers," not that He is seeking "true worship." Why is that distinction so important?
Make a Move:
We all know someone who is the "woman at the well." Commit to sharing the message of living water that leads to eternal life with that person this week.
Prayer Prompt:
God, You are the only thing that can satisfy my soul. You surround me with Your love and fill my life with blessing, despite my wandering heart. Help me to confront my mess so that I may fix my eyes on You and become a true worshiper. Give me the courage to share my story so that others will experience faith in You. Amen