A Drink from the Well

What Jesus Saw (1-6)

A Samaritan Woman?

The Samaritans were considered a half-breed by the Jews. They had a religion formed by syncretism with Judaism and idolatry.

2 Kings 17:27–28 ESV

Then the king of Assyria commanded, “Send there one of the priests whom you carried away from there, and let him go and dwell there and teach them the law of the god of the land.” So one of the priests whom they had carried away from Samaria came and lived in Bethel and taught them how they should fear the Lord.

2 Kings 17:33 ESV

So they feared the Lord but also served their own gods, after the manner of the nations from among whom they had been carried away.

There was an ethnic and religious divide. It had resulted in open conflict in the past (Nehemiah).

Jesus had to go through Samaria. He was on a mission to redeem this woman and others in Samaria.

Christ bridges the divide between people groups!

Ephesians 2:11–16 ESV

Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands— remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility.

A Skeptical Woman?

Water for a Thirsty Soul (7-15)

Only Jesus can provide LIVING WATER for a Thirsty Soul.

A Seeking Woman?

Jeremiah 2:11–13 ESV

Has a nation changed its gods, even though they are no gods? But my people have changed their glory for that which does not profit. Be appalled, O heavens, at this; be shocked, be utterly desolate, declares the Lord, for my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water.

The broken cisterns that she trusted in:

Heritage - Jesus offered living water, but she trusted in what was familiar. Christ is greater than your ethnic or cultural heritage! Praise God for Jacob and the well that he dug, but Jesus is greater than Jacob!

Human relationships - they had been broken and she was living in sin. Christ is sweeter than any human relationship. You will never truly have the relationship with others that God intends if you are not in fellowship with the one who made you first!

Traditional religion - We worship this way. Christ surpasses all of man’s methods to approach God.

Living water, that which bubbles up from the inside, not a cistern that traps stagnant water.

Living water, that which is constantly renewed and refreshed.

The Water that I give will be in him a a spring of water welling up to eternal life.

A Sinful Woman?

Worship from a Transformed Heart (16-30)

Only Jesus can enable LOVING WORSHIP from a Transformed Heart.

In order to provide her with salvation, Jesus first had to confront her with her sinful condition. “You have had 5 husbands...”

True worship takes place when a person has recognized the truth of who they are and who Jesus is, and then received a new spirit. True worship is only possible through Jesus Christ!

A Saved Worshiper!

What are you seeking to fill your longing heart? Who are you trusting?