The woman at the well is a familiar story to most Christians. In my study, I came across some details that add some texture to this miraculous and astonishing story. As you may know, for various reasons, Jews did not associate with Samaritans. Jews also believed men should avoid social contact with women to avoid ceremonial defilement. In spite of these two edicts, when Jesus found himself alone with a Samaritan woman at the well, he engaged her in conversation and requested help getting a drink. Naturally, the Samaritan woman questioned Jesus about why he would even speak to her, let alone ask him for a drink.
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.” John 4:10 (NASB)
In his response, Jesus referred to himself as a “gift of God” while at the same time implying he had supernatural powers. The woman was not yet convinced and Jesus went on to give her a more complete picture.
Jesus answered and said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again; but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.” John 4:13-14 (NASB)
The offer Jesus made to the woman was certainly appealing to her, but she was not yet ready to accept the miraculous claims Jesus was making. In an effort to shine the bright light of truth on this situation, Jesus provided the woman with some information that would have been impossible for him to know.
The woman answered and said, “I have no husband.” Jesus said to her, “You have correctly said, ‘I have no husband’; for you have had five husbands, and the one whom you now have is not your husband; this you have said truly.” John 4:17-18 (NASB)
At this point Jesus had the full attention of the woman at the well. She was ready to believe he had been sent by God, but she was concerned that being a Samaritan she wasn’t worshiping in the right place to be considered worthy. Jesus made it clear that no one would be excluded from God’s plan.
“But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers.” John 4:23 (NASB)
The woman had heard the Jews talking about the coming Messiah and let Jesus know she suspected he might be the one they were talking about. Jesus then made the astonishing proclamation that clearly established his credentials.
Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am He.” John 4:26 (NASB)
This overwhelming encounter sent the woman running back to town to share this amazing news. Before long Jesus was speaking to crowds of Samaritans – many came to believe.
“It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves and know that this One is indeed the Savior of the world.” John 4:42 (NASB)
Jesus presented himself to be Messiah-Savior to the Samaritans and many were eager to drink from the well of living water. There are many people today who, like the Samaritans, are ready to believe if only they had a chance to hear the clear teachings of Jesus. It is up to us who know Jesus to share his truth at every opportunity.
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