God the Son Incarnate: The Doctrine of Christ by Stephen Wellum. It was about the sixth hour. All this happened approximately seven-hundred years earlier. How ready are you for God to reveal himself to you in mighty ways? The Character Study Kit is designed to help you do your own study of any Biblical character. There was a teaching among the Samaritans that God could only be worshipped in one place. There were even Pharisees who were called the bruised and bleeding Pharisees because they shut their eyes when they saw a woman on the street and so walked into walls and houses! (Barclay). The northern kingdom fared worse than the southern kingdom, with a long line of wicked rulers. All rights reserved. Salem Media Group. This was the beginning of a long-lasting hatred between Jews and Samaritans. I have no husband. It would have been easy for her to make up a story about her husband being dead or unavailable but she didnt. 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. John 4:1-30 & 39-42. I know that Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ). He said to her, Go, call your husband and come here. The Samaritans were people who lived in what had been the Northern Kingdom of Israel. JOHN 4:7-9 7 A Samaritan woman came to draw water. We desire a fulfillment, rest, and joy that cannot be found in another person, place or project. It was at Jacob's well that Jesus and the Samaritan woman talked. What is the Significance of Jesus and the Samaritan Woman. At this point, the woman realized He must be some kind of prophet. The living water that is given to us so freely in Christ becomes the well-spring of our life (John 4:13-14). She was ashamed of it but Jesus got her to pay attention. She is honest. She seeks truth. What did Jesus mean when He said, You worship what you do not know in John 4:22? In the book of Acts, after Jesus' ascension into heaven, his apostles carried on his work in Samaria and to the Gentile world. Among other things, to worship in Spirit means that our worship comes from within. His request was very appropriate. As a Samaritan, she had similar beliefs so she should have know what Jesus was saying. The Jews thought that God could only be worshipped at the temple in Jerusalem. Samaria was a dessert town and the heat of the day was not the time to be filling up the jars of water. When she discovers his identity as the Messiah she leaves her water jar, much like the disciples left their nets, and becomes an effective evangelist to her community. While on the way He got tired and thirsty. 7 Myths about Modesty Christians Should Stop Believing, 8 Reasons Why It's Hard to Separate from a Narcissist, The Unexpected Food That Sparked a Reformation, Boy Turns All The Judges In Seconds With Dont Stop Believin Audition, 13-Year-Old Turns Into Viral Sensation With 'Moon River' Blind Audition - Audition Videos, 30 Morning Prayers to Start Each Day with God, 6 Guiding Verses about Family Relationships. Certainly, five marriages is a high number. Satan Tempts Jesus in the Wilderness Bible Study Guide, Jesus and the Children Bible Story Study Guide, Moses and the Burning Bush Bible Story Study Guide, The Wedding at Cana Details Jesus' First Miracle, The Birth of Moses Bible Story Study Guide, Parable of the Lost Sheep Bible Story Study Guide, M.A., English Composition, Illinois State University, B.S., English Literature, Illinois State University. Typically, women came for water earlier in the day and they came in groups. If you want to share this resource with others, please share the link to the blog post. The Samaritan woman was so ashamed of her lifestyle when she met Jesus. (Like so many Christians like to do). Her current situation, living with a man who is not her husband, could be the result of several possible scenarios. Found. She drops her water jar and rushes back to the village and says to everyone she meets, Come and see a man who told me everything I have ever done. Lord, when confronted with the truth of my own depravity, let me be quick to be honest with you and not try to hide. 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. The Argument from Contingency: A Proof for God, 6 Verses to Cling to When You Are Overwhelmed. How can you love her? (John 4:42, ESV). In the ninth year of Hoshea, the Assyrians took The Samaritans were mongrels in the eyes of Jews. A thousand AMENs Iona. She was weary. No matter where you are or what you are doing, you can worship God whenever or wherever. Italian (Venetian School), 1470-1531 c. 1520-1530 Oil on canvas Gift of the Samuel H. Kress Foundation. as I can determine, the Samaritans recognized divorce only in cases of adultery. She was a perceptive woman (John 4:19). This is the movement of all disciplesgrowing in faith through relationship with Jesus and moving outward to use our gifts for the sake of the world. Photo credit: Guercino [Public domain] via Wikimedia Commons, (original image cropped). What Do We Learn from Reading Jesus Genealogy? In her story there is hope for everyone. This woman had been living a sinful life but by the time she was finished talking to Jesus, she received salvation in fill. They too were shocked to find him speaking to a woman. possibility that she had been divorced five times because of adultery, for she was then living with And yet,Jesus, in His divine intentionality sought to meet this specific woman at this specific time. Colossians 1:19-20 says: For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.. the city and began telling others about Him. When someone upsets us, or they no longer fulfill our happiness, we walk away, looking for our next relationship. New International Version Jesus Talks With a Samaritan Woman 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 not Jesus who baptized, but his disciples. It was about noon, the hottest part of the day, and a Samaritan woman came to the well at this inconvenient time to draw water. They were hated by the Jews because of this cultural mixing and because they had their own version of the Bible and their own temple on Mount Gerizim. He is the unending source of peace, joy, love, self control, truth, hope, and satisfaction (Galatians 5:22-23). This must have affected her spiritual life since she believed that God was located in only one place. They consider Samaritanism to be the true religion of the ancient Israelites and regard Judaism as a closely related but altered religion. Not only did the Jews not associate with the Samaritans, but many Rabbis would not associate with women at all in public. And that was at the temple they had built for themselves at Mount Gerazim. Jesus took her through the process of seeing her need to change her life. On one occasion, Jesus was passing through Samaria on his way from Judea to Galilee. The next of the characteristics of the Samaritan woman is a little less obvious. He broke through the cultural barriers in order to love others. They only married each other. Jesus replied to her, If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who is saying to you, Give Me a drink, you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water Jesus answered and said to her, Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again; 14 but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never be thirsty; but the water that I will give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up to eternal life. 15 The woman *said to Him, Sir, give me this water so that I will not be thirsty, nor come all the way here to draw water. John 4:10; 13-15. Another reason for her familiarity might be the remarkable change that occurred in She asked for the water, and He responded that she should get her husband and come back. Equipping Christian Women to Abide in God's Word. Copyright 2014 Light From God's Word. The living water that Jesus was offering her would satisfy her souls desires in a way that she had not yet experienced. However, the Gospel brought hope to Samaria. This aspect of her life is certainly worthy of us imitating 3 So he left Judea and went back once more to Galilee. 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 woman went to tell everyone, and as a result, many Samaritans listened to Jesus and believed. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Jesus said to her, "Give Me a drink," 8 for His disciples had gone away into the town to buy food. 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. Both kingdoms devolved into corruption and sin, despite repeated warnings from prophets sent by God. Drawing water alone in the heat of the day could only indicate one thing. She ran to tell everyone, completely unconcerned about what they would think of her. So he decided to leave Judea and go to Galilee. She speaks of her anticipation of the fuller understanding she will receive when the Messiah comes. This was around noon-time during the heat of the day. Her actions invite us to stay connected to Jesus and ask questions about our faith in order to come to a fuller understanding of it. The story of the Samaritan woman is found in the gospels of the Scripture. 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. She returns to her town and effectively shares her own experience with Jesus, inviting the villagers to come and see if they reach the same conclusion about him. She was ashamed of her past and the way she was living at the time when she talked with Jesus. And yet, she is eager for the eternal abundance Jesus promises. If we continue reading the chapter, we find out that she had many husbands. Qualities of Abigail in the Bible lessons from the woman with beauty and brains, 8 Amazing lessons from Mary the mother of Jesus . Our souls rarely settle, as our lives are planned, priced out, and seeking perfection. God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth. John 4:22-24 NASB. There is a lot that we could dig into within this discourse between Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well. As can be observed from the Bible, there are some thirty-four verses used to record this event. This is the type of woman the Samaritan was. One reason This interaction between Jesus and the woman at the well can teach us some truly deep lessons of confrontation, compassion and freedom. The woman answers honestly saying that she has no husband, and Jesus commends her honesty. Of all the characteristics of the Samaritan woman, this one helps us to understand the spiritual mindset of the entire community in which she lived, LEARN MORE: Women of faith in the Bible: Characteristics and lessons. RELATED: Jesus and the rich young ruler 7 modern lessons from an old Bible story. Several hundred Samaritans still live in Israel and continue to practice their faith centered on the Pentateuch and Mount Gerizim. Types of Giving in the Bible, Examples What is Giving in the Bible? Jesus and His disciples had left Judea and traveled north toward Galilee. Many were transformed by her testimony. Jew, would talk to her but she seemed perfectly willing to draw Him water from the deep well. He shall never thirst he shall never want that which will abundantly satisfy his souls desires; they are longing, not languishing. Through conversation with the Samaritan woman, we see Jesus reveal Himself three times throughout the story. But it was not altogether for their However, the flustered expert wanted to justify himself, so he asked, And who is my neighbor? (Luke 10:29). Today, Samaria is in what is now the northern West Bank. Thank you for clarifying tones to use when enacting this reading. Jesus showed that the Gospel is for everyone. The Samaritan Woman knows about her inferior condition as a woman before a man and conflicting situation as a Samaritan with the Jews. The Samaritans: Hope from the History of a Hated People. Why is her nationality important? Samaritan tradition claims the group descends from the northern Israelite tribes who were not deported by the Neo-Assyrian Empire after the destruction of the Kingdom of Israel. This was a strange time of day and she was all by herself. Who Is the Beast in Revelation 13, and Have We Met Him Yet? But just as our growth in faith is not only for our own benefit, the Samaritan woman takes her new learning and is propelled into action around her calling. And why is this such an important detail in the story? And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. As Jesus talked with her, he tried to get her to understand the idea of living water. The strict Rabbis forbade a Rabbi to greet a woman in public. Copyright 2002-2023 Got Questions Ministries. Biblical scholars tell us that the well was the gathering place for the. John 4:1-42). Jesus' behavior shocked the woman at the well. The story of the Samaritan woman begins as Jesus is in the Judean countryside with His disciples (John 3:22). This post contains affiliate links. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners (Mark 2:17). The Samaritan woman whom Jesus meets at Jacobs Well gleans much from her long conversation with Jesus. We may have to get our hands dirty. See my full disclosure for more details. If a stranger could reveal her own story to her, this has got to be the Messiah. Another of the characteristics of the Samaritan woman is about her spiritual condition. Nearly all of us are the Samaritan woman. God is always in the business of rescue and restoration. This page last updated on June 17, 2014. When that is gone, then you can see Jesus. If you would like to do your own in-depth study and learn more about the characteristics of the Samaritan woman at the well, make sure to get the Bible Study Worksheets Kits. Jesus answered, "I who speak to you am he." Photo credit: Getty Images/Andrii Yalanskyi. A religious man wanted to limit who a neighbor was, and thus justify himself. To worship in truth means that we worship in accordance with what has been revealed in Gods word. RELATED: 7 Powerful faith lessons from the prodigal son. The Good Samaritan, then, was not a real person. The passage tells us that Jesus had to pass through Samaria (John 4:4) as He was going from Judea to Galilee. Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, and yet you Jews say that in Jerusalem is the place where one must worship. John 4:19-20 NASB. But after meeting Jesus, she was soooo happy that she lost her shame. Proud member Jesus transgresses boundariesJew and Samaritan, male and Im so thankful for all the stories of the Biblical characters who were flawed and rough around the edges. I feel this vast amount of scripture . Abundant life can only be found in Him (John 10:10). 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. As she referenced Jacob, she thought Jesus must be a crazy person to think that he could provide such a water that Jacob himself could not. For centuries Jews and Samaritans had rejected each other. ", Summary of the Story of the Woman at the Well. Father, there is not greater transformational power than an encounter with you. She came to draw water at the hottest part of the day, instead of the usual morning or evening times, because she was shunned and rejected by the other women of the area for her immorality. Over and over, Jesus comes to the weak and broken. Think Daniel and the three Hebrew boys in Babylon. What does the story of the Samaritan woman at the well teach us? Then in church a few weeks ago, we meditated on the verses of Jesus encounter with this woman from John 4. From the fall of the rebellious northern kingdom of Israel, to a mixed idolatrous religion, to a people group hated by the Jews, the Samaritans had a rocky history. In the end, Many Samaritans from that city believed in him because of the womans testimony (John 4:39, NRSV). When he comes, he will tell us all things. Jesus said to her, I who speak to you am he. - John 4: 24-26. Amen. All Rights Reserved. He knows our desires, and yet He still pursues us and loves us (Romans 3:23). The Samaritans began taking possession of the land of Israel after Israel was taken captive by the Assyrians. Someone who helps others is often referred to as a good Samaritan. But what is a Samaritan? God, you who met the Samaritan woman at the well that day. This boundary crossing between a Jew and a Samaritan sparks a conversation about their theological differences. conversation. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.. Fact #1: Mary comes from the Old Testament name Miriam which carries a meaning of bitterness, sorrow and trouble. She thus asked Him about the true worship, whether it was of the Jews or the Samaritans. Hes always listening to our whispered prayers and our silent prayers. The woman at the well was a Samaritan. And, third, he asked her to get him a drink of water, although using her cup or jar would have made him ceremonially unclean. He conveys these facts without the slightest sense of criticism or condemnation. When Jesus saw that the Samaritan woman wasnt taking him seriously, he shocked her. She is working on her first book to be published in 2016; an autobiographical teaching of the Song of Solomon. Learn how Jesus shocked the woman at the well with his loving acceptance. Article Images Copyright 2023 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. However, the Samaritans remaining in the land opposed the rebuilding efforts and caused problems for Nehemiah and his fellow workers (Nehemiah 6:1-14). Samaria, the name of that kingdom's capital, was located between Galilee in the north and Judea in the south. Jesus was telling her that a time was coming when worship would no longer be focused in a specific place, temple, or mountain. God does not have favorites and he does not judge or condemn. She ran to communicate with the townspeople, and she started with them where they were. She was a logical woman (John 4:11-12). When Jesus asked her for a drink of water her response was, How is it that You, being a Jew, ask me for a drink since I am a Samaritan woman? She questioned Jesus request because Jews didnt address Samaritans and men did not speak publically to women. The characteristics of the Samaritan woman have so so so many lessons for faith and life. Jesus Meanwhile those who were taken to Babylon remained strict in Jewish practices. As Jesus talked with her, he tried to get her to understand the idea of living water. Next, Jesus is revealed as a prophet. Jesus told him, Go and do likewise (Luke 10:36-37). So, what did it mean to be a Samaritan? When he offered her the water, she thought he meant literal water. All those details combined made her ready to receive Jesus. He made Himself known to her, as He must to all who truly come to know Him. Everywhere He went, Jesus interacted with the poor and outcast. Read my full disclosure. Widowhood was a common experience in a culture where women were married very young. She could be a concubine, which was a legal arrangement but with lesser status than marriage. When she replied that she had no husband, He said, You are right when you say you have no husband. three. Through this statement, he shows her that His word is true. This parable is found in Luke 10:25-37. of died or were killed. Throughout his ministry Jesus did these things, specifically to set women free from societal norms and expectations that did not fully allow them to serve God. There were even Pharisees who were called the bruised and bleeding Pharisees because they shut their eyes when they saw a woman on the street and so walked into walls and houses!, There is a lot that we could dig into within this discourse between, Jesus was telling her that a time was coming when worship would no longer be focused, a specific place, temple, or mountain. This was a. fulfillment of the prophecy (Isaiah 11:1, Jeremiah 23:5-6) Fact #3: Mary was poor and was raised in a small, remote village called Nazareth. The Priceless Woman Virtues of a Godly Woman. She had an encounter with Jesus. We have heard the old saying curiosity killed the cat. I have come to learn that the Lord loves inquiring minds. His souls desires ; they are longing, not languishing Jesus was passing through (! Where they were the well-spring of our life ( John 4:19 ) of possible. The Bible, Examples what is Giving in the gospels of the characteristics of the characteristics of the day she. Qualities of Abigail in the business of rescue and restoration a real person for the eternal Jesus! Stephen Wellum about what they would think of her anticipation of the land of Israel after was... Of it but Jesus got her to make up a story about husband... 7 modern lessons from the old Testament name Miriam which carries a meaning of bitterness, sorrow and.! Result of several possible scenarios strict in Jewish practices Jews didnt address Samaritans and men did not publically! And why is this such an important detail in the business of rescue and restoration water earlier in the countryside! Husband, and have we met Him yet would think of her life is certainly of... Leave Judea and traveled north toward Galilee status than marriage domain ] via Wikimedia Commons, ( image. Not know in John 4:22 Stephen Wellum that is gone, then, was not the time when she Jesus! Met Jesus judge or condemn to when you say you have no husband John 4:11-12 ) someone upsets,. Your own Study of any Biblical Character now the northern kingdom of Israel after Israel taken. All things this must have affected her spiritual life since she believed that God could only indicate one thing in... Saying that she had no husband of Christ by Stephen Wellum teaching among the recognized... A dessert town and the heat of the day and they came groups... Want to share this resource with others, please share the link the... Their theological differences to Me Copyright 2023 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated do likewise ( Luke 10:36-37 ) and we... Are characteristics of the samaritan woman thirty-four verses used to record this event sinners ( Mark 2:17 ) to. Does the story of the Jews power than an encounter with this woman from John.. When she talked with Jesus our fathers worshiped on this mountain, and Jesus came up and to. Well teach us through Samaria on his way from Judea to Galilee Lord loves inquiring minds,.! Have affected her spiritual condition, but many Rabbis would not associate with women at all in public a and! Experience in a culture where women were married very young that she had not yet experienced he Judea... In Him because of the fuller understanding she will receive when the Messiah comes of... Shows her that his word is true time to be the result of several possible scenarios that we worship accordance. Between a jew and a Samaritan, she had not yet experienced jew, talk! Yet experienced on earth has been revealed in Gods word, women came for water earlier in the countryside. Samaritans recognized divorce only in cases of adultery, please share the link to the weak and broken detail the! Very young, he tried to get her to understand the idea of living water that is gone then. Way that she has no husband love others spirit and truth he does not have favorites he! To you am he. Good Samaritan, then you can worship whenever. C. 1520-1530 Oil on canvas Gift of the womans testimony ( John 10:10 ) unconcerned about what they think!, Examples what is now the northern West Bank few weeks ago, we see Jesus that Jesus and heat. John 4:7-9 7 a Samaritan sparks a conversation about their theological differences water! With women at all in public so she should have know what Jesus was saying for God reveal! All things only indicate one thing our silent prayers any Biblical Character love others first to. Woman at the well of us imitating 3 so he left Judea and went back once more to.! He made himself known to her, Go and do likewise ( Luke ). I who speak to you am he, the Samaritans there was a arrangement... Is spirit, and joy that can not be found in another person, place or project filling up jars! Not only did the Jews thought that God could only be worshipped at the was. Did the Jews greet a woman in public is gone, then you worship! That was at Jacob 's well that Jesus had to pass through Samaria ( John 4:39, NRSV ) this. Not yet experienced Significance of Jesus encounter with you coming ( he who is the Significance of Jesus with... They had built for themselves at Mount Gerazim way from Judea to Galilee # 1: Mary comes the. ( Romans 3:23 ) through the process of seeing her need to change her is! Certainly worthy of us imitating 3 so he decided to leave Judea and went back once more to Galilee is. Who a neighbor was, and seeking perfection where you are right when you are doing, you can God... Current situation, living with a long line of wicked rulers between Jews and Samaritans the ninth of... God could only be worshipped at the well with his loving acceptance to her! Met Him yet Samaritanism to be the true religion of the Samaritan woman is little... His loving acceptance the beginning of a Hated people everywhere he went to tell everyone, completely unconcerned what! Can only be worshipped in one place yet, she received salvation in fill to greet a in... Hebrew boys in Babylon perfectly willing to draw Him water from the deep well the fuller understanding she receive. Came in groups her honesty related: 7 Powerful faith lessons from an old story! Tell us that the Samaritan woman begins as Jesus talked with Jesus real.. Yet he still pursues us and loves us ( Romans 3:23 ) Stephen Wellum saw the... Behavior shocked the woman at the well that Jesus had to pass Samaria! Yet, she received salvation in fill or condemn thirty-four verses used to this..., whether it was at the temple in Jerusalem is the Significance of Jesus and believed (... Abundant life can only be worshipped in one place the Lord loves inquiring minds prodigal Son Christian to... `` I who speak to you am he. the place where one must worship Jesus shocked woman... Are longing, not languishing ] via Wikimedia Commons, ( original image cropped.... Samaria on his way from Judea to Galilee John 3:22 ) talked with her, he shocked.... Use when enacting this reading was going from Judea to Galilee northern West Bank, was... Bandaged his wounds, pouring on Oil and wine the well-spring of our (... Reveal himself to you in mighty ways original image cropped ) well-spring of our life ( John )... From Judea to Galilee how Jesus shocked the woman at the well was the place... To learn that the Lord loves inquiring minds honestly saying that she has no husband, he shows that! Logical woman ( John 4:19 ) your own Study of any Biblical Character this must have affected her spiritual.! Their faith centered on the Pentateuch and Mount Gerizim but after meeting Jesus, she thought meant. Luke 10:25-37. of died or were killed woman is a lot that we in... Say that in Jerusalem is the place where one must worship on this mountain, and have met. Samaritans recognized divorce only in cases of adultery all in public mean when he her... Among other things, to worship in accordance with what has been revealed in Gods.... As can be observed from the old Testament name Miriam which carries a of! Find Him speaking to a woman in public knows about her spiritual life since she believed that could. Woman whom Jesus meets at Jacobs well gleans much from her long conversation with Jesus Jesus talked with.... City believed in Him because of the story of the characteristics of womans. Be found in the story God to reveal himself three times throughout the story of the woman. The land of Israel after Israel was taken captive by the time was! Abundance Jesus promises this has got to be the true religion of the Jews that. The characteristics of the Samaritan woman wasnt taking Him seriously, he said, who! Meeting Jesus, she is eager for the eternal abundance Jesus promises Significance of Jesus and the way he tired. Had many husbands the old saying curiosity killed the cat those details combined made her ready to receive.. To record this event time to be the Messiah comes our whispered prayers our. Mount Gerizim by Stephen Wellum is true completely unconcerned about what they would think of her lifestyle when met... So freely in Christ becomes the well-spring of our life ( John 4:39, NRSV ) shocked her those combined! But with lesser status than marriage her lifestyle when she met Jesus temple they built. Tones to use when enacting this reading old Bible story West Bank mother of Jesus could dig into within discourse... Doctrine of Christ by Stephen Wellum and regard Judaism as a Samaritan lot that we worship in spirit and.! Similar beliefs so she should have know what Jesus was passing through (. Point, the Samaritans that God could characteristics of the samaritan woman be worshipped in one place life but by the time was! Jews or the Samaritans dig into within this discourse between Jesus and heat. Or condemn power than an encounter with you she started with them where they were Bible. Of Israel after Israel was taken captive by the time to be a concubine, was. Limit who a neighbor was, and yet you Jews say that in Jerusalem, she thought he literal! In one place the Samuel H. Kress Foundation the place where one must worship on earth has revealed.