Ladies from New Testament had been in my constant ponder. Every time I come across, I cant help doing a role play and try to see thru their eyes the Messiah, the Savior, the Lover of our soul. Here is one such attempt of my favorite story "Samaritan Lady at the well" found only in Book of John. As you have read and learnt in many places, this story is so deep and carries such big truths for us esp. his love for the humble, lost and contrite souls. Oh! How he loves us.
Let us see his grace and mercy unfold in the story
John 4: 4 – 424 And He had to pass through Samaria.
Plans: Had to - this verb has a specific importance here. It is not required to pass thru Samaria geographically. May be it is a roundabout way to Galilee. Yet, the Son of Great living GOD decides to pass thru the city Sychar of Samaria to meet a special person he had in his mind.
5 So He came to a city of Samaria called Sychar, near the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph; 6 and Jacob's well was there. So Jesus, being wearied from His journey, was sitting thus by the well.
Divine Appointment: It is not any other place. The LORD picks a specific place to meet this woman. A place that has theological and historical importance. A place where earthly needs are met. But there is something more in LORD's mind.
6It was about the sixth hour. There came a woman of Samaria to draw water.
· Introduction of Thirsty Woman – Here comes the gentile woman who ran out of water at home, thirsty woman hurries in scorching sun mid day to draw water. Drawing water is a chore done early in the morning or in the evening. A Household needs water in the morning and a refill in the evening. Dawn and Dusk weather-wise also makes it easy on the women folks to draw water and to carry it home. But here we see this woman coming to the well at the mid day.
· An outcast: During those days, well is place of social get together for women folks – A Ladies club. Mid day is the time, people stay at home. Here is this woman coming alone. It looks she specifically chose mid day hoping to see anybody on the road or at the well. She seems to be a moral outcast in her own society or that's what she thinks of herself.
An Analogy: Weary Jesus among-st his busy 2 yr ministry decides to wait for the gentile lady to show up at the well.
Yes, it is the SIXTH hour. Not the Twelfth hour. He appears in the middle of the history bringing a message, a message to those who are thirsty and in search of water, the real Truth. He is for the people with thirst for the real GOD despite their past and background.
Jesus said to her, "Give Me a drink." 8For His disciples had gone away into the city to buy food.
Rules Broken: Jesus breaks 3 rules
1. He talks to a woman in public which is not accepted in then conservative society.
2. He talks to a Gentile woman. Samaritans and Jews do NOT get along with each other. Samaritans are considered to have born out of interracial marriage. In fact they have their own and own place of worship as opposed to the LORD JEHOVAH revered at the mount Zion of Jerusalem.
3. He asks her for water. He doesn't have a vessel. It means he has to drink from a gentile vessel which is ceremoniously considered unclean those days.
**Before reading the conversation between the lady and the LORD, we have to remember that the LORD speaks to her in a special language of words with hidden answers & meanings. His answers are not direct to the questions she posts. Yet, the answers were inquisitive and elaborate enough for her to understand. The reason being they are conversing in a spiritual level here.
9 Therefore the Samaritan woman said to Him, "How is it that You, being a Jew, ask me for a drink since I am a Samaritan woman?" Lady Response: Surprised to see a man at the well and even more startled by the LORD's request.
Her thoughts race - Why would a Jew, a Man had to talk to me? He is a man. Can't he get a drink for himself? Why ask me - a gentile woman..? Does he know about me, my background? OR Does this man have 'other thoughts' of me knowing the background of my sinful life? She frames her thought as stern straight forward questions to him. I will not blame her. That's girls the reflexive thought about any unknown male's encounter in a secluded place. One thing is evident she regrets her sinful life and she is not happy with what she had done. Hence he questions are straight as an arrow. Had she been in other thoughts, her questions would have been different to the young handsome looking Jew.
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."
BIG TRUTH Unveiled: Look at the grace of the LORD. Jesus talks to an outcast, a broken, and a Gentile woman about the Gift of GOD he has for her. He encourages her to KNOW him and ASK him. He promises the living water, the salvation. If you read the above verse John 4:10, it is another version of John 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through me.
11 She said to Him, "Sir, You have nothing to draw with and the well is deep; where then do You get that living water? 12 You are not greater than our father Jacob, are You, who gave us the well, and drank of it himself and his sons and his cattle?"Her Quest: With his response involving the Gift of GOD and living water, she develops an instant respect for him now. For realizes that this person is there to meet her needs and seems like someone who might have answers for her longing quest. She responds back to LORD Jesus addressing him differently She asks him with great respect to about the living water. Her responses also reveal her depth of the theological knowledge and her reverence for the forefathers. This verse proves that she is not a mediocre woman. Her soul has been pondering over her life and in search of the truth.
13 Jesus answered and said to her, "Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again; 14 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."
Salvation for Everyone: Key point here is "Whoever drinks". Salvation is available for everyone. He makes it very clear WHO doesn't matter, but WHAT he does with the water given by LORD matters. He also further explains – the water he gives is the water of Salvation which will lead to heavenly blessing of eternal life.
It has a message for us to. We seek GOD mainly for earthly blessings.
We asks
1. For a loving spouse, Only to one day to find your-self hurt.
2. For a lot of wealth, Only to one day to lose it.
3. For a perfect health, Only to one day to die.
4. For a high rank & honor, Only to one day to leave it another person.
When we ask and seek GOD for the living water the salvation, every heavenly and earthly blessing fall into our lap. (Mathew 6:20).
Let us see if the Lady got it right in next post. - To be Continued
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