Woman at the WellRead John 4:7-18, 28-30

Jacob’s well 1900-1920

Jacob’s well 1900-1920

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Church built over Jacob’s well around 1940

Historical background922BC Kingdom of David and Solomon divided into two kingdoms

Northern portion called Israel (10 tribes)Southern potion called Judah after largest tribe

722BC northern kingdom conquered by Assyrians, taken into captivity

No more Israel until 1948Northern kingdom populated by pagans from conquered

landsBecame worshipers of Yahweh when a priest was sent back

from captivity to teach them about the lawBecame a strange mixture religion, including human

sacrifice

586BC southern kingdom taken into captivity by BabyloniansRemained much more orthodox in their Jewish beliefs

539BC first captives return to Jerusalem, after Persia defeats Babylonians

Regarded the Samaritans as heathensWhen work was begun to rebuild the temple, Samaritans

asked to help but were turned away by the orthodox Jews, so the Samaritans did what they could

to disrupt its building

So bad blood between the two continued for over 500 years when Jesus met the woman at the well

He that eats the bread of a Samaritan is like one who eats the flesh of swine.

Why did she come to the well in the middle of the day when it is hottest?

Women gather at the well to tell the news, perhaps talk about this woman

Other women ignored her or made fun of herMay be getting water for men in the fieldsMaybe she was just running lateMaybe the water had spilledMaybe they had underestimated their needs that dayGod’s grace at work

What was this woman like?

Street smart, could take care of herselfMade same mistake over and over again in marryingMay have been unable to conceive children, divorce easy

In today’s society what would say about a woman who has been married five times and is currently living with a man who is not her husband?

When you were growing up were you told not to associate with certain people?

The request for a drink from a traveler was not unusualThe traveler had no skin or bucket or ropeJesus makes no use of His power to meet His own needsLiving water = running water as opposed to rain waterWater symbolizes satisfaction of man’s highest needWoman considers this response a slight upon the man who

dug the wellV. 20 asking where do I find God?

Where do you find God?

The burning question between Jews and Samaritans was about the divinely appointed site for control of worship and sacrifice

Temple at Mt. Gerizim (destroyed in 128BC) or Jerusalem

Samaritans had a strong case in verses from Pentateuch Read Deut. 27:4-8

Their version was correct and woman points this out in V. 20

Samaritans reject all of Old Testament except Pentateuch

Jesus responds in v. 21 bringing true meaning of worship above discussion

The object of worship will continue to be the same, God; but an end shall be put to all differences about the place of worship. Religion gives no preference to one place above another

Samaritan word for Messiah is He who returns Read Deut. 18:15

Christ brought woman face to face with the facts of her lifeShe answered honestly to a pointWoman used religion as a shield between her and GodToday we would call that playing church

What does “playing church” mean?

We attend meetings, come to Sunday School, attend worshipWell versed in the doctrinesSatisfied to know about Jesus, but do we know Jesus

What is the difference between knowing”about “ Jesus and knowing Jesus?

V. 23 Some like worship lean and austere so nothing distracts the mind

Others like worship wide open so that every sense is touched

Worship is centered on God not on ourselves

What is your preference and why?

Disciples were amazed that Jesus was talking to a woman. She was an alien and a hostile Samaritan, merely speaking to her was thought to disgrace our Lord Jesus.

Character or nationality did not matter. Yet to this woman did our Lord reveal himself more fully than as yet he had done to any of his disciples. No past sins can bar our acceptance with him, if we humble ourselves before him, believing in him as the Christ, the Savior of the world.

Why would Jesus risk His reputation talking to this woman?

Rabbinical saying “A man should hold no conversation with a woman in the street, not even his wife, still less with another woman, lest there be gossip.”

In Christ’s day it was debated whether or not a woman had a soulLow conception of womenChrist lifted women into equality with manChrist’s thinking of women was extraordinary for those days

Read Gal. 3:28

Many believed because of this woman’s testimonyHer friends and enemies could see the change in herSamaritans so accustomed to being despisedThey find a man who embraces them

In your witness to those around you,would they be able to see that you have changed in some way?

Of all the people to pick, Jesus chooses this woman to reveal himself as the Messiah and He can use each one of us if we just let Him.