Most of us may be familiar with the story of the woman at the well. How Jesus talked with her. But do we go through this story and focus on the significance of it?
To explain what I mean, I will go through some observations that I made from this story.
This story is in John 4. Jesus was on His way to Galilee and needed to go through Samaria to get there. He stopped at a well (Jacob’s well), to get some water. As He was sitting there, a woman, a Samaritan woman came to get some water for herself. Now, the thing with Samaritans is an interesting situation. They do not deal with Jews. Which Jesus was considered a Jew. According to Blue Letter Bible, they were half-Jews and half-gentiles. As people of Israel were captured by people known as the Assyrians, some Israel people stayed. People from Israel and Assyrians married each other, which made the Samaritans.
She wasn’t afraid to ask questions.
The woman was surprised at Jesus because He asked her for a drink. When she gave the question to why He was talking with her; Him being a Jew and talking with a Samaritan. Jesus replied:
“If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water.” – John 4:10
Even after this answer, she asked what He meant and how He can do that. Jesus still replied. When He offered the Living Water which only He can offer, she desired that water. She asked questions because she was willing to learn who Jesus was.
She began desiring Jesus.
Right when Jesus offered her Living Water, she accepted it. She didn’t want to rely on the earthly water to be fulfilled, she desired to be spiritually fulfilled by Jesus. After their conversation, she went to tell other people about Him. Her being a Samaritan and Jesus being a Jew didn’t seem to matter at this point. Her focus was on something – or someone – greater.
“Please, sir,” the woman said, “give me this water! Then I’ll never be thirsty again, and I won’t have to come here to get water.” – John 4:15
She had faith.
Even though she was talking with Jesus, she told Him that she believed that the Messiah will be coming soon. He told her that He is the Messiah. She then ran to the village to tell about Jesus.
The woman said, “I know the Messiah is coming—the one who is called Christ. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.” – John 4:25
She was honest.
When she told Jesus she wanted the Living Water that He offered, He told her to go and get her husband. However she was not married. She was living with a man without being married to him. She was honest and told Jesus that she wasn’t married. Jesus was pleased with her honesty.
“Go and get your husband,” Jesus told her.
“I don’t have a husband,” the woman replied. Jesus said,
“You’re right! You don’t have a husband— for you have had five husbands, and you aren’t even married to the man you’re living with now. You certainly spoke the truth!” – John 4:16-18
Jesus was patient.
Throughout His conversation with the woman, He was patient. No matter how many questions she asked Him, He kept answering her. He helped her understand all that she was wondering. Jesus is understanding, gentle, and patient.
Jesus will speak to anyone.
Even though the woman at the well was a Samaritan, Jesus still spoke with her. It didn’t matter if people wondered why He was talking with a Samaritan. It doesn’t matter who you are, what culture you are, what land you’re from, what sin you’re in, He wants to change you. He loves you. And He has such a beautiful plan for your life.
Let’s be like the woman at the well. Willing to listen, to be honest, to want what only Jesus can give. Let’s be willing to share the good news, share God’s love and to rejoice with the truth. Not only should we be like the Samaritan woman, but also like Jesus.
with love, hope and peace,
ksyudaily 