God accepts the Samaritan womanGod accepts you and meonly because of this man at the well. She was shacking up with a guy. But usually our problem is to know how do to do it. They just looked for this Messiah to be a teacher who would explain everything. Notify me of followup comments via e-mail. Lesson 3: The Samaritan Woman (John 4) | Bible.org That well was right there next to them, so it was a handy way to move from physical thirst to spiritual thirst, and to move from H2O to the living water that Jesus provides. Were on a mission to change that. The Jews looked down on the half-breed, semi-pagan Samaritans and would not associate with them. 4 Therefore, when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John 2 (though Jesus Himself did not baptize, but His disciples), 3 He left Judea and departed again to Galilee. And he accepts you, even if you do not have all your theology perfectly straightened out yet. We can try to answer those questions if they are answerable, but do not let them get us off point. And my well is superior. And so when the disciples come back later, and they see this happening, theyre a little surprised, if not shocked. Do we believe or reject him when He says that suffering is a major instrument used by God to build into us the character of Jesus Christ? Isa 44:3; 55:1; Jer 2:13; 17:13; Zec 14:8; Jn 7:37, 38; Rev 7:17; 21:6; 22:1, 17, Da 4:2, 3; S Jn 2:11; Ac 2:43; 14:3; Ro 15:19; 2Co 12:12; Heb 2:4, NIV, Verse Mapping Bible, Comfort Print: Find Connections in Scripture Using a Unique 5-Step Process, NIV, Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible, Red Letter Edition: Bringing to Life the Ancient World of Scripture, NIV, Beautiful Word Bible Journal, Galatians, Paperback, Comfort Print, NIV, Biblical Theology Study Bible, Comfort Print: Follow Gods Redemptive Plan as It Unfolds throughout Scripture, NIV, The Woman's Study Bible, Full-Color, Red Letter: Receiving God's Truth for Balance, Hope, and Transformation, NIV, The Story: The Bible as One Continuing Story of God and His People. Sermon: A Samaritan Womans Encounter with Jesus, Sermon Notes: Jesus appears to seven Disciples, Sermon: Great Lessons from Mary and Martha, Sermon: How to discern Gods Will? The Pharisees were not in charge of this. It is a well-known story, and its found in the Holy Gospel for today, from John chapter 4. Its the gift of God (verse 10: If you knew the gift of God). Therefore share your experience with others. She passed into eternity in Sept 2015 and is with our dear Jesus. Jesus in His humanity was descended from Abraham, the father of the Jews. Shes tired of living with her shame and guilt, and shes sensing that Jesus just may be able to help her. Imagine this womans surprise when a Jewish man spoke to her and asked her for a drink. She answers, dodgingly, and says simply, I have no husband. But Jesus knows why this line of conversation makes her uncomfortable. He replies: You are right in saying, I have no husband; for you have had five husbands, and the one you now have is not your husband. The text is John 4:1-42. The disciples attitude towards women reflected that of the culture, but Jesus never obeyed the traditions of men that violated Gods value system and they did not dare to question him. This is exactly what happened to one marginalized woman from Samaria. Here is Don Carsons description of the situation: After the Assyrians captured Samaria [the capital of the Northern kingdom of Israel] in 72221 BC, they deported all the Israelites of substance and settled the land with foreigners, who intermarried with the surviving Israelites and adhered to some form of their ancient religion (2 Kings 1718). In Walgreens and Kresses and Woolworths, there were two water fountains on the wall with signs over them: White and Colored. You can scarcely imagine anything more demeaning than to build your entire plumbing system around the unwillingness to drink from the same fountain. Living water to her meant a fresh spring in contrast to a pool or cistern. By the way, going to Bible class will help with that. He is standing by the fountain marked Colored watching a black woman fill her water bottle and then, for all to see, says, Can I have a drink from your water bottle? She says, at the end of verse 9, Jews have no dealings with Samaritans. But more literally it says, Jews dont use together with Samaritans. Jesus knew all about her before he met her. Confronting her issues with the opposite sex was the turning point of the encounter. Do we let social, racial or religious barriers keep us from befriending people who need to know the Lord Jesus and who could enrich our lives and broaden our understanding of the love of God for all people. . E. An encounter is a glorious experience. C. Mere religion cant empower us for service. The Samaritans said that their mountain, Mt. Jesus said: I have new birth for you (living water), and he said, Where is a womans womb big enough for me to crawl into? She says, You have living water for me (new birth); wheres your bucket? This is a picture of us. Theres plenty of living water to go around. Encounter at Jacobs Well John 4 In Behold, I freely give He cares for us individually. A woman of Samaria came to draw water. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. Yes, this is how Jesus has living water to offer you and to all sinners: His sacrificial death has won for you forgiveness for all your sins, whether you have led an immoral life, like the woman at the well, or a pretty respectable life, but still you know your need. This is not usually our approach, is it? Notice what was most impressive to her about their conversation. So dont short-circuit the wonderful work of Jesus, for you and in you, by failing to see clearly how woeful your condition is without him. So lets begin with the transition between chapters 3 and 4. The story in John 4 about Jesuss meeting with the Samaritan woman at the well reveals woeful truth about ourselves and wonderful truth about Jesus. He is always doing thousands of things that we cannot see. If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.. Today, I want to speak to you about divine encounters. But she doesnt see it. But Jesus was all about calling sinners to repentance, that they would realize their sin, sense their need, and find their forgiveness in him. Where do you get that living water? So Jesus takes her deeper: Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty forever. WebMaybe it opened your eyes to a new way of living, allowing you to let go of old, destructive habits. Where do you look? Work in cooperation with the Holy Spirit to transform your life. Jesus claims to give one drink that will satisfy our hearts thirst forever. 37Thus the saying One sows and another reaps(AJ) is true. WebJesus Talks With a Samaritan Woman. There on the cross, Jesus will say, I thirst. He, the sinless Son of God, the only wholly innocent manJesus would endure the physical agony of the crucifixion, plus the burden of bearing the punishment that we sinners all deserve. Where can you get this living water? He spoke and did not remain silent. (The Gospel According to John, 216). The southern kingdom became known as Judah, with the palace of the Davidic kings and the temple of the Lord remaining in Jerusalem. WebJohn 4 A Samaritan Woman and a Nobleman Meet Jesus. Once again he is tired and says, I thirst. Friends, Jesus suffered that thirst in order that you and I would never be thirsty. This was a deliberate choice other Jews never made. God is never doing just one thing in what he does with us. C. Just because encounters take place when we least expect them, doesnt mean they are coincidental or circumstantial. 4 And he must needs go through Samaria. People look in many placessex, alcohol, drugs, a new boat, a bigger housealways trying to satisfy their thirst, but nothing ever seems to fill the bill. This story is often called The Woman at the Well. But it could also be called The Man at the Well. Because thats who this story really is about: this man, Jesus, who meets the woman at the well. He knows my inner thoughts and my secret sins. Nicodemus failed to understand but the Woman understood and proclaimed it to others. The reason the Bible tells us woeful news about ourselves is to make the greatness of grace and the greatness of salvation feel as wonderful as it really is. So just like Jesus ate with tax collectors and sinners in Luke 15, he is willing to share a drinking cup with a Samaritan adulteress. 28Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, 29Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. The holy Son of God shed his blood for us. to refer to God. . All Rights Reserved. Each of us was born a sinner. Jesus wanted to satisfy the thirst of her soul. A. This living water Jesus gives, he gives free of charge. He says, in verses 14. The living water that Jesus gives is new life in the Spirit. Q. Jesus was known for being the friend of sinners. Jesus stayed with these Samaritans for 2 more days at their request. Jesus is seeking this womans salvation, knowing everything about her. And therefore, they were avoided. His acceptance of the woman did not mean ignoring her sins. Now as they were gathered by the well, Jesus turned their attention to the town on the hill. Required fields are marked *. Theyve been on the road for some hours now, its midday, and theyre tired and hungry. We all need friends who know who we really are and love us anyway. The well that Jacob had dug 2000 years before was still supplying water. About 400 BC the Samarians erected a rival temple on Mount Gerizim. (AA) Could this be the Messiah?(AB) 30They came out of the town and made their way toward him. Long story short, he dedicated his life to service to God and led many people to Christ. In our day, in our crazy, decadent culture, this might not seem like such a big deal. This is hard to do, but if we are going to tell them that God loves them, it might be a good idea to let God demonstrate that love through us from the start. Lutheran Liturgical Congregations Listing, Return/Turn to the Lord: Ruth, Luke 17, Psalm 111, and The Fear of the Lord, GiveawayPleasantly Crafted Lutheran Coloring Sheets, Giveaway! But it wasnt so. So he is not leaving Judea because he is afraid of the Pharisees. In fact, he even began to correct them: You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we Jews worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. But that didnt stop Jesus from accepting the woman herself. In his encounter with the Samaritan woman, we see very clearly that Christ accepted her. It is wise to reveal ourselves gradually depending on the persons response, just as Jesus did. He always has thousands of purposes in everything he does. Why? Worship would not be in man made temples or churches, but in the inner sanctuaries of peoples hearts. WebAlthough Jesus was tired and thirsty, He was more focused on sharing His living water with her. You see, Jesus not only accepted the Samaritan woman, he did something much more. Whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty forever. He wants to be our Friend as well as our Father. And you yourself may have doubts and uncertainties in your faith. C. An authentic encounter will always be followed by individual transformation as well as a transformation of ones community. When this Jewish man asks her for a drink, she says, How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a woman of Samaria? And our text adds to explain, For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans., Now this Samaritan woman is down in the count, 0-2. For instance, we see that Jesus accepted her even though she was a Samaritan. The Samaritans also only accepted the first five books of the Hebrew Scripture, and rejected the rest. How can you ask me for a drink? (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans. But John said that Jesus had to pass through Samaria. Is this because he had an appointment to keep? He was acting purposefully. Its good for the Christian to be aware of the fact that we too have been impacted by our society. You may unsubscribe from Bible Gateways emails at any time. It recalls the lodestar verses of John 1:14, 16: The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. Wealth, beauty, art, education, power, pleasure, career, even marriage all are finally meaningless in the effort to find the essential values of life, to find personal fulfillment, to quench our thirst. Do you know your need? John 4:13-14 When we think of Samaritans, we probably think of The Good Samaritan from the parable that Jesus tells in the Gospel of Luke.
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