Spiritual, Living Water: Available to All, Always
Journey Through the Gospel of John • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Introduction
Introduction
Today, we continue our study of Christ’s encounter with the woman at the well. We left off at verse 6, which states...
6 Now Jacob’s well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour.
Last week, I noted that this was a Divine appointment. Remember verse 4.
4 And he must needs go through Samaria.
As we also noted, during the days of Christ’s earthly ministry, no self-respecting Jew would have traveled through Samaria. They would have chosen a much longer route that completely bypassed this despised people group. We also noted the reason why there was so much animosity between the Samarians and the Jews. It was hatred that only grew in time.
To demonstrate the intensity of this prejudice and hate between the two people groups, listen to this quote from Rabbinic literature expressing their negative sentiments towards Samarians. This is from the Babylonian Talmud.
“One may not join together in a quorum with a Samaritan, as he is suspected of fraternizing with prostitutes.”
Basically, any Jew who even spoke to a Samaritan was considered morally compromised and impure.
Another example is from the Mishnah which required any money taken from a Samaritan had to be exchanged into Jewish currency before contributing to the temple tax. Samaritan money was considered tainted and not acceptable currency. As you can see, the Samaritan were treated as outsiders or second-class citizens.
However, as with Christ, it did not matter to Him that this prejudice existed. He knew there was a woman there in need of spiritual help that only He could provide. Thus, the Holy Spirit records that “he must needs to go through Samaria.”
Let’s pick up the story with our text today.
7 There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink.
8 (For his disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat.)
9 Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.
10 Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.
Now, remember, the Lord has arrived early. He is weary from all His travel demonstrating His true humanity. Even though He was God in the flesh, His flesh was limited, just like ours. He grew weary. He needed food and water. Consequently, just like any of us, after a full morning of walking, He was tired. He arrives. He sits down and patiently waits for this woman to arrive. In the meantime, as Scripture notes, His disciples go into the nearby city, Sychar, to purchase food.
Going back to verse 6, we note that it was the sixth hour—noon or midday. Again, we see the Divine appointment. Christ knew the time and place to meet this woman. And, right on time, a woman of Samaria came to draw water.
Here is what is so interesting about the time of day! She came to the well at a time of day when pretty much no one would come. As with most tropical or warm climates, many of the daily chores were done early in the morning in the cool of the day. My wife and I witnessed this in Nepal as missionaries. One of the houses we rented was very near a public spring or water source. Early each morning, those who did not have running water in their houses would come to that public spring and draw water for the day. There would be a whole host of people there filling water bottles or washing clothes. They did it early when the day was cool. So was the custom of that day as well. However, for this woman, she did not come with the rest of the women from the city. Instead, she waited until she knew with certainty they were not there. Thus, she came at midday during the height of the day’s heat. I am sure she was quite convinced that this day would be no different than any other day. She would arrive, draw her water, and head back to town without encountering a soul during the whole process. This woman, shunned by all others, arrived that day never expecting to meet Christ. In fact, she was completely unacquainted with Him. Imagine her surprise to arrive, find a Jewish man sitting at the well, and then have that same Jewish man look at her and request a drink of water.
Now, here is the heart of the message this morning and what I believe the Holy Spirit wants us to know and understand.
Christ’s offer of “living water,” which is a gift from God, is for everyone regardless of their background, race, or cultural acceptance. In fact, His offer is spiritually beneficial to all who receive it.
Let’s begin with this point drawn from verse 9.
Spiritual, Living Water Flows Freely to All Who Accept It with Open Hearts
Spiritual, Living Water Flows Freely to All Who Accept It with Open Hearts
9 Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.
I already explained in my introduction the prejudice and hatred that existed between the Jews and Samaritans of that time. Later, as we get deeper into this conversation, we will find that this woman was shunned because of her unfaithfulness in marriage and her improprieties. She was, for all intended reasons, an adulteress. Yet, here is Christ, the JEWISH Messiah, sitting alone with this woman seeking to settle her greatest spiritual need. As noted earlier, she is quite amazed that this Jewish man would speak to her, much less ask her for a drink of water.
Note her amazement.
9 Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.
Last week, we spent some time noting the differences between Nicodemus in chapter 3 and this woman in chapter 4. What is interesting about both conversations is this? Both reacted to Christ with the same word out of each person’s mouth. Remember Nicodemus came to Jesus and said...
John 3:4 (KJV 1900)
4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?
Now, this woman is standing before Christ and again she said...
John 4:9 (KJV 1900)
9 Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.
Both wanted to know “how.’ How can a man be born again? How is it that you ask me for a drink of water? Both were skeptical of Christ. Is this not how people often are when they are confronted with Christ and the glorious gospel? Yet, Christ responds to both with love, grace, and truth.
Again, both were blinded to the reality of the One sitting before them. Nicodemus said, “We know that thou are a teacher come from God.” The woman of Samaria said, “How is it that thou, being a Jew...” Both failed to see that the man speaking to her was far more than a Jew or even a teacher; he was the Lord of Glory Himself.
There are a couple of Biblical principles that come from their reactions. And it is important to note that both Jews and Samaritans reacted in the same way to Christ. This is important because it proves that all stand equally before God. There is no difference between the Jew, the Greek, and the barbarian, as noted in Colossians 3:11
11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.
Every person stands on the same equal ground before God. A thought that reminds me of these two principles.
Every person is born a sinner and in need of a personal Savior. We were born with a spiritual problem that only Christ can solve. We were born hopelessly separated from God, spiritually dead in our own sin, hostile to God, blinded by Satan, powerless to overcome sin’s hold in our life, unable to understand the things of God, and completely unable to please God or walk His way. We came into this world physically alive, but spiritually dead.
6 But we are all as an unclean thing, And all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; And we all do fade as a leaf; And our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
9 What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin;
10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.
12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
Think about Nicodemus and this woman of Samaria. Both were hopelessly separated from God. In their own way, both of them were hostile to God and blinded by Satan. No additional proof of this is needed as both stood before the Lord and failed to recognize Him as God. Each was powerless to overcome sin’s hold on their life. Nicodemus was a man of great pride and the whole reason why he came to Christ by night. The woman of Samaria was a woman ruled by insecurity and was jumping from one relationship to the next. Each is bound by their own sin. Yet, each encountered the one person who could break them from sin’s bondage. It mattered not that they were Jew, Samaritan, or Gentile. Every person born into this world, regardless of race or religion, is in need of Christ, the living water.
The second Biblical principle found in this conversation with the woman is this. Christ came to both, offering salvation. He offered Nicodemus the opportunity to look and live. Remember Christ’s analogy of the serpent hanging on the pole. Christ would soon hang on the cross of Calvary. Thus, all Nicodemus had to do was look to Christ and live. Now, to this woman, Christ is offering Himself as the living water. All she needed to was accept the offer and drink from a spiritual fountain that would never run dry. However, this offer of salvation is an offer that existed long before either one of them even knew their need for it.
Consider what Christ said to this woman in verse 10.
10 Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.
Do you see it? Christ stated the root of every person’s trouble. They do not know their need nor do they know the One Who can minister to their need. Both Nicodemus and this woman were spiritually ignorant. Instead, they were like the rest of the world. We see, especially in the case of this Samaritan woman, how she felt that she must be the one giving. That is not how salvation works. You see, salvation is a “gift from God.” He is the Giver. We are simply the receivers. Christ said, “If thou knewest the gift of God…thou wouldest have asked…”
Is that not the case for all people today? They are ignorant of their need. However, their ignorance does not preclude God’s gift.
8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
19 We love him, because he first loved us.
3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
We will now consider this “living water” that Christ offers. Suffice it to say it is His salvation. It is an offer given to all who will receive it regardless of their race, background, or beliefs. He freely offers it to all including all who are here this morning. Additionally, it is a gift offered long before any of us ever knew we needed it. Yet, He offers it still. May I say this morning that if you are here and you have never accepted His offer, today is a wonderful day to do so. He is saying to you, “If you knew His gift, you would ask.” What is His gift? It is spiritual, living water. Which brings us to our next point.
Spiritual, Living Water Is Beneficial to All Who Drink of It
Spiritual, Living Water Is Beneficial to All Who Drink of It
10 Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.
Note that Christ says if you knew the gift, you would have asked. In turn, anyone who asks is given living water.
What is so special about Christ’s living water? It is special because it meets a spiritual need that you nor this world can meet.
Consider for a few moments the importance of water.
First, physical and spiritual water are gifts from God. No man can boast of having created water. I thought about this and so asked Google if a man can create water. Google answered yes and then began to explain how incredibly hard it is for man to create water. In essence, man cannot create water for it takes an incredible amount of force to combine hydrogen and oxygen atoms together to make water. Thus, the pride of man shows itself once again. For man is unwilling to admit that only God has the power to make something so necessary to man’s survival as water. In the same way, men are so full of pride that they cannot admit that only God can provide salvation. And, just like water, the living water of Christ is completely necessary for eternal life.
Second, water is indispensable to man. Water is not a luxury. It is vital. Without water, a person cannot live. In the same way, without the spiritual, living water that comes from God, a person is eternally lost.
Third, water is a universal need. Everyone needs water to survive. It is is not localized to one place or group of people. The same is true of God’s salvation.
Fourth, water is refreshing. Think about this for a moment. It is a thought that amazes me. What is water? Essentially, it is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless liquid that can be cooled and heated. Yet, this colorless, odorless, and tasteless liquid is the most refreshing liquid in the world. Nothing is more blessed to the physical body than a cold drink of water on a hot summer day. It refreshes and satisfies. So it is with salvation. All who have drunk from God’s well of living water know how refreshing and satisfying it is.
What is my point? Just like physical water, spiritual water is a wonderful blessing from God. However, the living water Christ offers is a “gift.” You do not have to purchase it. Christ himself procured it by His death, burial, and resurrection. Now, He stands before you and me, offering it without any terms.
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?
23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;
7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
Let me remind you once again what Christ said to this woman at the well.
10 Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.
I know not the heart of each person here this morning. However, I do know this. This morning, you know. You know the gift of God. You know who is saying to you, “Give me to drink.” It is not I, for I am but a voice crying in the wilderness. No, it is the Lamb of God, God Himself, who offers to you this morning the gift of living water. It is an offer that stands in great contrast the world has to give. It is water with great spiritual benefits. It is the water of sins forgiven. It is spiritual new birth. Water comes from God, providing you access to His throne. Water brings spiritual life, changing you into a completely new person capable of living in a totally new way. All you have to do is accept His offer.
Closing
Closing
How does one accept His offer? It begins with recognizing that He loves you.
10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
You MUST accept this truth from God. I would encourage you to take a step of faith this morning.
Believe in Christ, who once and for all offered Himself as a sacrifice for your sin.
Repent of your sin.
Wholeheartedly believe in Christ who shed His blood on the cross of Calvary and, in doing so, provided forgiveness for your sin. Likewise, believe that God raised Him, the Lord Jesus Christ, from the dead so you might walk in the newness of life.
Sincerely receive the Lord Jesus Christ into your life.
That is the offer that stands before you. You can either accept it or reject it. The choice is yours. However, let me remind you that if you accept it, you will become a new creation and have full assurance of living eternally with God. By the same token, if you reject His offer, you will remain under God’s judgment, spiritually ignorant, powerless to overcome sin in your life, without any ability to please God, doomed to die in your sins, and condemned to eternal punishment, forever separated from God’s presence.