The Samaritan Woman’s Encounter With Jesus

From John, Chapter 4

Her testimony:  Her voice

Finally, the women had returned.  About time.  I needed to get our water.  My mind wandered to the question of the newest gossip . . .about ME!  I’M the gossip – every-single-day.  Going alone protected me from their scorn.   I grab my water jug,  out the door and up the hill.  At least the well wasn’t far away now.  It was only a few more steps. Then, I see him . . .a stranger sitting on our well.  I sure didn’t want to contend with another man, especially not out here and alone.  If anyone saw us, there would be even more gossip.  I decided to just get my water and leave.  I didn’t think he would speak to me anyway. 

Wrong!  He dared to ask me for a drink.  “Why would you ask me for a drink?  Me?. . .a Samaritan woman?” I inquired.  He didn’t answer my question.  Instead, he tells me that If I had known who he was, I would have asked for ‘living water’.  I didn’t know a thing about living water, and I didn’t want to stand around talking nonsense.  I asked him how he thought he was going to draw water since he brought nothing with him to do so.  Again, he didn’t answer my question.  He replied that those who drink his water will “never thirst.”  Now, he had my attention.  I wanted some of that water.  

He tells me to get my husband. “Of course,” I thought, “I knew there would be a cost. ”  It was painful to admit that I had no husband.  Then, he tells me that I have had five husbands and the man I’m living with is not my husband. At that, I wanted to sink into the ground. At least he didn’t scold me. When I I ask him if he’s a prophet, he tells me that he’s the Messiah.  I was stunned.  I knew the power of that message.  That was the most delectable bit of gossip yet.  Once I delivered it, they would have to respect me.  I was the one he trusted it with.  After all these years, I could hold my head up again.  I left my water jug and ran to share the news. 

The impact Jesus made

We can only assume this woman was an outcast.  What we do know is that Jesus went out of his way to deliver an astonishing message to her-an unnamed woman.  Even more surprising is that he chose a  Samaritan.  They were hated by the Jews.  Yet, he chose her. 

 So like Jesus.  He chooses the humble, the ones considered of little value in this world.  He chooses us.  In those days, men didn’t lower themselves to even speak to women in public.  Nor would they ask one of them for a drink.  He stepped out of his esteemed role as a Jewish man and gave her the gift of respect. When she told him of her past, he didn’t scold.  Maybe for the first time in a long time, she was not judged.  This woman, with a past, was the first to know that the long awaited Messiah had come.  He had restored her dignity in front of her peers.  Because of her testimony, many in her village believed in their Messiah.  She will ever be remembered as the woman entrusted with the news that the Promised One had come. 

A prayer

Lord, your ‘living water’ does indeed cause us to ‘thirst no more.’  You meet our deepest need. What the world offers pales in comparison.  We find our home in you.  I ask that those who read this be brought closer to you.  If any don’t know you, please send the Holy Spirit to draw them to Your Son.  

In Jesus Precious Name.   

Growing Closer To Jesus Daily