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. Christians have long wrestled with the continuities and discontinuities of worship, and confusion in this area has often led to problems with theology and practice of worship. Jesus answered, "I who speak to you am he." Next, the Samaritan woman went to draw water from the well at noon. She is honest. Only the poor were left. 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. Dustyn is also an ordained minister of Word and sacrament in the Reformed Church in America and previously served as a pastor at North Holland Reformed Church in Holland, Michigan. The following are some outstanding characteristics of the Samaritan woman: She was an observant woman (John 4:9). It is possible that she had been married five times and all her husbands Article Images Copyright , What We Can Learn from Ruth and Naomi - Women in the Bible, a series, California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. is probably because of the great amount of scripture devoted to the conversation between her and On its surface, the story chronicles ethnic prejudice and a woman shunned by her community. Abstract The dialogue between Jesus and the Samaritan woman has universal religious consequences. In summary, Jesus was trying to avoid controversy with the religious leaders over his ministry. When Jesus chose to engage her in conversation this was new and different. Most women would come early in the morning or late in the evening to collect water. Take time to look at the Samaritan woman inside yourself this week. What Does It Mean That "Your Life Is Hidden with Christ"? 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. Everywhere He went, Jesus interacted with the poor and outcast. Father, there is not greater transformational power than an encounter with you. She has no theology degree, no professional training; but she knows Jesus is the One Savior of the World. More insights from your Bible study - Get Started with Logos Bible Software for Free! The Insights Bible Study looked at several woman this week, but Tracey Henkel continues this week's teaching focusing on the Samaritan woman. A Rabbi might not even speak to his own wife or daughter or sister in public. Jesus illustrates this in Matthew 8:3. Jesus is the living water that we need. By the 20th century the Samaritan population dwindled to fewer than 200 individuals, but it grew steadily to about 800 in the 2010s. Through this statement, he shows her that His word is true. Hes always listening to our whispered prayers and our silent prayers. Your email address will not be published. The woman said to Him, I know that the Messiah is coming (He who is called Christ); when that One comes, He will declare all things to us. 26 Jesus *said to her, I am He, the One speaking to you. Lord, help me not to be so caught up in rules that I would miss you. Let me say YES Give me what I long for. She knew the rules, but wasnt necessarily a rule follower. How ready are you for God to reveal himself to you in mighty ways? Jesus is sovereign and sees the sin within our hearts (1 Timothy 5:15). It may also have been that she was married and divorced five times. Fact #2: Mary was from the tribe of Judah and the lineage of David. Imagine how freeing it must have been for her to find out that although she wasnt allowed in temple, she could still talk to God. 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. What you have just said is quite true.Sir, the woman said, I can see that you are a prophet.. Today, Samaria is in what is now the northern West Bank. Jacob's Well is mentioned by name once in the New Testament in a passage ( John 4:5-6) which says that Jesus "came to a city of Samaria called Sychar, near the field which Jacob gave to his son Joseph. Above all, the story, which unfolds in John 4:1-40, suggests that Jesus is a loving and accepting God, and we should follow his example. 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). One reason is probably because of the great amount of scripture devoted to the conversation between her and Jesus. In the ninth year of Hoshea, the Assyrians took It starts right there where Jesus wants you to see yourself. Jesus and His disciples had left Judea and traveled north toward Galilee. Though we are not told this womans name, she has the longest conversation with Jesus of any character in the book of John. 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. Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain Image/Nicolaes Roosendael. How can you offer her living water? 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. It was about the sixth hour. Cast out. The Samaritans are also said to have expected the Messiah, as did the Jews; but they felt God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth. John 4:22-24 NASB. If you are a Bible study teacher, you are free to allow this content to influence the lessons you teach or the sermons you present. 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. So their religion was built on half truths that were convenient to them. The Bible mentions plenty of stories about Samaritans, and the hatred between Jews and Samaritans features prominently in the Gospels. Her name is Photina. She responds honestly and succinctly, I have no husband (4:17). Alyssa Roatstudied writing, theology, and the Bible at Taylor University. She thus asked Him about the true worship, whether it was of the Jews or the Samaritans. One of his most famous parables is that of the good Samaritan. They too were shocked to find him speaking to a woman. Equipping Christian Women to Abide in God's Word. By asking her about her past 5 husbands and the current state of her life, he forced her to acknowledge that she was not living a life worthy of her worth. Yet, we often don't see that the satisfaction we so desire can only be filled by a Messiah who speaks in spirit and truth. The Samaritans saw themselves as the true descendants of Israel and preservers of the true religion, while considering the Jerusalem temple and Levitical priesthood illegitimate. During his encounter with the woman at the well, Jesus broke three Jewish customs. However, the Samaritans remaining in the land opposed the rebuilding efforts and caused problems for Nehemiah and his fellow workers (Nehemiah 6:1-14). 4 Things Christians Can Learn from The Story of the Woman at the Well 1. This post want enlightening as well as informative. This is the type of woman the Samaritan was. What can we learn from the Samaritan Woman at the well? In response Jesus declares, I am he. In a sudden turn, this woman from whom Jesus earlier asked for a drink, has now found her own thirst for theological understanding quenched. All of us need to repent of our sins and leave them in the past; then, with our mistakes behind And not any Messiah, the One we meet is weary too. The northern kingdom fared worse than the southern kingdom, with a long line of wicked rulers. What Do We Learn from Reading Jesus Genealogy? How can you ask me for a drink? (John 4:9). Jesus promises living water that gives eternal life and invites her to bring the rest of her householdspecifically, her husbandto receive the goodness he is offering. The Samaritans were people who lived in what had been the Northern Kingdom of Israel. In the end, Many Samaritans from that city believed in him because of the womans testimony (John 4:39, NRSV). And yet, she is eager for the eternal abundance Jesus promises. During his encounter with the woman at the well, Jesus broke three Jewish customs. RELATED: 7 Powerful faith lessons from the prodigal son. Also, for providing a wealth of contextual detail. Ashamed. Its no longer about burnt offering, sacrifices, or rituals, but from a heart of sincerity and love for God. Who is a woman you know who may be bearing the weight of sin, guilt, and shame? Lord, let me realize my weakness and my need for a Savior day after day. An expert in the law stood up to test Jesus and asked what he must do to inherit eternal life. Jesus needed her to realize that she needed to get out of that mans bed! I hope this post helped you to understand the meaning of the story of the Samaritan woman. She speaks of her anticipation of the fuller understanding she will receive when the Messiah comes. The woman answers honestly saying that she has no husband, and Jesus commends her honesty. For with shrieks, impure spirits came out of many, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. The Samaritan woman's story exemplifies the grace of God. What does it mean to worship in Spirit and Truth? God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. - Romans 5:8. A knowledge which explains her astonished reaction and unbelief (v. 9). Many of us are looking for our religious system to fill us, but it is only an encounter with the Messiah that can satisfy. These half-Jewish, half-Gentile people became known as the Samaritans. Proud member 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). To fully grasp the story of the woman at the well, it's important to understand who the Samaritans were--a mixed-race people, who had intermarried with the Assyrians centuries before. The Woman at the Well Bible Story Study Guide. Jesus meets this Samaritan woman at Jacobs Well after a mornings journey and disregards social custom by asking her for a drink. He saw her potential to become a fully committed daughter of God. Then in church a few weeks ago, we meditated on the verses of Jesus encounter with this woman from John 4. Jesus saw our sin and was willing to shed His blood and endure immense suffering for the sake of our satisfaction and eternal life. Both kingdoms devolved into corruption and sin, despite repeated warnings from prophets sent by God. If a stranger could reveal her own story to her, this has got to be the Messiah. Opportunities abound, but we need to be wise and understand how best to take adavatage of the situation. When he offered her the water, she thought he meant literal water. Found. To worship in truth means that we worship in accordance with what has been revealed in Gods word. She may have been Because of His magnificent sacrifice, our life should exalt His name (Matthew 5:16). Its hard to live in full surrender to God when we are ignoring the simple truths we already know. She said to the people, Come and see a man who has told me everything Ive done! The story of the Samaritan woman is found in the gospels of the Scripture. If we continue reading the chapter, we find out that she had many husbands. 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. Him gladly.

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