She is honest. Required fields are marked *. Jesus wants to be known. 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?". Your email address will not be published. How to use Samaritan in a sentence. That scenario would certainly be similar to the example used by the Sadducees In my weakness He is made strong. A thousand AMENs Iona. Living water can be obtained only by those who recognize that they are spiritually thirsty. In the end, Many Samaritans from that city believed in him because of the womans testimony (John 4:39, NRSV). Nearly all of us are the Samaritan woman. The Samaritan woman whom Jesus meets at Jacob's Well gleans much from her long conversation with Jesus. 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. Not even their own female relatives, including their wives, sisters and daughters. As Jesus talked with her, he tried to get her to understand the idea of living water. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners (Mark 2:17). Typically, women came for water earlier in the day and they came in groups. And yet,Jesus, in His divine intentionality sought to meet this specific woman at this specific time. Very often, meeting the needs of others can be messy. He cares for the outcasts of society. Maybe its a woman who you and others avoid because associating with her may switch on the rumor mill. Proud member Its only through the waters of His Spirit abiding in us that we are able to live, worship, and commune with Him. Many were transformed by her testimony. For Jews have no dealings with . True worship will be done in spirit and in truth. Samaritans were a group of people who were part Jew and part Gentile. 4 Things Christians Can Learn from The Story of the Woman at the Well 1. possibility that she had been divorced five times because of adultery, for she was then living with This led to further ill-will as the two sects were established in the land in opposition to one another. Zavada, Jack. This is the type of woman the Samaritan was. The Samaritans looked for the Christ and expected Him to be a prophet who would teach them. The woman at the well did not have a great life. The Jerusalem/Gerizim debate would soon be obsolete; He was ushering in a new era. Years earlier, Babylon had invaded Jewish territory and had taken the brightest and strongest in captivity. Lets take a deeper look into Gods Word. The Samaritan woman is one of the better known women of the New Testament. To be kind is so rare nowadays with all the prejudice and racism painting our lives. This woman had been living a sinful life but by the time she was finished talking to Jesus, she received salvation in fill. Jesus wants to satisfy the deepest longings of our soul through a loving relationship with Himself. There is the She returns to her town and effectively shares her own experience with Jesus, inviting the villagers to come and see if they reach the same conclusion about him. The story begins as Jesus and his disciples are traveling from Jerusalem in the south to Galilee in the north. Only the poor were left. journey sat down at the well. Specifically, her husbands. Get Your Bible Minute in Your Inbox Every Morning. And He knows your purpose too. By reaching out to the Samaritans, Jesus showed that his mission was to all people, not just the Jews. When the crowds heard Philip and saw the signs he performed, they all paid close attention to what he said. Types of Giving in the Bible, Examples What is Giving in the Bible? 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. If you would like to learn more about this Biblical character I encourage you to, first, do your own study of the scriptures, then consult a trusted commentary. Throughout this conversation she demonstrates a posture of discipleship, learning from Jesus, and now she is called as an evangelist. As the story progresses, we learn that this Samaritan woman comes to the well regularly at this time of day ( John 4:15 ).). Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. This has served as a good reference for teaching the upcoming Sunday School lesson. They survived through the time of Jesus, and even, in limited numbers, to the present day. It starts right there where Jesus wants you to see yourself. The solution is found in our focus in this essay: worship in the world without end. Jesus tackled the barriers against women by talking to her. And, third, he asked her to get him a drink of water, although using her cup or jar would have made him ceremonially unclean. This is the movement of all disciplesgrowing in faith through relationship with Jesus and moving outward to use our gifts for the sake of the world. He shall never thirst he shall never want that which will abundantly satisfy his souls desires; they are longing, not languishing. Today, Samaria is in what is now the northern West Bank. 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. Lesson #1: Jesus is never too tired to love you. 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. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.. And boy, does he have a blessing for the ministry that women offer to help others. Copyright 2023, Bible Study Tools. The living water that Jesus was offering her would satisfy her souls desires in a way that she had not yet experienced. These circumstances point to her desire to avoid the shame that would come by attending the well when other women were present. Matthew 28:18-19 NASB. We live in a culture where we are highly focused on the next best thing. I feel this vast amount of scripture affords us the opportunity explore and learn from their The Samaritans were a people group in the Bible that lived in the area of Israel following the Assyrian conquest. She goes immediately and tells her family and friends. 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. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. three. She came in the hottest part of the day, to avoid the accusing glances and harsh words. The Jews used the analogy of thirst and water to represent how the coming Savior would save them and lift them up. 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. However, the Gospel brought hope to Samaria. He asked her for water and this opened a conversation about worship. There are some scholars who believe that to worship in Spirit means within the Holy Spirit. Second, she was a Samaritan woman, and the Jews traditionally despised Samaritans. 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. Through this statement, he shows her that His word is true. She seeks truth. Give me this water and I will never have to come here again. She would have gladly given up her long treks to the well in the heat of the day. Not only was she in adultery, but she also had a shameful past. Your email address will not be published. I know that Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ). I looked with fresh eyes at the characteristics of this woman and instead of shunning her, I thought, Lord, I want to be like her!. suspicion by some rulers of His own nation, here is one of the despised Samaritans who received As the story progresses, we learn that this woman regularly comes to the well at this time of day (John 4:15). A woman from Samaria came to draw water. It really is timely because America is recognizing women this month. 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. He is the author "Hope for Hurting Singles: A Christian Guide to Overcoming Life's Challenges. The Samaritans were a people group in the Bible that lived in the area of Israel following the Assyrian conquest. Think Daniel and the three Hebrew boys in Babylon. We may have to get our hands dirty. At this point, the woman realized He must be some kind of prophet. 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. Hes especially interested in the ministry to save women. Initiating a conversation with the woman shows that Jesus wasnt concerned about political correctness. Let me say YES Give me what I long for. Plus, he was talking to her without anyone else around! 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. God is not bound by time or place and hes not turned off by our condition. When he offered her the water, she thought he meant literal water. There is a lot that we could dig into within this discourse between Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well. in Matthew 22:23-30. Alyssa Roatstudied writing, theology, and the Bible at Taylor University. He said to her, Go, call your husband and come here. See my full disclosure for more details. When someone upsets us, or they no longer fulfill our happiness, we walk away, looking for our next relationship. Article Images Copyright , What We Can Learn from Ruth and Naomi - Women in the Bible, a series, California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. She could be a concubine, which was a legal arrangement but with lesser status than marriage. The following are some outstanding characteristics of the Samaritan woman: Lord, please grant us more women with the above characteristics, in Jesus name, Amen! All rights reserved. When that is gone, then you can see Jesus. Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain Image/Nicolaes Roosendael. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. Perhaps like the Samaritan woman, we need only acknowledge our place of brokenness, that place where we are attempting find satisfaction: I have no husband.. The Samaritan woman went to draw water at noon because she was not welcomed at the local well where the women in her community went for water. Perhaps the broken relationships had taken their toll on her. For centuries Jews and Samaritans had rejected each other. Here are a couple I recommend: Check Out These Other Posts and Resources: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. All those details combined made her ready to receive Jesus. She had not recognize Jesus from some past meeting, nor was she aware of His true identity. Jacob's well was there; so Jesus, wearied as he was from his journey, was sitting beside the well. She publishes a weekly blog on the website The Single MOM KC as well as freelances for other publications. Qualities of Abigail in the Bible lessons from the woman with beauty and brains, 8 Amazing lessons from Mary the mother of Jesus . No matter where you are or what you are doing, you can worship God whenever or wherever. The Samaritan woman Jesus met faced prejudice from her own community. What Does It Mean That "Your Life Is Hidden with Christ"? She had five husbands and she was living with a man who was not her husband. Who told you about Jesus? Testament. She leaves her water jar behindjust as the disciples left their fishing netsa sign of her complete embrace of this calling to follow Jesus. Get Your Bible Minute in Your Inbox Every Morning. Him gladly. 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. Drawing water alone in the heat of the day could only indicate one thing. 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. Nehemiah, a Jew, curried favor with the king and was able to return to Jerusalem to rebuild. (Like so many Christians like to do). The Bible character we know as woman at the well has one of the most freeing testimonies in the Word of God. The woman at the well was a Samaritan. Jesus used the words living water to refer to eternal life, the gift that would satisfy her soul's desire: This living water was only available through him. He said, It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. Jesus needed her to realize that she needed to get out of that mans bed! Read my full disclosure. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty (John 6:35, NLT). Widowhood was a common experience in a culture where women were married very young. Retrieved from https://www.learnreligions.com/woman-at-the-well-700205. 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 Even the metaphorical use of water in regard to Wisdom owes much to its related and . However, Jesus had sent His disciples away (John 4:8), and we see the woman approach the well for water. In summary, Jesus was trying to avoid controversy with the religious leaders over his ministry. Jesus has paused to wait on you, to give you living water. He used the backdrop of the Jews hatred for Samaritans to show that everyonewas his neighbor, even those considered an enemy. Most women would come early in the morning or late in the evening to collect water. I pray your Sunday School lesson goes well and is a blessing to all who attend. As quickly as she responded, Jesus exposed what she thought would be a secret to him. She unashamedly invited others to know Jesus. 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. Women of certain status and wealth never went to draw water for themselves. Though we are not told this womans name, she has the longest conversation with Jesus of any character in the book of John. This was around noon-time during the heat of the day. Jesus was of Jewish descent, from the lineage of King David. What Jesus had spoken of figuratively, she took literally. Abundant life can only be found in Him (John 10:10). He will never turn us away. It is only in Jesus that we will be saved from our sins and made new in Christ (Titus 3:5, Galatians 2:20). Look after him, he said, and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have (Luke 10:30-35). 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. As a result they would bump into things and suffer all kinds of bodily harm. They were replaced with a foreign race, planted there The Samaritan woman listens with open attentiveness to Jesus as she asks him questions about her faith and hope. Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went. The Samaritan woman whom Jesus meets at Jacobs Well gleans much from her long conversation with Jesus. True worship will be done, If you would like to do your own in-depth study and learn more about the, How to Use the Inductive Method of Bible Study. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. A knowledge which explains her astonished reaction and unbelief (v. 9). The woman at the well had been searching for fulfillment from people. She is working on her first book to be published in 2016; an autobiographical teaching of the Song of Solomon. Next, the Samaritan woman went to draw water from the well at noon. What Do We Learn from Reading Jesus Genealogy? The Jews hated the Samaritans more than they hated the gentiles. He was a symbol. as I can determine, the Samaritans recognized divorce only in cases of adultery. She has a good grasp on her own traditions beliefs, so she asks, Are you greater than our father Jacob who gave us this well? (4:12). She was a receptive woman (John 4:13-15, 21-25). God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth. John 4:22-24 NASB. Samaritan Woman at the Well Bible Study Video. conversation. 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). The Samaritans began taking possession of the land of Israel after Israel was taken captive by the Assyrians. She may have been Ashamed. She was trying to find out from the One she perceived to be a prophet where the correct place of worship was. All of her questions and persistence led her to come face to face with the Living God. 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. 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 ). It was at Jacob's well that Jesus and the Samaritan woman talked. But look deeper, and you'll realize it reveals a great deal about Jesus' character. 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. The Jews thought that God could only be worshipped at the temple in Jerusalem. The woman at the well argues with Jesus The Samaritan Woman. Jesus believes the same for you. The Samaritan woman is perhaps the only person in all of the New Testament to whom Jesus directly says he is the Messiah. John 4:1-42). Or, perhaps, these words press on an area in your own heart. Samaria was a dessert town and the heat of the day was not the time to be filling up the jars of water. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. These half-Jewish, half-Gentile people became known as the Samaritans. 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. In fact, they took this so seriously thatthey would close their eyes when a woman approached them. Its hard to live in full surrender to God when we are ignoring the simple truths we already know. When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus asked her for a drink. This is a great summary. She knew that the Messiah would know the secrets of everyone. Many of us are looking for our religious system to fill us, but it is only an encounter with the Messiah that can satisfy. Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah there. us; we can move forward to do greater things in the service of God. 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. This aspect of her life is certainly worthy of us imitating They had servant girls for that kind of thing. Samaritans were a group of people who were part Jew and part Gentile. He is not surprised by our evil desires, but rather He seeks to reconcile us to the Father in spite of them (Hebrews 7:25). An expert in the law stood up to test Jesus and asked what he must do to inherit eternal life. The Jews and Samaritans were related. The Priceless Woman Virtues of a Godly Woman. Jesus is the One who identifies with us in our weakness and meets us at our hour of need. 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. Then you can get clean, clear direction to walk in light and life. Remember, Your Past Is Not Your Future. Everywhere He went, Jesus interacted with the poor and outcast. In 721 B.C., the northern kingdom of Israel fell to the Assyrians. Jews generally did not associate with these people because their ancestral roots were racially and religiously mixed. He is the Living Water that she needs, the well spring of life. If you want to share this resource with others, please share the link to the blog post. This boundary crossing between a Jew and a Samaritan sparks a conversation about their theological differences. So he came to a town of Samaria called Sychar, near the field ethat Jacob had given to his son Joseph. Her name is Photina. We are called to daily take up our cross and follow Him (Matthew 16:24-26). The Samaritans, being a mix of already spiritually corrupt Israelites and pagan foreigners, created a religion for themselves that the Jews considered heresy. And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. 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! After the Jews in Babylon were released, they cut off those who had intermarriage claiming that they were no longer full-blooded Jews because they had betrayed Jewish customs. This, in and of itself, was uncommon for Jews to do, as Samaritans were part Jew and part Gentile, and greatly disliked by both parties. Her current situation, living with a man who is not her husband, could be the result of several possible scenarios. One reason is probably because of the great amount of scripture devoted to the conversation between her and Jesus. The story of the Samaritan woman begins as Jesus is in the Judean countryside with His disciples (John 3:22). This was the beginning of a long-lasting hatred between Jews and Samaritans. Someone who helps others is often referred to as a good Samaritan. But what is a Samaritan? More insights from your Bible study - Get Started with Logos Bible Software for Free! Actually, although she was not living her best life, she was living in expectation of Jesuss coming. She has been married 5 times and currently lives in unrepentant sin by living with her boyfriend ( John 4:16-18 ). 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). 3 So he left Judea and went back once more to Galilee. However, as Jesus revealed Himself to her, he sought to show her that He was the never-ending water she was so thirsty for (John 7:38). Jesus said the fields are ripe and ready for harvest. This was a. fulfillment of the prophecy (Isaiah 11:1, Jeremiah 23:5-6) Fact #3: Mary was poor and was raised in a small, remote village called Nazareth. #2 She just wanted an easier life, free from the inconvenience of having to walk in the heat of the day for water each day. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. What did Jesus mean when He said, I am the Bread of Life (John 6:35)? As the years passed and my faith in Christ grew, I distanced myself from this needy woman of the Bible, oftentimes looking through the religious glasses I had put on to label others as the ones who needed this drink. The Samaritan bandaged up the man's wounds and poured oil and wine on his injuries. Copyright 2023, Bible Study Tools. Samaritans are first mentioned in the Bible in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah in the 5th century B.C. 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 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. Sadly, we do not even notice the aching question behind our search for the next best thing. The woman went to tell everyone, and as a result, many Samaritans listened to Jesus and believed. God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. - Romans 5:8. All this happened approximately seven-hundred years earlier. And many believed because of her testimony (v. 39). Redirecting to /core/journals/new-testament-studies/article/abs/marriage-and-the-samaritan-woman/0C99A409746F3DC20A14FBDDC0D7B8E0 All rights reserved. Learn how Jesus shocked the woman at the well with his loving acceptance. This turns the conversation to her personal history and current marital situation. In response, Jesus speaks of a future time when all true worshipers of God will worship not in a particular place but in the Spirit and in truth (4:23-24). The sixth hour would have been our modern-day noon. Topics concerned spirituallity, such as water, wisdom, life, workship, bridegroom, pilgrinage,. The But after meeting Jesus, she was soooo happy that she lost her shame. Jews generally did not associate with these people because their ancestral roots were racially and religiously mixed. Who is the Samaritan Woman? Who was the Samaritan woman at the well? What can we learn from the woman at the well? The Actions and Speech of the Character. 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. The strict Rabbis forbade a Rabbi to greet a woman in public. You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, because salvation is from the Jews. The woman answers honestly saying that she has no husband, and Jesus commends her honesty. Jesus and His disciples had left Judea and traveled north toward Galilee. [1] For a more detailed examination of the historical record on women and marriage in this time period and the Samaritan womans story in particular see Women in the World of the Earliest Christians by Lynn Cohick (Baker Academic, 2009), 99-128.
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