Text: John 4:1-42
Introduction
It seems that Jesus’ sole purpose for going to Samaria, a place where Jews were unwelcome, was to meet with the woman mentioned in the story. She was a lost sheep that needed the Shepherd to find her. “What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance” (Luke 15: 4-7). A soul living in spiritual and moral darkness came face to face with the Saviour of the whole world. Here are a few facts this woman knew.
She knew who she was
“Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans” (John 4:9). She accepted that she was despised by the Jews for her nationality and religion. How could Jesus break the taboo and speak to a Samaritan, and a woman at that? His own disciples “marvelled that he talked with the woman” (John 4:27). True Christianity has to break through customs, traditions and restrictions to reach those who need the Messiah.
She knew that she was a sinner
“Jesus saith unto her, Go, call thy husband, and come hither. The woman answered and said, I have no husband. Jesus said unto her, Thou hast well said, I have no husband: For thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: in that saidst thou truly. The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet” (John 4:16-19). This is what we endeavour to show the lost. Unless they see that they are sinners, they will never know their need of the Saviour. “There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one… For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:10-12, 23).
She knew where she was standing
“The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water? Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle?” (John 4:11-12). Jacob's well was an historical and sacred place, but being there does not mean that she was saved. Some have the false notion that because they have been baptised, are members of a church, or enjoy sacred things, that they are right with God.
She knew that the Messiah must come
“The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things” (John 4:25). We live in an age when people have much less understanding of Biblical truth than the woman of Samaria did. Even in her heretical belief system, she knew something of the Messiah. Her theology might not have been up to standard, but it is here Jesus had a foundation to build upon.
She knew what she needed
“Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship” (John 4:20). Jesus did not recommend a beautiful, awe-inspiring building as a place of worship, but that her spirit should be touched by the Holy Spirit, thus enabling her to truly worship God. “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24). “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me” (Psalm 51:10) … “Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation” (Psalm 24:3-5).
She knew that her thirsty soul needed more than religion
“Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw” (John 4:15). No one but Jesus can quench the thirst man has in his empty heart. Once a person cries out for the Living Water, the Lord will immediately meet that need. “I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely” (Revelation 21:6). Once filled with the Water of Life we no longer need the water pots of religion, “The woman then left her waterpot” (John 4:28) … “Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation” (Isaiah 12:3).
She knew that Jesus was her salvation
She knew how to be saved and so wanted to bring others to Christ too. “The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men, Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ? Then they went out of the city, and came unto him … And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying of the woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I did” (John 4:28-30, 39). When you have something greater than the water pots of religion you cannot help but tell family, friends and neighbours about the Lord. When the world is convinced that we believe we have the answer, then they will want to know Christ for themselves. “So when the Samaritans were come unto him, they besought him that he would tarry with them: and he abode there two days. And many more believed because of his own word; And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world” (John 4:40-42).
Conclusion
What do we know? Do we really know the Lord enough to step out in faith and tell others about Him? Is the reason we do not a result of being unsure that the wonderful miracle of salvation has transformed our lives? “Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water” (John 4:10). “And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God” (Ephesians 3:19).
© 22/1/2008