Secrets of the Well
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Secrets of the Well
Secrets of the Well
When Jesus encounters the Samaritan woman drawing water in the middle of the day, which is highly unusual, we quickly learn from their conversation that there are probably some good reasons for her timing.
She would go the the well for fresh water in the middle of the day to avoid the scrutiny, rejection, and even mockery of other women.
As Jesus noted, she was far from being an expert on relationships, having suffered the pain of five divorces and currently living out of wedlock with a sixth man.
In all likelihood, she did not come to the well when others did because her lifestyle had shamed her before the other women in the community.
She couldn’t take any more questions - in a society that highly valued monogamy.
She had run out of explanations and the less said the better.
Her current lifestyle was her own business.
Besides, every time the subject came up, the wounds of relationships gone bad were reopened like like botched surgeries that never heal.
The oppression of past failures and the reproach for her current questionable lifestyle enforced a penalty of isolation and inconvenience.
Trips to the well in the heat of the day were only part of the picture.
Today she cold not retrieve her supply of water without being noticed. What was the Jewish man doing here?
As He asked for a drink, His voice did not betray any of the traditional antagonism between Jews and Samaritans.
FROM NATURAL WELL TO HEAVENLY WELL
FROM NATURAL WELL TO HEAVENLY WELL
Jesus’ prophetic eyes must have seen a desire for a breakthrough in the heart of this woman.
I must admit that a woman of her character would not have been my choice for the greatest revelation about worship in the NT; however:
7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
In His mercy, the Lord gave this nameless Samaritan woman a key that would change her life, heal her brokenness, and remove her shame - the key of worship.
Right away the conversation took an interesting turn.
No sooner than he revealed her deepest secrets.
And prove that He was more than just another thirsty traveller
Did He begin teacher her about worship!
There sitting on the edge of Jacob’s well, which was long before, an alter of worship, He revealed to a woman who had came to draw her daily supply of natural water, how to find the ever-renewable resource of Heavens Well.
Worship was the key.
Her life was a mess.
No amount of well water could wash her clean or satisfy her thirst for love.
The problem was this woman's concept of worship had been skewed by deep seated cultural hatred.
In order to position her to receive all of what He wanted to show her, Jesus first had to explain three common fallacies about worship:
FALLACY #1: YOU MUST WORSHIP AT THE RIGHT PLACE
FALLACY #1: YOU MUST WORSHIP AT THE RIGHT PLACE
20 Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, and you Jews say that in Jerusalem is the place where one ought to worship.”
She was making the same mistaken assumption that many church folks make today.
That worship is only on Sunday and Wednesday.
Worship transcends place.
In fact it’s not about a place but a person...
In 2 Kings 18 we read about the one of the righteous kings that followed David.
Hezekiah had his work cut out for him.
He became king at the young age of 25.
His first act as king was very unusual.
Did he erect a monument to his father?
Did he try to improve the economy?
No.
His first act as king was to reestablish true worship in Israel.
2 Kings 18:1-8 records the following things King Hezekiah did to refocus the people in true worship:
He removed high places
He broke the images
He cut down the groves
He broke in pieces the brazen serpent of Moses.
The brazen serpent Moses had fashioned according to the instruction of God for the healing of the people after they were bitten by serpents in Numbers 20.
The people had made it into an idol.
They had started offering incense to something God had used, but they were not really looking to God Himself.
Anytime our worshipful attention get’s directed toward an object, a methodology, or a place instead of God, it becomes idolatry.
21 Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father.
FALLACY #2: YOU MUST WORSHIP IN THE RIGHT WAY
FALLACY #2: YOU MUST WORSHIP IN THE RIGHT WAY
Her way seemed best to her because it was all she knew.
It was based on a cultural understanding.
How many worship wars are started over the style of worship.
What is the most anointed style of worship?
I wish we had the old hymnals back.
Southern Gospel.
Contemporary Gospel.
Black Gospel.
Choirs....
It’s not the unpardonable sin! :)
Worship is not about the song that you sing, but the heart you bring!
Worship transcends style.
When we get to heaven we will see every style of worship because we will see every nation, tribe, kindred, and tongue.
It will all be in full demonstration before the throne.
Really Biblical Worship is the blending together of many styles.
19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord,
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
FALLACY #3: GOD WANTS YOUR WORSHIP
FALLACY #3: GOD WANTS YOUR WORSHIP
23 But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him.
Jesus has already show that true worship is not about a place or a style.
God is not looking for worship.
He is looking for worshippers!
Worship is something you do, but a worshipper is who you are!
The heart of worship should be churning within us continuously.
15 Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.
Real worship is more than an act, it is a connecting of spirits!
24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”
God is not at all pleased with an act of worship apart from a life of worship!
22 So Samuel said: “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, As in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams.
9 For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. In this you have done foolishly; therefore from now on you shall have wars.”