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S. Michael Houdmann
Supporter
The story of the nameless Samaritan woman at the well, recorded only in the Gospel of John, is a revealing one, full of many truths and powerful lessons for us today. The story of the woman at the ...
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Jennifer Henkel
Supporter
Christianity is the faith that elevates women to a higher status than slave or property. Jesus takes the time to talk with (1) a woman who is (2) a Samaritan and (3) an outcast in her village. The best part of this narrative is that this woman is the FIRST person that Jesus reveals his true identity to! She is the first to learn that He is the awaited Messiah! What a privilege Jesus affords this woman! She becomes a major evangelist to her village. No one is beyond the reach of the Savior.
Jason Dyck
Supporter
Everything that has been shared with is valuable in relation to this passage of Scripture. Here's yet another lesson that I learned from this passage and it has to do with business and Christ's business model versus the world's (Satan inspired and pushed) business model. Starting with Christ's model, if we emulate Christ we will go out of our way regardless of circumstances in order to help someone. That help will be shared and spread from person to person. The leader, in this case Jesus, is at the bottom rather than at the top, supporting and building and ensuring the success of the person he has helped. Here the success is determined by how many people the leader can help be successful and then how many people those people can help become successful. This looks at what can be given. The world's model is that of the leader on top and telling his underlings what to do. He success is determined by how many people he can control and how much can be obtained. Jesus asked questions that the lady had to answer. The person asking questions is the one who controls a conversation. In Jesus's case, he was looking to help the lady understand her situation from a Heavenly and eternal perspective.
Glen Jeffers
Supporter
I would add some other insights or verses of the text that were not addressed or lightly addressed. 1) Worship in spirit and truth. The truth I believe Jesus was speaking of is what Michael said about confessing sin and repenting. Jesus tested her by asking to get her husband and she passed the truth test. 2) In spirit is to be born-again in which we receive a new spirit like Caleb had (Numbers 14:24) and followed the Lord fully or whole-heartedly. Caleb's calling is the same calling of all time to follow Jesus with our whole heart and our whole life (Luke 9:23-24) Caleb may not have known Jesus name but he knew Jesus is spirit. Just like Caleb the woman at the well knew Jesus as Christ. 3) The Great Commission. I believe Jesus sent her back to her village because of verse 34. Jesus "food was to obey the voice of Father by only doing what he saw the Father doing (John 5:19) and saying what the Father told Him to say(John 8:28). Have your eyes and ears been opened? Answer; Yes if you have been circumcised (Deuteronomy 10:16, Romans 2:25-29, Acts 7:51). Circumcision removes the veil of the flesh. Jesus gave this woman this, in person, the manna of heaven or bread of heaven or His body or His words. Drinking Jesus blood is drinking by participating or having communion in His crucifixion every day (Luke 9:23-24). Eating His body or bread is hearing the voice of Jesus instructions and obeying them and thus fulfilling my destiny (Ephesians 2:8-10) like the Samaritan woman (John 6:38). 4) Are you ready to reap what you have sown (John 4:34-38)? Has your life been sown by Jesus (Matthew 13:38)? Have you been baptized by Jesus in the Holy Spirit and fire (Matthew 3:10-12). Are you a good tree bearing good fruit (Matthew 7:13-20)? Are you fulfilling God's personal will for your life (Matthew 7:21-24, Ephesians 2:8-10)? Are you a fruitful branch of the vine being pruned by Father or will you be cut off as an unfruitful branch (John 15:1-2)? Are absolutely you are a sheep that obeys Jesus's voice and follows Him (Luke 9:23-24, John 10:27) and not a goat (Matthew 25:31-46)? This is what worship in spirit and truth means. Just thought I would clarify some things.
Grant Abbott
Supporter
I think one of the most important lessons and principles is this: the best evangelists in the kingdom of God are people who have just come to faith in Jesus Christ. Why? 1) new believers are full of faith and confidence in God 2) new believers are filled with courage and boldness 3) the transformation in their life is so easily seen by the people who know them 4) their new life experience is very convincing and attractive to their family and friends 5) they are telling their testimony and the gospel to an audience riveted to their message 6) their transformation leads people to the gospel message in the bible so they can make up their own minds and come to their own personal faith 7) the example of life change is a picture that is worth a thousand words Local churches need to place a high value and priority on helping each new believer optimize their evangelism potential. Even if people who know them do not come to faith, they are being exposed to truth and seeds are being planted in their hearts that may result in later conversions.
Jack Gutknecht
Supporter
“Whosoever continues to drink of this material water (or anything the world has to offer) will thirst again. But whosoever takes one drink of the water I give will never thirst again” (see John 4:13-14). How true it is that the things of this world never completely satisfy. When I was a VERY young Christian, I took a job in Houston teaching swimming in an older church couple's backyard pool. I put those two Bible verses above the arched entrance to their pool so everyone could read them before they entered. Jesus alone is the Living Water that fills our void. Just as the Samaritan woman was looking to men to satisfy her soul, we also look to things outside of Christ to give our hearts meaning and purpose (John 4:14). However, as Jesus revealed Himself to her, he sought to show her that He was the never-ending water she was so thirsty for (John 7:38). Jesus is the living water that we need. When we put our faith and trust in Him as the Living Water, we can bank on the fact that the well will never run dry (Psalm 37:4). He will never tire of us. He will never dissatisfy. He will never turn us away. He is the unending source of peace, joy, love, self-control, truth, hope, and satisfaction (Galatians 5:22-23). Abundant life can only be found in Him (John 10:10). Why? His water means salvation (Isa. 12:3; 55:1; Jer. 2:13; John 4:10-14; Rev. 21:6; 22:17). [Joh 4:14] What, Never Thirst Again? There flows from Calvary a stream For every sinner’s pain, And he that drinketh, Jesus said, Shall never thirst again. Refrain What! Never thirst again? No, never thirst again; What! Never thirst again? No, never thirst again, For he that drinketh, Jesus said, Shall never, never thirst again. Earth’s fountains fair but mock our souls, Like desert phantoms lure, And they that drink, the fainter grow, The keener thirst endure. Refrain This stream from Calvary still flows, To bless and cleanse and heal, And he that drinketh, Jesus said, New life and rest shall feel. Refrain Oh, blessèd stream of pure delight! Oh, balm for every pain! To thee I haste, for Jesus said, I’ll never thirst again. Refrain
Steve Wilson
Supporter
I think one point that many people miss, or just may misstate, is the Jesus meets us where we ARE. To miss the point of the story as a relational one is easy to do when one focuses on nationality and really doesn't require much thought, truthfully. I appreciate Jennifer Henkel's observation that this was the 1st person Jesus approached and some of what may be behind her exclamation could be the idea that women need to be just as recognized as men and the distinction between the 2 should be greatly diminished in many walks of Christian culture. Genesis 5:2 English Standard Version (ESV) 2 Male and female he created them, and he blessed them and named them Man[a] when they were created.
Donna Williams
Supporter
I believe that we all can identify with the woman of Samaria. We were all searching for something to fill the void that is in all of us. For me, I can identify with her because I was looking for love and I thought that it was in having a man in my life, but I found out that what I was looking for was in Christ. I had to learn that only He could fill that void. The second perspective I would like to share, is that Jesus' example as the Evangelist, and how He masterfully displayed the wisdom of God in winning a soul. The Bible says "He that wins souls is wise." Jesus used earthly things to explain heavenly truths. He went to the root of her issue and got her attention. I believe that by His example that we can learn what it takes to win souls for the kingdom of heaven. Jesus met her just where she was and changed the course of her life forever. The Good Shepherd at work, for He said, "The Son of Man came to seek and to save them that are lost." We have been commissioned to do the same. I believe that it starts with just a simple conversation, and the wisdom and patience of God. May the Holy Spirit use us all to win souls for the glory of God our Father!
Leslie Coutinho
Supporter
John 4:6: Now Jacob’s well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour: Lord Jesus being “wearied with His journey” sat on the well in Samaria where He needed to go through this city. The weariness that brought Him to Samaria was to go through the city, dig the dry wells, and give them the New Living Water. The Jews despised the Samaritans so much that they believed they were all demon-possessed and had nothing to do with them. When the woman came to the well, Lord Jesus dug into her spiritual well, revealing her sinful nature. Her sinful nature was pulled out and springing water flowed from her, leading her to reveal it unto the people of the city. The woman who was dug into her spiritual well and revealed her sinful nature was then led by the Spirit of God, for her belly flowed out with living water. This springing water that flowed through her brought the Samaritans of the city to our Lord Jesus for those who believed in what the woman testified for, and all that was revealed unto her by Lord Jesus. The woman was then led to call the elders, who came unto Him and urged Him to come and stay with them. He then stayed among the Samaritans to reveal the Word of God. The Samaritans were being despised by the Jews and would have nothing to do with them. When Lord Jesus passed by with His disciples through Samaria, they did not accept Him. The disciples wanted to bring down fire on them to consume them. Lord Jesus then said, "The Son of man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them." (Lk 9:53-55) Lord Jesus sent His twelve disciples, giving them power against unclean spirits to cast them out, and told them not to go into the way of the Gentiles and the city of the Samaritans. (Mat 10:1-5) Lord Jesus, when He was taken up, gave power unto His disciples through the Holy Ghost to be a witness unto Him. Philip went down to Samaria and preached Christ unto them, and there was great joy in that city. (Acts 1:8/8:4-8) Jeremiah 30:18: Thus saith the Lord, "Behold, I will bring again the captivity of Jacob’s tents, and have mercy on his dwelling places; and the city shall be builded upon her own heap, and the place shall remain after the manner thereof."
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