Woman at the Well

Each of the women of the Bible offer us a daily lesson to be learned. Their every actions we can look to as a learning experience and application for our own lives. This awesome woman of Samaria is no different. Let us place ourselves in her shoe's as we walk together through her experience with Christ.

As Jesus traveled through Samaria we see that He stopped by a well to rest. He came across a woman that we simply know as the Samaritan woman or the Woman at the well. How you may ask can so much be learned from a woman who's name wasn't even mentioned? As we look at her background we may be thinking well, I have nothing in common with her, what possible application could I apply to my own life. Well Beloved there are many commanarities that we have with this woman. Let us take a look as the scriptures unfold to see what we can receive from this Woman of the Word.

1 Therefore, when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John 2 (though Jesus Himself did not baptize, but His disciples), 3 He left Judea and departed again to Galilee. 4 But He needed to go through Samaria. 5 So He came to a city of Samaria which is called Sychar, near the plot of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. 6 Now Jacob's well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied from His journey, sat thus by the well. It was about the sixth hour. 7 A woman of Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, "Give Me a drink." 8 For His disciples had gone away into the city to buy food. 9 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 verse's 7-9 we see Jesus asking this woman for a drink and her response to him. There was a strong, bitter, and long rivalry between Jews who felt they had a pure faith, and the Samaritans who had a syncretic, eclectic, mongrel faith. As well She comes for water at an unusual hour, and alone - perhaps there was a sudden need, or maybe she is a social outcast. The latter would be very likely as this woman had been married 5 times previously and was currently living with a man she was not married to. Regardless in that day and time it was a highly unlikely situation. Another interesting factor is that a Rabbi would not have spoken with a woman in public (even his own wife!), or drink from a Samaritan's cup.

10 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." 11 The woman said to Him, "Sir, You have nothing to draw with, and the well is deep. Where then do You get that living water? 12 Are You greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well, and drank from it himself, as well as his sons and his livestock?"

We see here that Jesus gets her interested in the living water that He offers. Let us take a moment to expound on the technique Jesus took in speaking to this woman. 13 Jesus answered and said to her, "Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, 14 but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life." 15 The woman said to Him, "Sir, give me this water, that I may not thirst, nor come here to draw". We know that Jesus knows all, see's all and hears all yet as He spoke to this woman already knowing her past he spoke with compassion not condemnation. He offered her His love and affection without accusation. He showed her a better way of life. What may have happened if Christ had "pounded" her for over lifestyle? What may have taken place if He would have immediately passed judgment on her for her lifestyle?

PONDER THIS: When we see someone at the water cooler who is in sin or is searching for that missing element in their lives how do we handle them. When we share with them do we focus on their sin or offer them the living water of life. In our conversation do we have a better than thou attitude and approach them with "get rid of the sin" or do we steer them toward the abounding love of Christ? As we continue to dig into this study we will se the outcome of Christ's approach to this woman.

16 Jesus said to her, "Go, call your husband, and come here." 17 The woman answered and said, "I have no husband." Jesus said to her, "You have well said, 'I have no husband,' 18 for you have had five husbands, and the one whom you now have is not your husband; in that you spoke truly."

Jesus used supernatural knowledge in ministering to this woman. Christ asks her to bring her husband she explains that she is not married, He then confronted the issue of her sinful life. Again with compassion, love, and affection and also notice He offered her salvation and living water BEFORE confronting her lifestyle. He gently and lovingly exposed her wrong doings and offered her a better, everlasting way of life.

19 The woman said to Him, "Sir, I perceive that You are a prophet. 20 Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, and you Jews say that in Jerusalem is the place where one ought to worship." 21 Jesus said to her, "Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father. 22 You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews. 23 But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. 24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth." 25 The woman said to Him, "I know that Messiah is coming" (who is called Christ). "When He comes, He will tell us all things." 26 Jesus said to her, "I who speak to you am He."

Christ proceeds to explain in love and concern the difference between the ways of worship of the Jews and Samaritans. The Samaritans believed that Moses commissioned an altar to be built on Mount Gerazim, the mountain of blessing - this was their justification of the system of worship on that mountain. But like all mongrel faiths, they worship what they do not know. True worship is not of places and trappings, but in spirit and in truth To worship in Spirit is to be concerned with the spiritual realities, not outward sacrifices, cleansings and trappings. To worship in Truth means you worship according to the whole council of God's word, especially in light of the New Testament revelation. Yet, again we must look at Christ's example in ministering to her. He taught her the true way of worship. He did not in anyway put down the way she worshipped nor did He look for an argument or for that matter even argue His point. He simply showed her the truth in worship. He then reveals Himself to her. He reveals to her that He is the Messiah that she spoke of and had been waiting for.

PONDER THIS: When approaching someone whom does not share in the same beliefs how do they receive you? Do they see you as standing in judgment of their faith? Do they feel inferior? Or do they see your true concern for them that Christ showed this Woman? Sometimes, as believers we have a tendency to be so cemented in ours ways that we often don't realize that we can become judgmental, dogmatic and at times even aggressive regarding our beliefs. We must watch our ways when witnessing and sharing the Word of God. As we will see later in this study our behavior can determine the outcome of someone else's desire to know God.

As we drop down to verse 28 we see how the Smaritan Woman received the what Christ had shared with her. 28 The woman then left her waterpot, went her way into the city, and said to the men, 29 "Come, see a Man who told me all things that I ever did. Could this be the Christ?" 30 Then they went out of the city and came to Him. Obviously the love, kindness, sincerity and gentleness Christ had used with this woman who was living in sin made a difference. She went about her way sharing what the Messiah has shared with her and many were saved. The woman tells her neighbors; Jesus teaches His disciples. Jesus was right: there is nothing more satisfying than doing the work of God.. They can now reap a harvest immediately; and they will reap it from seeds they have not sown (typical of most spiritual reaping) Many Samaritans believe on the Savior of the world. 39 And many of the Samaritans of that city believed in Him because of the word of the woman who testified, "He told me all that I ever did." 40 So when the Samaritans had come to Him, they urged Him to stay with them; and He stayed there two days. 41 And many more believed because of His own word. 42 Then they said to the woman, "Now we believe, not because of what you said, for we ourselves have heard Him and we know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world."

So what can we learn from all of this:

1. To be ready in season and out for those who have question. 2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.
2. Do not be argumentative, judgmental, dogmatic, or aggressive when witnessing or sharing. 2 Timothy 2:26 And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient,

3. Show the love of Christ when sharing with others: 1 Corinthians 13:1-2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. Philippians 1:9 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment,

4. Show the grace and mercy of God: Philippians 2:1 Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 1 Corinthians 16:4 Let all that you do be done with love. Galations 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, Ephesians 2:4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,

5. Have patience with those you are ministering to: 1 Thessalonians 1:3 Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father, Romans 5:4 For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.

So what do we have in common with the Samaritan Woman:

The Samaritan Woman	Us
She had sinned, adultery. Multiple marriage, fornication.	We too have sinned and ARE sinners. Romans 3:23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
She was saved by grace and drank of the living. And received everlasting life.	We can be saved Christ offers us the same living water. John 10:28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.
She shared the good news of the Gospel with her people and many were saved through her willingness to share her new found Salvation	We too are called to share and witness to others. Romans 10:14 How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?

This study began by focusing on the Woman of Samaria, However the approach of love affection and kindness that Christ went to her in is as just important. HOW? Because of the way Christ handled sharing with this woman, SHE was saved and many followed. Had Christ been arrogant, argumentative, aggressive and judgmental the story of this wonderful Sister in the Lord may have not had the same ending. But because of His approach many received the message of hope, God's love for them and Salvation. Ladies we can be strong in our beliefs without causing harm and heartache to others. Remember you may be the only Jesus at the water cooler.

NLŠ2000