When she woke up that morning, little did the woman know that events that day would change her life forever. Most women would go to the well in town first thing in the morning to get water for the day. She didn’t go then, though, as she was a social outcast. She would always wait until noon when no one else would be there. Fortunately that day she did go at noon, and not a little bit earlier or a little bit later, as she would encounter Someone there who would change her life forever. Our Scripture today tells of this event.
As our Scripture opens, Jesus and His disciples had been in Galilee, and were now headed south to Jerusalem. Frequently, on such a trip, most Jews would take the longer route crossing west of the Jordan River rather than going through Samaria, as they hated the Samaritans. However, Jesus took His group right through Samaria, and this day even stopped in a village where He instructed His disciples to get some lunch while He rested at a well (vs. 5-8). While resting, Jesus met this woman who had come to the well thinking no one would be there, and she could avoid people. This was no accident, though. It was a divine appointment for her with the Savior.
This woman was shocked on several levels. As mentioned earlier, Jews rarely came through Samaria, so she was surprised to see a Jewish man there. Then He spoke to her when He asked for a drink (vs. 7-9). In that era men did not typically speak to women alone in public. And as we shall see, this woman was publicly shunned for her immoral lifestyle. However, Jesus did not pay attention to these, as He saw a lost soul in need of salvation.
Jesus then shifted the conversation from His physical thirst to her spiritual need (vs. 10-14). She needed the living water which could only be found in Him. This is not literal water, nor a mere religious experience. This is eternal life which Jesus alone can give (John 7:37-39). The earthly water from the well is temporary, and must be drawn repeatedly. Earthly water only satisfies the body. However, the living water for our spiritual need is eternal, it springs up, continually available to all who come to Jesus, and it satisfies the soul. Only Jesus can satisfy the deepest thirst of the human heart. Religion, relationships, and rituals cannot.
Next, Jesus addressed the condition of this woman’s heart (vs. 15-18) . He told her to call her husband, which she replied she didn’t have. Jesus then revealed her past and present immorality. He didn’t do this to shame or condemn her, but to bring her to conviction, and to show that salvation requires dealing with sin. How infrequently do we ever hear from the pulpit about sin or immorality. However, in order to have salvation we need to recognize our sins, take responsibility, and turn to Jesus as the only remedy. Grace does not ignore sin. It heals it.
This woman must have felt worthless, abandoned, and unloved after being divorced by five husbands, and now involved in a sinful relationship. Jesus knew her pain, heartache, and shame. She had dipped her bucket repeatedly into the well of human love to get the acceptance that she hoped would make her whole. But each experience left her thirsty. Standing before Jesus she was a broken soul and social outcast. He offered her forgiveness and love.
The woman attempted to deflect the conversation off of herself and on to a religious debate as to who was right, the Jews or the Samaritans (vs. 19-24). Jesus responded that worship is not tied to a location, but true worship is in spirit and truth. It is in spirit in that it is from the heart, not mere ritual, and is in truth, according to God’s revelation, not human invention. Worship is not about style, place, or emotion. It is about a heart aligned with God and grounded in the Bible. God is not confined to a body in the way human beings are (vs. 24). He is not bound to time or space. He cannot be confined by physical boundaries. God’s love has no restrictions, and His mercy is without end.
Jesus then plainly and clearly revealed to this woman that He is the promised Messiah (vs. 25-26). He revealed Himself first, not to a Pharisee or a religious ruler, but to a broken, sinful Samaritan woman. This woman then becomes a most unlikely evangelist, as she returns to the village where she had been shunned and a social outcast. She told them about Jesus and how He saved her soul (vs. 39-42). Her simple witness led many to faith in Jesus.
Do you feel like this woman, that if others knew all the secrets hidden in your soul, they would cast you away like they did her? Do you sometimes feel that this would include even God? Well, God knows your past, everything about you, just as He did this woman, and He still loves you. He sees your deepest needs, and will meet them with His love, forgiveness, and grace. Like this woman, no one is beyond the reach of God’s saving power. Turn to Jesus today, partake of His living water, and find forgiveness, love, and salvation.
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