The Woman of Samaria
Study No. 8 – In our study today we have the account of Jesus approaching a woman and leading her to saving faith. The gospel of John is all about ‘believing’ in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. Evangelism is a word we use to define the practice of bringing a ‘lost’ person to salvation. In the gospel so far we have three very different examples of this.
1) First we have something close to ‘crusade’ evangelism. John the Baptist has been loudly proclaiming the ‘soon coming’ of the Messiah. He has been preaching against sin and calling for repentance and faith. Many were drawn to him, heard and responded to the message and were baptised.
2) Second we have a ‘seeker’, Nicodemus. He came of his own initiative and curiosity to learn more about Christ.
3) Third we have the account in today’s study. This woman is NOT a seeker at all. Jesus takes the initiative – takes on the role of soul-winner.
God wants his church, and specifically his people, to be soul-winners.
Pr 11:30 ¶ The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, And he who wins souls is wise.
The closest we come to doing evangelism ‘John the Baptist’ method, is perhaps street evangelism. (method 1.)
We have mentioned the scripture which applies to method 2. 1Pe 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;
Today we want to see what we can learn about ‘taking the initiative’ as soul-winners.
Where are we in the unfolding story of Jesus’ life?
* Jesus comes to John to be baptised (Just north and east of Jerusalem area)
* Undergoes 40 days of testing in the wilderness.
* Comes back to where John is baptising, calls a couple of disciples to follow him.
* They proceed northward to Galilee.
* The first miracle is done in Cana, of Galilee.
* The group soon travels south to Jerusalem for the Passover. (this is now about six months after Jesus was baptised.)
* After the cleansing of the Temple, the performing of many miracles, the midnight talk with Nicodemus, Jesus goes to northern Judah where he and his disciples baptised many people, not far from where John was baptising.
* After several months, John goes to prison and Jesus begins the return journey to Galilee.
* The most direct route leads him through Samaria.
A brief review of Samaritan history.
- Years earlier God had allowed Israel and then Judah to be taken captive to Babylon.
- the enemy king allowed the poorest of the Israelites and Jews to stay in the land, and inter-marry with some of the resident gentiles/strangers in the area. These people seriously worshipped God as best they could, paying attention to getting rid of any trace of idol worship.
When Babylon finally released the Jews to go back to their homeland in Palestine they found this geographic area between Judea and Galilee to be occupied with half-breeds called Samaritans. The Jews openly despised them. When the Jews wanted to call Jesus a bad name, they called Him a Samaritan. John 8:48 The Jews answered him, "Aren’t we right in saying that you are a Samaritan and demon-possessed?"
So now we come to the John’s account of ‘The Woman at the Well’.
What are her chances that some Christian would care enough to reach out to her with the gospel? She has three strikes against her:
1. She was a Samaritan
2. She’s a woman
3. She was a woman of loose reputation
Note- the disciples have been sent into the city to get some food. Upon returning they were surprised. They did not indicate surprise that Jesus was talking to a Samaritan but that He was talking to a woman.
Today we would not understand what their surprise might be based on. Men talk with women anytime. Women talk with men… even ask them out.
When I was dating … a girl said to me once that after the third date the rumour mill had it that the couple was engaged. So back in Jesus time … maybe a man talking to a woman one time was enough to raise questions.
Consider the process by which this woman comes to faith in Christ.
7. A woman of Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, "Give Me a drink."
8 For His disciples had gone away into the city to buy food.
1. Jesus gets the woman’s attention by making a very unusual request.
9 Then the woman of Samaria said to Him, "How is it that You, being a Jew, ask a drink from me, a Samaritan woman?" For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.
Her response is interesting. Before she spoke, did she think …. He’s a Jew, and he knows who I am, so is he just messing around with me? Is he looking for the chance to put me down, just so he can appear superior to me?
If she does actually think this man has no evil intentions, at the very least she would be shocked to receive such a request.
So when she responds there seems to be a strong note of defensiveness.
10 Jesus answered and said to her, "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water."
2. Jesus makes a bold statement that will require some explanation.
“This Jew”, she thinks to herself, “has just mentioned God and has made a promise that is obviously impossible.” She sees it a somewhat of a challenge. She is quite sure the Israelites don’t have living water to offer, so she responds with a bit of sarcasm.
11 The woman said to Him, "Sir, You have nothing to draw with, and the well is deep. Where then do You get that living water?
12 "Are You greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well, and drank from it himself, as well as his sons and his livestock?"
3. Jesus does not respond to her sarcasm, but carries on with the ‘impossible’ offer that He has just made.
13 Jesus answered and said to her, "Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again,
14 "but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life."
Whether she may have missed the part about ‘everlasting life’ or not we don’t know, but she seems to be remarking only about physical water and its personal benefit to her.
15 The woman said to Him, "Sir, give me this water, that I may not thirst, nor come here to draw."
4. Jesus has made an offer. He knows she heard it. He goes directly to something that relates to her personal life. In this Jesus has an advantage over us, in that He supernaturally knew her history. He has just changed the conversation into the area of sin and repentance.
16 Jesus said to her, "Go, call your husband, and come here."
17 The woman answered and said, "I have no husband." Jesus said to her, "You have well said, ‘I have no husband,’
18 "for you have had five husbands, and the one whom you now have is not your husband; in that you spoke truly."
5. Jesus is addressing the common situation; that a life ruined by sin causes people to accept their present state as ‘this is as good as it gets’.
Not sensing that there is any hope for changing her past … and not wanting to feel this shame and guilt …she does what is to be expected; change the subject.
19 The woman said to Him, "Sir, I perceive that You are a prophet.
20 "Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, and you Jews say that in Jerusalem is the place where one ought to worship."
“Which religion is right? There are so many different churches … all claiming to be the One and Only!” Bring up the age-old question to which there is no answer. Get the focus off of me!
5. To plant the ‘seed’ the soil needs to be free of rocks. Jesus addresses (removes) the objection.
21 - 24
25 The woman said to Him, "I know that Messiah is coming" (who is called Christ). "When He comes, He will tell us all things."
6. She is ready to hear that Jesus is the answer.
26 Jesus said to her, "I who speak to you am He."
7. Grace (appreciation of this surprising favour suddenly thrust upon her) is a powerful motivator. Her faith is made evident by her response.
Conclusion: 27 -42
The disciples return (the woman leaves)
Jesus discusses harvest time and workers wages.
Evangelism in the city.
- a woman, overjoyed by forgiveness spreads the word about Jesus.
- Her testimony convinces many
- By invitation Jesus stays 2 days and reaches many more.
1) First we have something close to ‘crusade’ evangelism. John the Baptist has been loudly proclaiming the ‘soon coming’ of the Messiah. He has been preaching against sin and calling for repentance and faith. Many were drawn to him, heard and responded to the message and were baptised.
2) Second we have a ‘seeker’, Nicodemus. He came of his own initiative and curiosity to learn more about Christ.
3) Third we have the account in today’s study. This woman is NOT a seeker at all. Jesus takes the initiative – takes on the role of soul-winner.
God wants his church, and specifically his people, to be soul-winners.
Pr 11:30 ¶ The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, And he who wins souls is wise.
The closest we come to doing evangelism ‘John the Baptist’ method, is perhaps street evangelism. (method 1.)
We have mentioned the scripture which applies to method 2. 1Pe 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;
Today we want to see what we can learn about ‘taking the initiative’ as soul-winners.
Where are we in the unfolding story of Jesus’ life?
* Jesus comes to John to be baptised (Just north and east of Jerusalem area)
* Undergoes 40 days of testing in the wilderness.
* Comes back to where John is baptising, calls a couple of disciples to follow him.
* They proceed northward to Galilee.
* The first miracle is done in Cana, of Galilee.
* The group soon travels south to Jerusalem for the Passover. (this is now about six months after Jesus was baptised.)
* After the cleansing of the Temple, the performing of many miracles, the midnight talk with Nicodemus, Jesus goes to northern Judah where he and his disciples baptised many people, not far from where John was baptising.
* After several months, John goes to prison and Jesus begins the return journey to Galilee.
* The most direct route leads him through Samaria.
A brief review of Samaritan history.
- Years earlier God had allowed Israel and then Judah to be taken captive to Babylon.
- the enemy king allowed the poorest of the Israelites and Jews to stay in the land, and inter-marry with some of the resident gentiles/strangers in the area. These people seriously worshipped God as best they could, paying attention to getting rid of any trace of idol worship.
When Babylon finally released the Jews to go back to their homeland in Palestine they found this geographic area between Judea and Galilee to be occupied with half-breeds called Samaritans. The Jews openly despised them. When the Jews wanted to call Jesus a bad name, they called Him a Samaritan. John 8:48 The Jews answered him, "Aren’t we right in saying that you are a Samaritan and demon-possessed?"
So now we come to the John’s account of ‘The Woman at the Well’.
What are her chances that some Christian would care enough to reach out to her with the gospel? She has three strikes against her:
1. She was a Samaritan
2. She’s a woman
3. She was a woman of loose reputation
Note- the disciples have been sent into the city to get some food. Upon returning they were surprised. They did not indicate surprise that Jesus was talking to a Samaritan but that He was talking to a woman.
Today we would not understand what their surprise might be based on. Men talk with women anytime. Women talk with men… even ask them out.
When I was dating … a girl said to me once that after the third date the rumour mill had it that the couple was engaged. So back in Jesus time … maybe a man talking to a woman one time was enough to raise questions.
Consider the process by which this woman comes to faith in Christ.
7. A woman of Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, "Give Me a drink."
8 For His disciples had gone away into the city to buy food.
1. Jesus gets the woman’s attention by making a very unusual request.
9 Then the woman of Samaria said to Him, "How is it that You, being a Jew, ask a drink from me, a Samaritan woman?" For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.
Her response is interesting. Before she spoke, did she think …. He’s a Jew, and he knows who I am, so is he just messing around with me? Is he looking for the chance to put me down, just so he can appear superior to me?
If she does actually think this man has no evil intentions, at the very least she would be shocked to receive such a request.
So when she responds there seems to be a strong note of defensiveness.
10 Jesus answered and said to her, "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water."
2. Jesus makes a bold statement that will require some explanation.
“This Jew”, she thinks to herself, “has just mentioned God and has made a promise that is obviously impossible.” She sees it a somewhat of a challenge. She is quite sure the Israelites don’t have living water to offer, so she responds with a bit of sarcasm.
11 The woman said to Him, "Sir, You have nothing to draw with, and the well is deep. Where then do You get that living water?
12 "Are You greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well, and drank from it himself, as well as his sons and his livestock?"
3. Jesus does not respond to her sarcasm, but carries on with the ‘impossible’ offer that He has just made.
13 Jesus answered and said to her, "Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again,
14 "but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life."
Whether she may have missed the part about ‘everlasting life’ or not we don’t know, but she seems to be remarking only about physical water and its personal benefit to her.
15 The woman said to Him, "Sir, give me this water, that I may not thirst, nor come here to draw."
4. Jesus has made an offer. He knows she heard it. He goes directly to something that relates to her personal life. In this Jesus has an advantage over us, in that He supernaturally knew her history. He has just changed the conversation into the area of sin and repentance.
16 Jesus said to her, "Go, call your husband, and come here."
17 The woman answered and said, "I have no husband." Jesus said to her, "You have well said, ‘I have no husband,’
18 "for you have had five husbands, and the one whom you now have is not your husband; in that you spoke truly."
5. Jesus is addressing the common situation; that a life ruined by sin causes people to accept their present state as ‘this is as good as it gets’.
Not sensing that there is any hope for changing her past … and not wanting to feel this shame and guilt …she does what is to be expected; change the subject.
19 The woman said to Him, "Sir, I perceive that You are a prophet.
20 "Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, and you Jews say that in Jerusalem is the place where one ought to worship."
“Which religion is right? There are so many different churches … all claiming to be the One and Only!” Bring up the age-old question to which there is no answer. Get the focus off of me!
5. To plant the ‘seed’ the soil needs to be free of rocks. Jesus addresses (removes) the objection.
21 - 24
25 The woman said to Him, "I know that Messiah is coming" (who is called Christ). "When He comes, He will tell us all things."
6. She is ready to hear that Jesus is the answer.
26 Jesus said to her, "I who speak to you am He."
7. Grace (appreciation of this surprising favour suddenly thrust upon her) is a powerful motivator. Her faith is made evident by her response.
Conclusion: 27 -42
The disciples return (the woman leaves)
Jesus discusses harvest time and workers wages.
Evangelism in the city.
- a woman, overjoyed by forgiveness spreads the word about Jesus.
- Her testimony convinces many
- By invitation Jesus stays 2 days and reaches many more.