A Woman Worth Following

Our first example is the Samaritan woman
Her story is found in John 4:7-30; 39-42.
Read John 4:3-8
A little history this story takes place after Jesus leaves Judea because of unrest with the Pharisees. He was on His way to Galilee. Side note take great care to look at the ministry the Lord Jesus does while He is on His way somewhere. He always leaves a margin in His schedule to talk, heal, or comfort others. We can learn a lot from that common practice of Jesus’. Ok back to the story, it was about the 6th hour depending on if this is Roman time or Jewish time it’s between noon and 6 pm. From the text I think we can assume it was closer to noon. Tradition states that women would come early in the morning or in the evening, when the weather was cooler. I’ve been in countries where women draw water from wells and they are usually all there together so it’s interesting that this woman is there alone. Now this woman is from Samaria, this was the place that was established by the descendants of the tribes of Ephraim and Manassah, they were left there after the exile and intermarried with the Babylonians. The Samaritans were observant of some points of the OT law and worship but not of others. Depending on their commitment to the law at that time would dictate how the Jews felt about them. Jesus is showing His complete humanity by asking for a drink of water.
Read John 4:9-15
The woman recognizes just by the clothing and I’m sure accent that Jesus is a Jew and she states the cultural cues for Him.  She knew that Jews didn’t talk to Samaritans much less drink after them. Jesus replies to her question with 3 answers
1.      There is a gift from God that I want to give you
2.     I am the one who is the gift from God
3.     You can ask me and I will give you the Holy Spirit
In this one response Jesus shares the gospel with her. But her eyes haven’t been open to see Him for who he is. She totally missed this gospel presentation and goes to the natural instead. She states the obvious again, you don’t have a jar to get water so how are you going to get this living water.  History states that this well is 100 feet deep. She then compares Him with her spiritual hero which is Jacob. She states you are not greater than the one who made this well for us. Oh but Jesus is greater!!! Jesus replies to her question with 3 answers
1.      This water and life is temporary
2.     I have the water (Holy Spirit) that will continually satisfy you
3.     That water will lead you to eternal life
Now it seems as if the woman is getting it but not really, she wants the benefits of this living water but Jesus needs her to see her sin first.
Read John 4:16-24 to prepare for the next lesson.



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