Third, he sat on the well to be fully conspicuous and unavoidable. (T) 23Yet a time is coming and has now come(U) when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit(V) and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. And yet Jesus engages her in conversation. So just maybe you might know some thirsty people in your life, in your town, who could use this living water that Jesus has so freely given to you. When Jesus says to her in verse 23, True worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him, its hard not to think: Jesus is the hound of heaven. That the Samaritan woman finally understands that Jesus refers to water which is more than physical is made clear by 4:28: she leaves her waterpot behind because (at least for the point our author is making) she wont need it to carry the kind of water Jesus now has her interested in! He revealed His identity to this immoral Samaritan woman, not to the religious leaders or even to His own disciples. Yes, Jesus has living water for you today. The woman was so excited about her encounter with him that she just left her waterpot and hurried back into the town. She was entirely literal. One of the glorious things about having a sovereign Savior is that he is always multi-purposeful, and his purposes are always gracious for those who trust him. Now, as chapter 4 begins, we are told that Jesus left Judea in the South and headed for Galilee in the North and that he went through Samaria. 48Unless you people see signs and wonders,(AS) Jesus told him, you will never believe., 49The royal official said, Sir, come down before my child dies., 50Go, Jesus replied, your son will live., The man took Jesus at his word and departed. Just before He ascended to heaven, Jesus told his disciples, Go and make disciples of all nations. This is design. Not only that but a Rabbi never spoke to a woman in public, not even his own wife and he certainly never would have spoken to a Samaritan woman. But we must gather them in. The people of those northern tribes were dispersed, scattered around the Mediterranean world. He did not compromise the truth to win her favor. All friendships for believers must have a spiritual aspect, either for evangelism or for encouraging and building others up. Well, she did not know a lot, but this was one thing she did know. 4 Now Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard that he was gaining and baptizing more disciples than John 2 although in fact it was He did not have to go through Samaria. Notice what was most impressive to her about their conversation. No human being, no matter how wonderful can fill the place meant only for God. Sure, there is a risk involved. 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.. The disciples were as literal in their understanding as the woman was. Unable to see the glory of the only Son of God. Sermon Notes: Why the Lord is my Shepherd? Red Letter Art Christmas Ornaments & Christmas Cards, Twenty-Fifth Sunday After Pentecost Church Worksheets, The Top Ten Reasons to use the Historic Lectionary, Concordia, Wisconsin woes administration cancelling its own professor for whistleblowing, Commemoration of Saint Paul McCain, Theologian and Publisher. The gift he gave was so great that it And it has to do with why this woman was out at the well at this time of the day. (AG) 36Even now the one who reaps draws a wage and harvests(AH) a crop for eternal life,(AI) so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together. This water gives eternal life (verse 14: . But what about God? 51:5, NIV). WebJesus Talks With a Samaritan Woman. And my sons and daughters are superior they never die.. This does not mean he approved of her life style. And this woman at the well was one of them. 4 But He needed to go through Samaria. C. An authentic encounter will always be followed by individual transformation as well as a transformation of ones community. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Whether you have one, two, or three strikes against you, Jesus wants to talk to you today, just like he talked to the Samaritan woman at the well. She is just like Nicodemus. Not for permission to get a drink, but for a drink from her bucket. Do we believe or reject Him when He warns us that the love of money is the root of every kind of evil? The truth about Jesus that I want us to focus on in verses 115 is: The repetition of grace three times is intentional. Perhaps thats why she brought up which mountain to go to. Those are really the only two options anyone has and as we befriend people and witness for Christ, we must make this clear. Jesus knew all about her before he met her. It was just another ordinary and busy day in which she carried out her routine household duties. Jesus is pursuing this unacceptable relationship. B. Jesus life was always in sync with the Spirit. He asked a favor of her, put himself in a position of need. her worship. Like the Syrophoenician woman in Mark 7, this Samaritan woman pushes Jesus to the point that he declares that God will welcome all who worship God in spirit and truth. Her final rejoinder, When he [Messiah] comes, he will proclaim all things to us, opens up the space for And she had had five marriages before that, all of which apparently had failed. John 4 reveals that almighty God possesses an unceasing desire for true worshipers. And whats more, Jesus accepted her even though she had led a sinful, immoral life. Jesus does not urge the Samaritan woman at the well to repent or change her behavior. And rightly so. She doesnt taste it. But he was not discouraged by her cluelessness. But you may not have till next week. In John 3:3435, John had just said, He whom God has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure. Secondly, she was a Samaritan. In our day, in our crazy, decadent culture, this might not seem like such a big deal. Maybe Jesus even told them He would die for the sins of the world and rise again from the dead and they believed in Him. Your email address will not be published. WebJOHN 4:7-9 7 A Samaritan woman came to draw water. The story, preached in this sermon on the woman at the well, is a beautiful glimpse into Jesuss love for all humanity and desire for all people to experience His fullness. For 33 years, he served as pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church, Minneapolis, Minnesota. All of our resources exist to guide you toward everlasting joy in Jesus Christ. Jesus will not give up. Racial and religious obstacles, moral and social obstaclesthese were the barriers that stood in the way. He gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did his sons and his livestock. Is Jesus greater than Jacob? Now Jesus began to reveal who He was to her. That is why this is important. A stream of people was already coming down. Nicodemus failed to understand but the Woman understood and proclaimed it to others. You and I have received such a wonderful gift from God that we want to tell others about it and share it with them, too. God is seeking a gracious relationship with you. This will save us from unrealistic expectations and constant disappointment. It was about noon. He gives us what we so desperately need: acceptance, forgiveness, living water, eternal life. 3So he left Judea(B) and went back once more to Galilee. They had a corrupt mixture of Jewish and pagan religions. (Ps. You know, our Lord has an ample, never-ending supply of this living water to give. 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 revealed something about God that is nowhere else stated so clearly in the NT. ), B. a. He would even die for her. This man Jesus gave the Samaritan woman the gift of God: acceptance, forgiveness for her sins, living water, and eternal life. This is Johns version of the prodigal son (Luke 15) only here it is a prodigal daughter. Then, a couple of hundred years later, about 700 B.C., the northern kingdom was conquered by the Assyrian army. (The transformation of the village.). His acceptance of the woman did not mean ignoring her sins. 43After the two days(AN) he left for Galilee. viewed the Samaritans not only as the children of political rebels, but as racial half-breeds whose religion was tainted by various unacceptable elements. It just wasnt done. Now what could be so strange about that? 46Once more he visited Cana in Galilee, where he had turned the water into wine. The Samaritan woman is a woman of reputation as well but the lowest of the lowest class. So we have ethnic, racial, and religious issues here that made Jews feel disdain for Samaritans. You see, Jesus not only accepted the Samaritan woman, he did something much more. This will often happen when we try to share our faith. The Book of John Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones He is omniscient. He sat on the well. Because this man Jesus, this is indeed the Savior of the world.. Do you have a checkered past? John 4 gives the account of Jesus encounter with the immoral Samaritan woman at Jacobs well. So, are you thirsty? He spoke to a woman. You must decrease; I must increase. (AF) 35Dont you have a saying, Its still four months until harvest? For the solution to her problem was sitting right there at the well, in front of her. But he did so without compromising the truth. The new and abundant life that Jesus gives will last forever: They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any scorching heat. (N) 20Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain,(O) but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.(P), 21Woman, Jesus replied, believe me, a time is coming(Q) when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. She was shacking up with a guy. 42They said to the woman, We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world.(AM). Jesus said to her, Give me a drink. (For his disciples had gone away into the city to buy food.). In John 4, Jesus has a life-changing conversation with a Samaritan woman who is gathering water from a well. Long story short, he dedicated his life to service to God and led many people to Christ. The disciples had gone into the town and only brought back bread. NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Required fields are marked *. C. Encounters arent seasonal or geological. She senses some kind of claim to superiority here. WebA Samaritan Woman Meets Her Messiah. He gives you what he gave that woman at the well: living water. Jesus did something we can learn from. I mean, Im able to hide my faults and shortcomings from peoplewell, most of my faults from most people, at least. 4. You could wait till next week to taste and see to believe and receive him. The first step towards recognition of a need for salvation is for a person to acknowledge that she is a sinner. You cant be asking me to use the same bucket. WebJesus meets a Samaritan woman 4 1-7 Now when the Lord found that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus is making and baptising more disciples than Johnalthough, in fact, it was not Jesus who did the baptising but his discipleshe left Judea and went off again to Galilee, which meant passing through Samaria. What would her response be? Web( John 4:7-9) Jesus speaks with a Samaritan woman. I see wonderful examples of this in Christians who cross these barriers to reach out to immigrants and homeless people all over our city. It was about the sixth hour. Remember, Jesus and his disciples had already been walking for a number of hours. Jesus satisfies a thirst that water from a well can never quench. Start for FREE. Jesus skillfully shows her that she needs the living water that He The Cross And Separation From The World (1 Peter 4:1-6), 7. Jesus said to her, Give Me a drink. John 4:8 For His disciples had gone away into the city to buy food. Her genuine interest in the topic of worship indicates she was very religious. He spoke to an adulteress. Living water to her meant a fresh spring in contrast to a pool or cistern. Can you imagine what her self image was. God would not be the exclusive property of one race or one denomination. A.) Where can you get this living water? Read John 4:7-8 A. In 9 The Samaritan woman said But usually our problem is to know how do to do it. Yes, the Samaritan woman at the well was an immoral woman, sexually immoral, ostracized from her community, loaded down with shame and guilt. Why did that prompt Jesus to leave? Please read and accept our website Terms and Privacy Policy to post a comment. This was essential. We are learning that Jesus Christ was God living here in a human body, fully God and fully man. Most women would come out to the well earlier in the morning, before the heat of the day set in. The woman was interested. Cannot you hear her thinking: Would not it be wonderful to never have to come to the well again, never to run the risk of woman gossiping about her. Nobody can touch him without his permission. But Jesus went through Samaria because there was someone He had to see there. Reject strongholds (John 4:19-20) As this insightful conversation develops He had offered Himself to her as the One who could satisfy her souls thirst, the Messiah. Lets listen in on the conversation. He offers her Gods acceptance. Since they did not accept anything but the first 5 books of the O.T. And from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. When you see the glory of Jesus in these stories for what it really is the glory of the only Son from the Father you experience grace. It was just another This man really is the Savior of the world. It is interesting to see how her perception of Jesus had progressed as He gradually revealed himself. But its useless unless it transforms you within. His disciples To feel the force of what Jesus did in verses 68, it might help to compare it to the racial situation in my hometown fifty years ago. Their religious beliefs and practices were in need of correction. B. WebJohn 4 King James Version 4 When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John, 2 (Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,) 3 He left Judaea, and departed again into Galilee. He initiates relationships, He knew all about her life. The Samaritan Woman: A Well-Known Story (John 4:5-26, 27-30, 39-42), Does God really accept me? A woman from Samaria came to draw water. Even though you belong to a church that teaches the gospel in its truth and purity, perhaps some of your personal religious beliefs and practices need some correction and strengthening. Now does Jesus accept you? Theres plenty of living water to go around. That is why we will not be thirsty for God again. 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. What you have said is true.. This is exactly what happened to one marginalized woman from Samaria. Since He is now in heaven, He has given us the responsibility to reveal God, our heavenly Father, through our lives so that others may be born into His family, and He modeled for us in His many relationships how to be a true friend to others. E.g. They hated the Samaritans, they considered them to be racial and religious half breeds. And what difference does that make? 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. In this exchange Jesus introduces a dimension to friendship we cannot ignore. Now she sidetracked him into a religious discussion. This is graciously relational. 12Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well(I) and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his livestock?, 13Jesus answered, Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. . I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! He accepted her even though her religious views were in need of correction. And not only did he accept her, he pointed her in the right direction, in the direction of the truth, the Truth who was sitting right there in front of her: Jesus himself, the one who is the way, the truth, and the life. Jesus is that salvation come from the Jews. And he accepts her. When he comes, he will explain everything to us., 26Then Jesus declared, I, the one speaking to youI am he.(Y), 27Just then his disciples returned(Z) and were surprised to find him talking with a woman. A. Healing Water original sound - Glasford UMC. Like you didnt belong? Its the gift of God (verse 10: If you knew the gift of God). And you yourself may have doubts and uncertainties in your faith. (C) 5So he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground Jacob had given to his son Joseph. Our Father loves us and proved it by sending his Son to be the Savior of the world. But instead we spend our time and energy drinking water from the worlds broken cisterns and wonder why we are still thirsty. He always has thousands of purposes in everything he does. Talk about an encounter! This was a deliberate choice other Jews never made. That is exactly what he did when He died on the cross and rose from the dead. He means to have her in heaven. We need to remember that encounters are heavenly appointments, although they look like random supernatural manifestations. And so when the disciples come back later, and they see this happening, theyre a little surprised, if not shocked. Everything is intentional. 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! promises about a Savior coming from the Jewish people were true. She was literal. And so the Samaritans had gotten off track from the accepted norm. Sermon Series: How to discern Gods will. That maybe youre being looked down upon by otherswhether fairly or unfairly. But this woman didnt go out to the well at that time, when the other women would be there. 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. They marveled that he was talking with a woman. So that was strike one against Jesus having a conversation with her: She was a woman. But I want to base this particular sermon on the Samaritan Womans encounter with Jesus. The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand. These are breathtaking words. John 4:5 Also, any comments with profanity, name-calling, and/or a nasty tone will be deleted. The main relationship not the only one in this story is the relationship between Jesus and the woman at the well in Samaria. And so you and I can say, with those Samaritans who came to faith in Christwe can say joyfully about Jesus: We know that this is indeed the Savior of the world., Your email address will not be published. He tells us here, as he told them, that we all are to be working at gathering in a crop for eternal life. 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. Q. If you do the fire it ignited within you will die. [a]), 10Jesus answered her, 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.(H), 11Sir, the woman said, you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. He forgives it. So he is not leaving Judea because he is afraid of the Pharisees.