| The story of the
Samaritan woman at the well is the single longest discourse in
the Gospel of John which means John gave it great importance.
It follows the story of Nicodemus in chapter 3 which we looked
at two weeks ago. There could not be
any greater contrast than exists in these two stories. Nicodemus
is a respected religious leader of the Jews while this unnamed
woman is a hated foreigner and has a reputation for immorality,
both of which make her ritually unclean. Yet it is to this woman
and her fellow Samaritans that Jesus first reveals who He really
is.
The story of the Samaritan woman has to do with
what is symbolized by water, an ingredient that is absolutely
essential to life. The human body is largely comprised of water.
In spite of complaints about the odor in local drinking water
we pretty much take this necessity for granted. It is for most
as close as the nearest spigot. We can easily obtain it and feel
very safe in using it, not having to worry about its carrying
disease.
This was not the case for the woman in our story nor was it
true for her neighbors. In fact there are many parts of the world
today where safe drinking water is not readily available. There
are parts of the world including some sections of our own country
where water is in short supply.
Water plays a significant role in the Scriptures. In Genesis,
God separates the water and the dry land. The sea was seen by
the ancients as a place that housed monsters and other terrifying
creatures.
God used water to destroy most of the earth allowing only Noah
and his family and several animals to survive. God also used
water to drown the Egyptian soldiers who were attempting to recapture
God's people after Pharaoh had allowed them to leave their
captivity. The leader of the Israelites, Moses, had been saved
as a baby when his mother put him in a basket on a lake where he
was found and taken in by Pharaoh's own daughter.
On at least two occasions those wandering in the desert feared
not having enough water, but God provided it in a miraculous
way. John the Baptist used water for spiritual cleansing. Jesus
Himself was baptized not only with water but also with the Holy
Spirit of God. Today these same gifts are made available to us
in our baptism.
In the first Psalm we read in verse 3 that godly people are
like trees planted by streams of water. They prosper and yield
fruit unlike the wicked that dry up and are blown away. In the
last chapter of the Bible, Revelation 22, we read of the river
of life that flows from the throne of God and brings life to
all it touches. In the beloved Shepherd's Psalm, Psalm
23, we are told that the shepherd brings the sheep to still waters
from which they can drink their fill free of danger from raging
torrents. It is ironic that something so vital to life can also
be so threatening as we have witnessed in the recent tsunami
and in other floods.
In many places in Scripture water is used as an analogy or
a metaphor for that which is needed to satisfy our spiritual
needs as human beings. In Psalm 42:1 we read, "As a deer
longs for flowing streams, so my soul longs for you, O God." The
term "living
water" can also be interpreted "running water."
The Samaritan woman at the well wants to know how Jesus can
provide a moving stream in the desert. She is grateful for the
water that comes from the deep well of her ancestors but she
would rather have fresher water that was more accessible to her.
Jesus correctly sensed she was in need of something more important
than the water she drew from the well where He was sitting. Having
just stated how vital water is to human existence, it is startling
to hear Jesus tell this woman He has something she needs that
is more important than the well water she has come to fetch.
I think it is important to realize how isolated this woman
is. In her culture women and children were barely tolerated.
They were seen only for their usefulness to men. As far as Jews
were concerned Samaritans were unclean half-breeds. They were
about as low as you can get in terms of human value. And then
there was the little matter of five or six men in her life. Five
had divorced her and the present guy wouldn't marry her;
he was content to use her which is no doubt what the other five
had done.
The woman knew her social standing. She came at the heat of
midday to draw water because there would normally be no one there
to gossip about her or cast those judgmental looks that claim
to be better than you. Thus it is the case she asks the obvious
question of Jesus, "How is it that you, a Jewish man, ask
me, a Samaritan woman, for a drink of water?"
Jesus may well have been physically thirsty. However, He was
more hungry and thirsty to bring lost souls to God than to eat
and drink. Later, when His disciples returned with food He told
them in John 4:34, "My food is to do the will of Him who
sent Me and to complete His work." In Matthew 5:6, Jesus
states, "Blessed
are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they will
be filled."
Jesus sensed correctly the woman before Him was in need of
what He could provide so He offered Himself to her but not as
other men had done. He offered her His friendship; He offered
her His acceptance. Later He would offer His life for her.
Jesus makes the same offer to you this morning. I doubt many
here are as far removed from the mainstream of life as was this
woman. Still, I sense that some here need the living water, the
loving relationship and eternal friendship Jesus offers. I'm guessing
there are more than a few who need to be accepted and loved as
they are and for where they are at this moment. Jesus is very good
at this if we will give Him a chance. The Samaritan woman sensed
that Jesus' love for her was real and not like anything
she had ever before experienced. She took Jesus at His word and
the relationship that developed changed her life forever.
You can also choose to accept the word of Jesus as being true
and real for you. What Jesus offers as living water is the life-giving
Spirit of God. Don't be too stubborn, proud or afraid to
admit your need. God will respond to your invitation just like
Jesus did when the woman asked Him to show her the living water
He offered to provide.
If you want this living water, this life-giving Spirit, then
simply invite God into your life today. You can do it quietly
sitting right where you are. Then you need to begin to read the
Bible, to pray, to serve others and participate in the fellowship
of believers. As you do you will begin to experience the power
of this Spirit at work in your life. It can transform you as
much as it did the Samaritan woman. Trust the word of Jesus that
those who seek a right relationship with God will be blessed. |
