The Woman At The Well

The Samaritan woman at the well, found in John 4: 7-43, is one of the most popular women in the Bible. Her encounter with Jesus was life changing. It also is a source of encouragement for us.

First Jesus offers her "living water" in spite of her nationality. Jesus was a Jew and she was a Samaritan. Verse 9 says, "For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans". The fact that Jesus was even talking to her was amazing.

Second, He knows her history. She has had five husbands and the man she was currently living with was not her husband. Again this didn't stop Jesus from offering her the water that will become "a spring of water welling up to eternal life." He didn't tell her to change her lifestyle. I am going to assume that the changes came later. As we grow in our faith, the Holy Spirit will convict us of sin and the need for repentance.

Third, He points out that one day all (regardless of heritage) "true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for such the Father seeks to worship him". Paul says in Romans 10:12, "For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and bestows his riches upon all who call upon him".

The woman leaves her water jar and goes back to the city and tells the people what took place. They go to where Jesus is. Verses 39-42 says, "Many Samaritans from the city believed in him because of the woman's 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 two more days. And many more believed because of his word. They said to the woman, "It is no longer because of your words that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world." She is doing the work of an evangelist!

Jesus meets us where we are. It doesn't matter your sex, lifestyle, or heritage. He is seeking true worshipers. The lifestyle changes will happen. You cannot follow Jesus and not be changed! There is so much more to be gleaned from these verses. I hope you are encouraged.