Woman At The Well

The Big Idea

Jesus saves the sinner, and he calls the Christian

The Story

Hated Samaritans John 4:3-7

John 4:3–7 The Message

3 So Jesus left the Judean countryside and went back to Galilee. 4 To get there, he had to pass through Samaria. 5 He came into Sychar, a Samaritan village that bordered the field Jacob had given his son Joseph. 6 Jacob’s well was still there. Jesus, worn out by the trip, sat down at the well. It was noon. 7 A woman, a Samaritan, came to draw water. Jesus said, “Would you give me a drink of water?”

The Jews hated Samaritans (give history)

Woman approaches

But there are a couple things that are wrong with the picture

The normal time to draw water was morning or evening during the cooler hours of the day. This woman is coming to draw water at a time when no one else would normally be at the well.

Why she should come to that well is something of a mystery, for it was more than half a mile from Sychar where she must have lived, and there was water there

This woman is hiding something

She was a human being with emotions, pains, insecurities like anyone else.

Talk to a woman John 4:7-9

John 4:7–9 The Message

7 A woman, a Samaritan, came to draw water. Jesus said, “Would you give me a drink of water?” 8 (His disciples had gone to the village to buy food for lunch.) 9 The Samaritan woman, taken aback, asked, “How come you, a Jew, are asking me, a Samaritan woman, for a drink?” (Jews in those days wouldn’t be caught dead talking to Samaritans.)

Even the woman was surprised that Jesus was talking to her

I’m sure she wondered what his motives were and what he was thinking

Jesus offers eternal life John 4:10-15

John 4:10–15 The Message

10 Jesus answered, “If you knew the generosity of God and who I am, you would be asking me for a drink, and I would give you fresh, living water.” 11 The woman said, “Sir, you don’t even have a bucket to draw with, and this well is deep. So how are you going to get this ‘living water’? 12 Are you a better man than our ancestor Jacob, who dug this well and drank from it, he and his sons and livestock, and passed it down to us?” 13 Jesus said, “Everyone who drinks this water will get thirsty again and again. 14 Anyone who drinks the water I give will never thirst—not ever. The water I give will be an artesian spring within, gushing fountains of endless life.” 15 The woman said, “Sir, give me this water so I won’t ever get thirsty, won’t ever have to come back to this well again!”

Jesus is using the water as a metaphor of the spiritual life that he can give, but she misunderstands it

Jesus was saying, “You think you are here at the hottest point of the day to try and satisfy a physical thirst, but there is another thirst that I can quench. The thirst for fellowship, for forgiveness, for friendship.”

But in order for this to happen, Jesus had to confront something in her life.

Confronts Sin John 4:16-19

John 4:16–19 The Message

16 He said, “Go call your husband and then come back.” 17 “I have no husband,” she said. “That’s nicely put: ‘I have no husband.’ 18 You’ve had five husbands, and the man you’re living with now isn’t even your husband. You spoke the truth there, sure enough.” 19 “Oh, so you’re a prophet!

He confronted her sin of infidelity…her lifestyle of sexuality that is contrary to the commandments in God’s Word

I’m sure you can imagine that it was probably a little uncomfortable for her

She probably thought, I don’t want to talk about this

He is probably going to despise me for my lifestyle like the rest of my community

So she tries to change the subject

Over the next few verse she changes the subject to worship and about the difference in religion between her people and Jesus people.

She conclude by saying that Messiah is coming who will tell us all things

Jesus responds, “I am He”

In other words, I have com to bring salvation

And the woman ent back to her town (left her waterpot and everything), and told the people, come and see a man whose told me everything I’ve ever done.

Could this be the Messiah?

And many came out of the town to see Jesus

Meanwhile this is happening the disciples returned and Jesus tells them:

John 4:35

John 4:35 ESV

35 Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, then comes the harvest’? Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest.

Right as the Samaritans crowds were coming, Jesus is telling his disciples....look up…you see these crowds that you hate, that you despise, they are ready for harvest.

That many people believe in Jesus because of the woman’s testimony, and because they had heard Jesus himself speak, and were convinced that he was the Savior of the world.

The Challenge

For Christians - Do you see people through the eyes of Jesus, not as despicable sinners, but as people ready to hear the good news of the gospel of Jesus?

For Non-Christians - Jesus offers salvation to you as well. You have a different story than the Samaritan woman, but you can have the same salvation that she got that day

Forgiveness from sin and shame

A relationship with you Creator.

ABC’s of salvation

Prayer (pray this in your heart, as I pray it out loud)

Dear Lord Jesus I believe you're the son of God. I believe that on the cross you took my sin, my shame, and my guilt, and you died for it. You faced hell for me so I wouldn't have to go. You rose from the dead to give me a place in heaven, a purpose on earth, and a relationship with your father. Today Lord Jesus I turn from my sin to be born again. God is my father, Jesus is my savior, the Holy Spirit is my helper, and heaven is my home. In Jesus’ name, Amen.