Jesus was on His way back to Galilee, which necessitated going through Samaria and a town called Sychar near where Jacobs well is located and where the local woman of the town came to draw water.
Here is where we see how Jesus took advantage of every opportunity to spread the Good News, even when His humanity made the physical demands we all experience. The Word says He was “Tired and thirsty” and no doubt hungry seeing the disciples had gone to get food. One would have to wonder why He sent them off on that errand, seeing as he was quite capable of feeding thousands, in fact He had done that very thing just a few days earlier, However that’s just what He did.
I have heard it said by some teachers that perhaps this particular woman came when she knew no other women would be around to point the finger. But what we do believe is, she was alone, it was the sixth hour (12 noon) lunch time, so perhaps the other women were home feeding their families.
Just a word about Jacobs well, it is over 100 feet deep, it isn’t a spring like most other wells, the water seeps in from the underground sides of the well which means its capacity is dependent on the ebb and flow of the river and rainfall which determines the water table for that area. Sometimes, these days, it is said Jacobs Well is dry. Isn’t that interesting, I wonder if it’s anything to do with “Global warming?”!!!
I gather Jesus knew of the eminent arrival of the Samaritan woman, or, perhaps He just wanted to be alone with the Father for a while.
However the Samaritan woman duly arrived and the longest recorded dialogue in Jesus’ ministry took place. Barriers were broken, race, colour, gender and religious affiliation went by the board, Jesus is telling us here that there is only one Race, “The Human Race” That is who He came to live and die for, Yes there are many nationalities, but only one Race. Jesus also broke right through yet another Jewish law which was “unless a woman had a blood relationship with a man, there could be no interaction between them.”
Gentiles were referred to as “dogs” (a derogatory term at that time. It was meant to be the lowest of the low). Woman were worth nothing at all “see the story of the Syrophoenicien woman (Mark 7:24) who sought the healing of her Demon possessed daughter. “Even the dogs can have the crumbs that fall from the children’s table” but Jesus recognising her faith, broke through, and healed the girl.
When one looks at the situation in hand, the Samaritan woman was not only surprised, but I think would have been a bit afraid, in the light of her past being revealed. Her character and truthfulness would have been under suspicion. Some people in the town would have thought, “Just another man she’s trying to hook” So to try and convince the towns folk to come out and see for themselves would not have been easy, just as it isn’t for us to get people to see or listen to the truth, however she must have persevered and convinced them, and what a reward came her way, the Word says “many people believed and Jesus stayed with them for two days.”
While Jesus was speaking with her, He also broke down another barrier. The barrier of worship, the Jews believed, true worship could only be made in certain places, like the temple, synagogue or on particular mountains and on particular festival days, but Jesus said No!
True worship comes from the heart and there is no specific time, place, mountain, church, river or anywhere else in which worship must take place. True worship comes from within the heart, that’s where The Spirit of God and the truth of God combine to worship Almighty God. In Spirit and in Truth.
I am not decrying church services, prayer meetings or any other places where people meet for prayer and worship, very often these are where we get our best teachings and where we meet and gather with other Christians, I really go along with Paul who says “not to neglect the gatherings with our brothers and sisters” (Heb 10:25), because that’s not only where a good deal of our teaching comes from, but also, our physical support and how we learn to support and identify with other Christians in their hurts, losses and desires.
But, Jesus said “The true Worshippers whom the Father is seeking are those who worship Him in Spirit and in Truth.” vs 21-24 (I believe He was speaking here of those who in the quiet privacy of their room behind closed doors worship and praise God with all their heart and soul and get to that intimacy with God that is so private, personal and precious where tongues and tears flow freely, where one feels the very presence of the Holy Spirit speaking through them to the Father). I believe, that is praying in Spirit and in Truth.
Then, when she spoke of the Messiah, Jesus declared Himself to her “I AM HE who is speaking with you.” What a privilege to have Jesus, The Messiah! Reveal Himself to her. Perhaps when we get alone with Jesus He will declare Himself to us as well. As we worship Him in Spirit and in Truth.
Thanks for reading my thoughts on “Living Water” God bless us all
Phaline
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