THE WOMAN OF SAMARIA (John 4:5-30)
One of the most marvelous miracles of Jesus occurred when He went to the city of Sychar, a village of Samaria. It was a miracle of love and grace. He brought hope and healing into the life of a destitute woman.
Going from Jerusalem, or south to the north, you had to pass through the land of Samaria. The Jews had nothing to do with the Samaritans because they were not true Israelites. They were a people of mixed blood. When a Jew went north he crossed the Jordan on the East side and went up beyond Samaria and crossed back into Galilee. But when Jesus left Judea to go north into Galilee, John said, "He must needs go through Samaria." He came to the well of Jacob and being weary of His journey, sat down by the well. It was about the sixth hour, or 12:00. All of His disciples had gone into the city to buy bread. This created and opportunity for Jesus to speak with this woman without any hindrances. It certainly didn’t take 12 men to buy bread.
The life of this woman reads almost like our modern news report. When she arrived at the well, Jesus said, "give me to drink." There are two things that we need to note here that breaks the tradition of the culture. First, this woman was a person of ill repute and ostracized by the women of the city. Because of her demeaning character, she was not allowed to go to the well in the early hours with the other women of the village, when it was cool. But Jesus knowing all things knew what hour she would come and He arranged His trip so as to talk with her alone. Second, the culture of that day forbid men and women to speak to each other in public. It was a dishonor for a woman to talk with a man in public. In verse 27 the disciples "marveled that He talked with this woman," but no one dared ask Him why. What the Holy Spirit is telling us is that the character, the culture, or traditions of anyone in need of God is accepted. He was not bound by customs then, nor is He bound by traditions and customs today. He came to save the good and the bad. While the citizens of her city ostracized her, Jesus received her.
She was surprised that He had asked a drink of water from her. She said, "how is it that you being a Jew, ask of me, a woman of Samaria?" For the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans." Racial prejudice between the Jews and Samaritans was deep and strong. To the point that the Jews considered them as dogs. People without souls and incapable of being saved. The Jews wrote them off because they had inter married with the Assyrians. One of the marvel of this story of Love and Grace is that Jesus stepped over these racial barriers and offered eternal life to her. He was not afraid to be seen talking to her, nor afraid of offending the prejudices of the Jews. It would be wonderful to say that there is no racial or culture prejudices and barriers between people today. But we know that even in our day, a day of enlightenment and progress, that racial barriers, and culture standard separate and divide us. These prejudices exist even in the Church and among some of the most outward-spiritual Christians. But Jesus came to receive all who will come to Him and will not let what you have done or what is your race, or social standing keep you from coming.
I see in this woman a deep disappointment. Jesus said to her that He would give to her the "living water that she would not thirst again." He said, "call thy husband." He knew all about her and how she was living. Then she speaks out of a broken heart and disappointment. She said,"I have no husband." Jesus said, "you have said well, for you have had five husbands and he that you live with now is not your husband." Like all young girls, she had dreamed of happiness and security in marriage. Married life had ended in disappointment, so she stopped getting married and starting living with a man. This probably was her only way of surviving in her society. Jesus knew her heart and her broken marriages, yet He loved her and offered to her the water of life. He knows all about you and me, yet He loves us. Maybe your heart has been broken by sin, or perhaps a hopeful marriage has ended and broken your life. If so, He receives all who will come to Him. He said, "the Lord as anointed me to heal the broken hearted, and to set at liberty them that are bruised." Don’t let your disappointments keep you away from Him. He will bind up your wounds and restore joy and happiness in your life. He accepted the woman as she was and transformed her life. You don’t have to better yourself before coming to Him. He will received you and all your brokenness and give to you new life.
Religion of her fathers had failed her. It had made no difference in her life. But after talking with Jesus and drinking of the "water of life," she was transformed and became so excited that she ran back into the city, leaving her water pots, and said, "come and see a man who told me all things I ever did." Is not this the Christ.? He can transform your life today. Come to Him and give Him a chance.
In John 6:37 He said, "him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out."
