She is a Samaritan who has had five husbands. In the process, she confesses to have been married five times and is presently living out of wedlock. When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, Will you give me a drink? (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.) She was IMMORAL. Jacobs well was there; so Jesus, tired from his journey, sat beside the well. I always wanted more. Intro: One thing that invariably stands out when reading about Christs personal dealings with people is His magnificent wisdom. Scripture says, They went after false gods and forsook all the commandments of Yahweh. (2 Kings 17:15-16), They fell into the hands of Assyria, and the king of Assyria brought in peoples from five different regions to occupy Samaria. SCRIPTURE QUOTATIONS are from the World English Bible (WEB), a public domain (no copyright) modern English translation of the Holy Bible. First, Jesus was crucified. The Samaritan woman thought Jesus was talking about flowing water (river or stream). We are going to ask, "Are we concerned with what Jesus Christ is concerned with? will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life. 6. He died on the cross to pay for your sins, so that if you would repent of your sin, and trust Him, He will be your Lord & Savior today! But for that to happen you must confess your sin. "And he had to pass through Samaria. Plan Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Jesus ministry to the Woman at the Well shows how to bring the message of Gods healing love to individuals; his efforts in Samaria changed a life, then Samaria, then Ephesus and resonates today in every nation where the Gospel is preached. What was your crutch becomes your confession. So he came to a town of Samaria called Sychar, near the field that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. Just like with Nic. And yet Jesus took the time, when He was in the very act of being arrested and taken away to the cross, to care for this man, and restore his ear. Its rocky and mountainous. JOHN 4:3 Jesus left Judea and departed again to Galilee. For centuries Jews and Samaritans had rejected each other. You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. (John 4:3-4). Like Nicodemus in the story last week, the woman didnt get it. Picture # 4 in the series: The 14 Candid Snapshots of the Maturing Christian as found in the Gospel of John. 4 But He needed to go through Samaria. (Now, honestly, some of us here today dont need this encouragement; you already think the world revolves around you and it doesnt! Finding balance in the imbalance of life, building out your story from a place of abundance over lack, and finding joy in the pursuit of growth. You cant just sweep your sins under the carpet and pretend that they never happened or worse yet, just keep on doing the same sins as if God doesnt care. The Jews, who were so proud of their pure blood genealogies, despised them. Jesus said to her, Give me a drink. The Samaritan woman said to him, How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a woman of Samaria.. Jesus believes the same for you. An encounter with Jesus can also change our life. Just like that woman at the well, if you will admit your sin, and trust Jesus as our Savior, you can be washed from all your sin, get a real relationship with God and eternal life in heaven and like that woman, you can then say: This is my story! And there is a lesson here also for every one of us as believers and church members: if God cares about each person like that, we should too. She had had 5 husbands; she had broken Gods laws about marriage. It is wounding work, of course, this breaking of the hearts, but without wounding there is no saving. Text: John 4: 25-29 Or we mistake it for anxiety thats always sitting under the surface. Excited by what the woman told them, the Samaritans came from Sychar and begged Jesus to stay with them. Jesus therefore, being tired from his journey, sat down by the well. you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water. Just after that, he was out walking in a field, and although he had tried to reform his life, and stop his cursing, and lying, and tried to live for God, he knew that he was not right with God. WHY in the world would Jesus say this?! Why werent they going there already? Free Sermons and Sermon Outlines for Preaching : From Hidden Nights To Open Daylight Testimony The Samaritan Woman Characters Of Johns Gospel, Mini-Series: You Must Be The Cycle Breaker In Your Family (Part 2), If The Preacher Is Dead, The Sermon Will Be Dead, Chasing The Dream, Preaching Greatness, And Knowing Your Audience. Who can you ask me for a drink? (v. 9). It was such an amazing and remarkable experience she couldnt keep it to herself. The woman at the well is an example of love, truth, redemption, and acceptance. When Jesus revealed himself as the Living Water to the woman at the well, his message was strikingly similar to his revelation as the Bread of Life: I am the bread of life. They were hated by the Jews because of this cultural mixing and because they had their own version of the Bible and their own temple on Mount Gerizim. The question is, are you willing to engage him. The religious authorities were somewhat disturbed at the number of converts that the disciples of Jesus were 3. Above all, the story, which unfolds in John 4:1-40, suggests that Jesus is a loving and accepting God, and we should follow his example. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Jesus alone is the Living Water that fills our void. And I dont either! Inside this essential guide to sexual wellness, I tell you how to get your spark back by sharing my top secrets for boosting sexual health - it matters more than just sex! Some believe God shakes in his boots when they come around. Thank you The Samaritan woman Jesus met faced prejudice from her own community. You cannot be reconciled to God without repenting of your sins, because it was your sin that separated you from God in the first place. 26:51). It was about the sixth hour. Its like the old camp song: Thats how it is with God love, once you experience it, Cookies collect information about your preferences and your device and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. Click here for more information. God does not satisfy us. Heres the missing piece of the puzzle: Back when the Jews and Samaritans went their separate ways, they established their own centers of worship. He confronts her sinfulness. John 4:5-42 The Woman at the Well (McLarty). Intro This is why the woman responds as she does: Are you asking me to forsake my fathers and come over to Mount Zion? Youd think Jesus would have said, Yes! How healthy are you? The people we call the Samaritans came into being when the Northern Kingdom of Israel had been carried off into captivity (like we have been talking about on Wednesday nights) and the Assyrians took some foreigners and settled them in the land. Having trouble logging into your account? And the joy we share as we tarry there none other has ever known.. But maybe that longing for more isnt a bad feeling but a necessary one. How could she help but share the good news! Did they ever get back together? But not a marriage proposal. Hes pushing the envelope. Jesus said, Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again, Jesus confuses this lady. And why I believe God invested John 4 over The Living Well. Thanks for sticking around. He knows more than what other people know of you. The church grew by leaps and bounds. Free Access to Sermons on Woman At Well, Church Sermons, Illustrations on Woman At Well, and Preaching Slides on Woman At Well. Scriptures: Some call it anxiety or a lack of fulfillment, but what if this longing had a purpose for good and not for harm? Did the Jews and Samaritans ever reconcile their differences? This was a NOBODY to the world! INTRODUCTION Her testimony was genuine and people were saved through that testimony. There was a woman in need who came to Jacobs well to draw natural water but left with the living water. What if that longing we try desperately to fill is our daily reminder to keep seeking God. That is the purpose of The Living Well to be a home to come and get filled. He wouldnt have brought this up right here unless it was extremely important. I am enormously grateful.. A Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, Give me a drink. I perceive that you are a prophet. The Samaritan womans encounter with Jesus at Jacobs well changed her life. It took a strong woman to draw her water in the heat of the day an independent and resolute woman a woman with a mind of her own a woman like Rachel who, if you remember, also came to the well at high noon the day she met Jacob. Another clue: Its embedded in the language. A daily choice that we never cease to do. If the Jews and Samaritans were to be reconciled, one would have to come over to the others place of worship. Only Christ can fill our inner emptiness. SLIDE #1 Some believe God shakes in his boots when they come around. The answer is yes, but it took a while. Anglican. She recognizes him as the Christ, repents, and rushes off to tell others, shouting, Come, see a man who told me everything I have ever done!. near the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son, Joseph. Thank you JESUS . He came out of that selfish, destructive life, and he received the gift of eternal life that God had for him. I dont know what you picture the woman at the well to look like, but she probably did not resemble the nice pictures they put on childrens Sunday School posters! Thank you for your encouragement words and I am happy I read it. Sermon: Woman At The Well 2 years ago by Timothy Written by Timothy Woman At The Well Year 2000 We will examine our evangelism and look at how Jesus saved the lost by looking at the woman at the well. We are not designed to fill from an empty cup, for when we run dry, we reach for an easy and often temporary source of comfort. I realized that I am not to far to gone, with Jesus everything is possible. Appreciate you taking the time to share your insights with us. He said he suddenly understood that nothing that he could do could make his righteousness any better, and nothing he could bad would make it any worse. They're very different of course: Nicodemus was a man, she was a woman; Nicodemus was a Jew, she was a Samaritan; he was a respected ruler, she The people listened to the Whore of Sychar What Now, Hey Traditional Church Pastor, Dont Settle for Relational Width, Martyn Lloyd-Jones: I am not surprised by the sin in the world . You worship . The same Greek word for sir kurios is also the word for Lord. He said, Give me a drink.. Or maybe what I feared most was actually being happy. Jesus and the woman discussed their views on worship, and the woman voiced her belief that the Messiah was coming. Gerizim c. 400 B.C. [] 4 Lessons from The Woman At the Well In All Labor There is Profit []. Your email address will not be published. Just as the Samaritan woman was looking to men to satisfy her soul, we also look to things outside of Christ to give our hearts meaning and purpose ( John 4:14 ). At first, the Samaritan woman did not fully understand Jesus' meaning. The story begins as Jesus and his disciples are traveling from Jerusalem in the south to Galilee in the north. You will never thirst. Goal and you Jews say that in Jerusalem is the place document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Are you struggling with a lack of libido? We all have a longing in our soul. Im not sure I would have even engaged. It was also the part of the day when you werent likely to find many women at the well. He also held his long sharp spear at the throat of a prisoner on the ground. 1 John 1:5, 1 John 4:8, 2 Kings 17:23-24, 2 Kings 17:25, 2 Kings 17:29-31, Ezra 4:2-3, Genesis 12:3, Isaiah 55:1, Jeremiah 2:13, John 4:1-4, John 4:1-42, John 4:5-29, John 8:48, Psalm 42:1, Revelation 21:6, Revelation 22:17, Romans 10:9-10, 52-week preaching calendar to help you plan your sermons, Customizable sermon manuscripts for verse-by-verse preaching, Preach with creativity and impact throughout the year, Help your church understand God's plan in pain, Call your people to experience a higher freedom, Proclaim the gospel to the ends of the earth. The sacred mountain for the Jews was Mount Zion. Isaiah 43: 23 you have not brought me the sacrifices or honored me. Arent you grateful that our God is not like that! Lets see that the Gospel flows from ordinary people who have had an encounter with Jesus. Used by permission. Lets see that the Gospel flows from ordinary people who have had an encounter with Jesus. In the presence of the "light of the world," this woman leaves behind her ordinary tasks and life (symbolized by her water jar) to share the extraordinary news of the one who sees us truly and deeply ("he told me everything I have done"), loves us as we are, and commissions us to share this news with others. YES! Have a form of godliness but denying any form of power that could make them godly 2 Timothy 3: 5. You can strive to reconcile your differences on a human plane, looking for areas of agreement; and, if you work hard enough, you may get close. Second, she was a Samaritan woman, and the Jews traditionally despised Samaritans. It would have been easy for her to leave. This article is what I needed today! And, third, he asked her to get him a drink of water, although using her cup or jar would have made him ceremonially unclean. but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him For example, you can see one of the chairs up here on this platform; and you could ask me: Do you believe that this chair would hold you up? And I could say, yes, I believe it could. That cry of her heart, that unmet expectation, that anxiety that sat under the surface, that stirring in her heart and that thirst she could never quench could all change in an instant. 4:2 (Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,) They thus cut themselves off from the riches in the Psalms, the Prophets, and other books. Anand Amrithraj Jesus said to her in :16 Go call your husband and come here. Why did He say that? May He bless and use you there in a great way to His glory! Battle of Jericho Bible Story Study Guide, The Raising of Lazarus Bible Story Study Guide, The Ascension of Jesus Bible Story Study Guide, Jesus Drives the Money Changers from the Temple, Satan Tempts Jesus in the Wilderness Bible Study Guide, Jesus and the Children Bible Story Study Guide, Moses and the Burning Bush Bible Story Study Guide, The Wedding at Cana Details Jesus' First Miracle, The Birth of Moses Bible Story Study Guide, M.A., English Composition, Illinois State University, B.S., English Literature, Illinois State University. John 4:1-38, Denomination: John 4:21-24 "Jesus said to her, "Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father. Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Many Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the womans testimony, He told me all that I ever did. So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them, and he stayed there for two days. The Bible says ALL have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. We have all sinned, and we need to face up to it. He is the way to heaven. Nicodemus and the unnamed Samaritan woman are as different as they could be. That evangelist did not do what Jesus did: he did not confront the people he was preaching to with the problem of their sins. Whether its a matter of conflict in the home, church, community, nation or the world, were called to be reconciled to God and each other, and theres only one way thats possible and thats in Christ. Jesus' encounter at the well of Samaria ends with the woman's growing awareness that Jesus is more than just "a prophet" but "the Prophet" whom the Samaritans (and Jews) saw as the Messiah who was coming (Deuteronomy 18:15-18). Our story for today is very similar. Fifty days later came the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. John 4:1-17. Learn Religions, Nov. 7, 2020, learnreligions.com/woman-at-the-well-700205. Can you hear echoes to earlier passages? Youre designed to have a longing that feels like a fire in your soul that drives you daily back to receive the only filling that can satisfy that desire. When he has come, he will declare to us all things. They shared a common history. The way its commonly told, the story goes like this: Jesus meets a Samaritan woman at Jacobs well and asks her for a drink of water. 4 Now he had to go through Samaria. Jesus knew just how to approach every person. The Samaritan woman thought Jesus was talking about flowing water (river or stream). With gracious honesty, Jesus confronted her need and revealed . Your email address will not be published. WHY would people miss heaven? To put it this way: Jesus isnt confronting the womans adultery; hes confronting the Samaritans idolatry. Many more believed because of his word. But as I walked away, it occurred to me that she was actually quite likely younger than I am, but she just looked much older than she was. She wanted this eternal life! But lets read the verse, so you know what Im talking about: So the woman left her water jar and went away into town and said to the people, Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did. John 4:1-29. Or drive or motivation, not just for sex but for a lot of things in life? They decided to dig up whatever was buried, and what they brought out of the ground was a metal bowl, that turned out to be over 1000 years old, buried by Vikings, and it was filled with over 600 gold and silver coins! Thank you for sharing this story in the way you have. Jesus revealshimselfas the Messiah to this woman first! The woman told the others what shed seen and heard and, because of her testimony, others accepted Jesus as the Christ. 1. Ironically, while the High Priest and Sanhedrin rejected Jesus as the Messiah, the outcast Samaritans recognized him and accepted him for who he truly was, the Lord and Savior of the world. It is not just believing intellectually. The Woman at the Well | A Sermon on John 4:1-42 by Steve Thomason | Feb 7, 2018 | podcast, sermons2018 This sermon is from the Come and See series through the Gospel of John at Easter Lutheran Church in 2018. Genady Krechin was a Russian businessman who knew what he thought was a good opportunity. He was made a fortune during the downfall of the old Soviet Union, selling vodka and working with organized crime. Noon is the time of day when the sun is high overhead. A SUBSCRIBER SAYS: Thanks for all this. It would be like a husband saying, I want to be right with my wife, but I dont want to stop running around with other women. Well, that is not going to happen, is it? 3. She had come out just doing her routine chores to get water just going through the motions of every day life. Can I ask you this morning: Do YOU know the gift of God? For a Jewish man to speak to a woman in public was a definite breach of social custom. Retrieved from https://www.learnreligions.com/woman-at-the-well-700205. We worship that which we know; for salvation is from the Jews. The solution she discovered, was Jesus Himself. Water is a gift from ABOVE; so is salvation. When the woman believed, she immediately ran off to tell others. Jesus dealt with people in wisdom, compassion and respect when talking to them about their souls. We are living in this time. Youd think that wouldve held them together. But they werent content simply to know about Jesus; they wanted to know him first-hand. In Jesus day, there was bitter hostility between Jews and Samaritans. To call someoneespecially a fellow-Jewwas a great insult. It was because of their sins, that had separated them from a relationship with God and were sending them to hell. Sin and rough living can take a great toll on your countenance. Remember, Your Past Is Not Your Future. ) (vv. She was ready for it or so she thought! That is his story! Most likely living under the assumption that there was no fix for her, she was too far gone. Come back to him daily, for he is the living well, and He alone allows you to live well. He satisfies all your thirsts and makes you thirsty for more. The woman said, Our fathers worshiped in this mountain, So where do you get that living water? That is God himself. Taking what can quickly and easily become a legalistic concept of doing and put it back into its intended designto be an act of daily grace. Where do you get that living water? John 4:3-42, Denomination: 2(Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,) Normally this would be done in the morning or evening so this act sets her apart. ' He wants you to have eternal life, but just like that woman, He needs you to know that your sin has separated you from Him, but that He is the answer. She was lost in a sea of her own brokenness. I want to dive into John 4 because there is a lot to learn from the Samaritan woman. First, he spoke to her despite the fact that she was a woman. Leaving behind her water jar, the woman returned to town, inviting the people to "Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did." You know what sin does to a persons countenance, how it ravages and ages them? Copyright 2014, Philip McLarty. To make their journey shorter, they take the quickest route, through Samaria. Thats what this story is all about. He knew about God, and about Jesus, but he could find no comfort for his soul. He approached her for a drink on His way to Galilee - Jn 4:3-8 She was amazed that He, a Jew, would speak to her, a Samaritan woman - Jn 4:9 -- Jesus used the opportunity to tell her about "living water" - Jn 4:10-14 When he comes, he will explain everything to us.' THE OCCASION (John 4:1-4). John 4: 4:1 When therefore the LORD knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John, This message is for you today: God does love you; He does care about YOU just like He did this outcast woman. Sure, he was hot and thirsty. A skid row prostitute can become a child of God. water that Jesus gave to the Samaritan It is interesting that Jesus uses this term, the gift of God to describe salvation. The woman said to Jesus, You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. She was curious about his promises, and He didnt back away no matter how deep her sin ran through. Women usually came in groups to collect water, either earlier or later in the day to avoid the suns heat. Thank you for being a vessel! To save items to a SermonFolder, please sign in to your account. Log in. In this picture, were going to see that a skid row prostitute drug abuser can become a child of God, and then immediately become an evangelistic witness for Jacobs well was there, and Jesus, tired out by his journey, was sitting by the well. Childerns Sermons The Living Well Collective seeks to make health simple. What I know is no earthly longing, no amount of chasing or looking for the best thing. I came here because my friend also shared this story to me and I though of further understanding this story and the lesson behind it. They, in turn, brought their own gods and built shrines for them. Theres also a figurative understanding lying just below the surface. One of the worst invitations I ever heard came from an evangelist years ago who told a really scary story about hell, and then said: If you want to miss hell, and go to heaven, come down to the front! Well, of course everyone came down to the front! A sermon on John 4:1-15. What a good way to start my saturday. https://www.learnreligions.com/woman-at-the-well-700205 (accessed May 2, 2023). 2. Thats what Austin Miles was talking about when he penned the words, I come to the garden alone while the dew is still on the roses, But she didnt run, and she didnt go, but she pursued. One day he overhead some people talking about their faith in Jesus, and he was listening to them. They shared a common faith, a common heritage and a common devotion to Yahweh. There are many similarities between water and Gods gift of salvation: 1. For example, they acknowledged as sacred Scripture only the Pentateuch [Genesis through Deuteronomy]. read more, Scripture: I mean, this was sure to turn her off WHY would He say something like that to her? Will definitely use some of this in Bible studies, with attribution of course. But the truth is, you have never really personally trusted Jesus to forgive your sins and save YOU! Amen. How can you ask me for a drink? (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans. When this was burned by the Jews c. 128 B.C. (2020, November 7). read more, Scripture: Big difference between living will and living well. And that is precisely how a lot of people are with Jesus. But it is just something you know ABOUT like the person who believes that chair can hold them up. This is the story Ive prayed over for The Living Well. She came to draw water at the hottest part of the day, instead of the usual morning or evening times, because she was shunned and rejected by the other women of the area for her immorality. Like his forefather, Jacob, he came with a proposal in hand. Jesus didn't erase the Samaritan woman's past but reminded her that her past was not her future. Some may say, well, He didnt want her to be saved without her husband, He wanted them both to be saved together. I would recommend taking a look around at the site, including the about section where you can learn more about who we are and what our mission is. Jesus work transformed this woman. E-mail me at alexa@thelivingwell.com and I can get more specific resources to you! Can this be the Christ? They went out of the town and were coming to him. Lets look together at the story of The Woman At The Well from John 4:1+. A woman from Samaria came to draw water. Listen: if you ever wonder if God cares about you, all you need to do is to look at these stories in His word. The sacred mountain for the Samaritans was Mount Gerazim. 2. Zavada, Jack. But look deeper, and you'll realize it reveals a great deal about Jesus' character.
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