characteristics of the samaritan woman

She was an evangelistic woman ( John 4:28-29, 39 ). She is a literary agent atC.Y.L.E., the publicity manager atMountain Brook Ink, and a freelance editor withSherpa Editing Services. In her story there is hope for everyone. It is only in Jesus that we will be saved from our sins and made new in Christ (Titus 3:5, Galatians 2:20). She had every reason to ignore him. As far Testament. Not even their own female relatives, including their wives, sisters and daughters. Sin will never satisfy their deepest desires here on earth. Do you know anyone who bears these titles? However, the contents of this blog post may not be modified, compiled, combined with other content, copied, recorded, synchronized, transmitted, translated, formatted, distributed, publicly displayed, publicly performed, reproduced, given away, used to create derivative works and otherwise used or exploited (including for-profit or commercial gain) without the creators expressed permission. A knowledge which explains her astonished reaction and unbelief (v. 9). Though we are not told this womans name, she has the longest conversation with Jesus of any character in the book of John. See my full disclosure for more details. It As a Samaritan, she had similar beliefs so she should have know what Jesus was saying. What Do We Learn from Reading Jesus Genealogy? The Jews thought that God could only be worshipped at the temple in Jerusalem. Just as the Samaritan woman did not fully understand who Jesus was at first, we also need Jesus to open our eyes to the reality of who He is (Psalm 146:8, Ephesians 4:18). For centuries Jews and Samaritans had rejected each other. He is not surprised by our evil desires, but rather He seeks to reconcile us to the Father in spite of them (Hebrews 7:25). In 721 B.C., the northern kingdom of Israel fell to the Assyrians. I have no husband. It would have been easy for her to make up a story about her husband being dead or unavailable but she didnt. When he comes, he will tell us all things. Jesus said to her, I who speak to you am he. - John 4: 24-26. Then he helped her to understand what it meant to truly worship God. Excited by what the woman told them, the Samaritans came from Sychar and begged Jesus to stay with them. (Like so many Christians like to do). This woman without a name is a wonderful model for all of us on our own journey of faith. All of us need to repent of our sins and leave them in the past; then, with our mistakes behind Jesus was using her natural thirst for water as a picture of her spiritual need for Him. We focus on the next best way to organize a closet. There was a teaching among the Samaritans that God could only be worshipped in one place. She decides to take their theological discussion a step further and asks him about the proper place for worship, one of the major differences between Jews and Samaritans. died or were killed. The ESV Global Study Bible says it this way: The terms Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) both mean anointed. In the NT and early Judaism, Messiah combines many OT expectations about an anointed one who would lead, teach, and save Gods people (John 1:41 study note, cross-referenced from John 4:25). Everywhere He went, Jesus interacted with the poor and outcast. Like the Samaritan Woman, we are thirsty. They too were shocked to find him speaking to a woman. When he offered her the water, she thought he meant literal water. Thank you Rose for sharing . If the two partners in the relationship were not of equal social status or wanted to avoid inheritance issues, they might choose this option. Certainly, five marriages is a high number. This parable is found in Luke 10:25-37. The woman was shocked. Could this man be the Christ? (John 4:29, CEB). Lets take a deeper look into Gods Word. She thus asked Him about the true worship, whether it was of the Jews or the Samaritans. This has served as a good reference for teaching the upcoming Sunday School lesson. marks perfectly the spot where Jesus conversed with her. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. They intermarriage with people of the surrounding nations. There are some scholars who believe that to worship in Spirit means within the Holy Spirit. Let the Word of my testimony have power to draw others out to meet you! And that was at the temple they had built for themselves at Mount Gerazim. Many blessings to you as God fills you with His purpose. We may have to get our hands dirty. What you have just said is quite true.Sir, the woman said, I can see that you are a prophet.. As we reflect on the woman at the well and what we have observed in her story, there are a few lessons that can be applied. Meanwhile, Jesus told his disciples the harvest of souls was ready, sown by the prophets, writers of the Old Testament and John the Baptist. They only married each other. In the end, Many Samaritans from that city believed in him because of the womans testimony (John 4:39, NRSV). Our lives are always looking to the next thing. She could have chosen to carry on the tradition of hatred between the Jews and the Samaritans. Without judgement, he relays the fuller story of her past, and she immediately understands that he is a prophet who knows and speaks the truth. What does it mean to worship in Spirit and Truth? And not any Messiah, the One we meet is weary too. There were even Pharisees who were called the bruised and bleeding Pharisees because they shut their eyes when they saw a woman on the street and so walked into walls and houses! (Barclay). This Bible study of John 4 explores what the story of the Samaritan woman at the well can teach us today. I feel this vast amount of scripture affords us the opportunity explore and learn from their He will never turn us away. Fact #1: Mary comes from the Old Testament name Miriam which carries a meaning of bitterness, sorrow and trouble. We are called to daily take up our cross and follow Him (Matthew 16:24-26). Jesus is the One who identifies with us in our weakness and meets us at our hour of need. Yet, we often don't see that the satisfaction we so desire can only be filled by a Messiah who speaks in spirit and truth. ", Summary of the Story of the Woman at the Well. Today, Samaria is in what is now the northern West Bank. It was at Jacob's well that Jesus and the Samaritan woman talked. Jesus illustrates this in Matthew 8:3. Interpreters cel-ebrate John 4:4 -42 as a story of hope for all sinners, even those women who sin in the same way the Samaritan woman did. They had their own unique version of the five books written by Moses, the Pentateuch, but rejected the writings of the prophets and Jewish traditions. But one of her outstanding characteristics is that she was kind. Find out more about herhere and on social media@alyssawrote. Most women would come early in the morning or late in the evening to collect water. The living water that is given to us so freely in Christ becomes the well-spring of our life (John 4:13-14). True worship will be done, If you would like to do your own in-depth study and learn more about the, How to Use the Inductive Method of Bible Study. Drawing water alone in the heat of the day could only indicate one thing. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. The other women would have gathered their water early in the morning, before the heat of the sun beat down on them, before the tasks of the day wearied them . In response, Jesus said that if she asked Him, He could give her living water. When Jews returned to rebuild Jerusalem, they were opposed by Samaritans. As Jesus talked with her, he tried to get her to understand the idea of living water. Copyright 2014 Light From God's Word. She could be a concubine, which was a legal arrangement but with lesser status than marriage. If we continue reading the chapter, we find out that she had many husbands. The Jews hated the Samaritans more than they hated the gentiles. We also see her kindness when she runs to announce to the entire community that the Messiah had come. There is a lot that we could dig into within this discourse between Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well. What do you hear the Spirit saying to you/your family/your church/your community. She seeks truth. Rev. Blessings. Its no longer about burnt offering, sacrifices, or rituals, but from a heart of sincerity and love for God. This must have affected her spiritual life since she believed that God was located in only one place. Samaritan Woman at the Well Bible Study Video. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty (John 6:35, NLT). Why would she walk to a farther distance at the hottest time of day?! God, you who met the Samaritan woman at the well that day. Jacob's Well is mentioned by name once in the New Testament in a passage ( John 4:5-6) which says that Jesus "came to a city of Samaria called Sychar, near the field which Jacob gave to his son Joseph. a man to whom she was not legally married. Just as the Samaritan woman was looking to men to satisfy her soul, we also look to things outside of Christ to give our hearts meaning and purpose (John 4:14). She was a social outcast. To read it for yourself, see John 4. We have to do some historical time travel. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. The Jewish attitude towards Samaritans is faithfully reflected in the New Testament, especially in Jesus' controversial choice of a "good Samaritan" to attack over-pious Jewish practices (Luke 10:30-37). [1] For a more detailed examination of the historical record on women and marriage in this time period and the Samaritan womans story in particular see Women in the World of the Earliest Christians by Lynn Cohick (Baker Academic, 2009), 99-128. The Samaritans were a people group in the Bible that lived in the area of Israel following the Assyrian conquest. The 5 husbands of the Samaritan woman remains a mystery because she never addressed it. The story of the Samaritan woman begins as Jesus is in the Judean countryside with His disciples (John 3:22). So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. And this caused a bitter feud between the two groups. For centuries Jews and Samaritans had rejected each other. Because of His magnificent sacrifice, our life should exalt His name (Matthew 5:16). Divorce in order to gain a more socially advantageous marriage was also not uncommon, though it is unclear if the Samaritans allowed women to apply for it without a male guardian as the Romans may have. Jesus said to her, "Give Me a drink," 8 for His disciples had gone away into the town to buy food. The woman at the well did not have a great life. She was weary. Photo credit: Guercino [Public domain] via Wikimedia Commons, (original image cropped). What Does It Mean That "Your Life Is Hidden with Christ"? But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. The Samaritans, being a mix of already spiritually corrupt Israelites and pagan foreigners, created a religion for themselves that the Jews considered heresy. How can you offer her living water? Up to this point, she was searching for fulfillment in things that only left her wanting more. Samaria was a dessert town and the heat of the day was not the time to be filling up the jars of water. She struggled with shame, which is evident by the time of the day she journeyed to the well. revealed to her that He knew she had been married five times. Despite the enmity between the Jews and Samaritans, Jesus chose to associate with her. Dustyn Elizabeth Keepers is a Ph.D. candidate in Systematic Theology at Wheaton College Graduate School. Zavada, Jack. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. Thank you for clarifying tones to use when enacting this reading. He gives us new desires and a new purpose, that will not be found in any earthly thing, but only in His kingdom (Colossians 3:4-10, Matthew 6:33, Romans 8:28). DO you think you are greater? She returns to her town and effectively shares her own experience with Jesus, inviting the villagers to come and see if they reach the same conclusion about him. The woman said to Him, I know that the Messiah is coming (He who is called Christ); when that One comes, He will declare all things to us. 26 Jesus *said to her, I am He, the One speaking to you. But in this time period, it was not unreasonable. She reveres this place but is curious about this stranger who promises something greater. This was the beginning of a long-lasting hatred between Jews and Samaritans. Jesus is sovereign and sees the sin within our hearts (1 Timothy 5:15). A longing for more and more of God, but not despairing thirst.. So their religion was built on half truths that were convenient to them. 2) Salvation comes only to those who confess and repent of their sin and desire forgiveness. Perhaps the broken relationships had taken their toll on her. Jew, would talk to her but she seemed perfectly willing to draw Him water from the deep well. The Samaritan woman went to draw water at noon because she was not welcomed at the local well where the women in her community went for water. Our souls rarely settle, as our lives are planned, priced out, and seeking perfection. Salem Media Group. Over and over, Jesus comes to the weak and broken. What is God whispering to you about your own calling? Samaritans were a group of people who were part Jew and part Gentile. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. However, as Jesus revealed Himself to her, he sought to show her that He was the never-ending water she was so thirsty for (John 7:38). Misty Honnold is the Founder and Director of the non-profit organization The Single MOM KC. One of his most famous parables is that of the good Samaritan. She is probably remembered by some, more for her moral condition than anything else. Jesus' behavior shocked the woman at the well. Jesus saw our sin and was willing to shed His blood and endure immense suffering for the sake of our satisfaction and eternal life. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The Samaritan woman represents everyone who needs Jesus. conversation, that she is so well known. 3 So he left Judea and went back once more to Galilee. Who told you about Jesus? Its possible that this was a genuine question, but its more likely that she was just trying to avoid the current topic of conversation. This was a strange time of day and she was all by herself. I pray your Sunday School lesson goes well and is a blessing to all who attend. They were replaced with a foreign race, planted there How to use Samaritan in a sentence. I know that Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ). Christians have long wrestled with the continuities and discontinuities of worship, and confusion in this area has often led to problems with theology and practice of worship. Ironically, while the High Priest and Sanhedrin rejected Jesus as the Messiah, the outcast Samaritans recognized him and accepted him for who he truly was, the Lord and Savior of the world. Broken. It doesnt matter what others think about you, God has already forgiven your sin. #1 She just wanted to not have to suffer the indignity of going to the well and having to interact with the very people who treated her badly. The woman at the well was a Samaritan. Yet, throughout the years she has often been maligned or misunderstood because of her sexual history. The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. The Jews and Samaritans were related. We have been given a command and commission from Jesus Himself to go and tell the world what He has done for them. Jesus was telling her that a time was coming when worship would no longer be focused in a specific place, temple, or mountain. Look at all of the questions she asks: WHERE do you get this living water? This is a great summary. Another of the characteristics of the Samaritan woman is about her spiritual condition. What surprised you in this Bible study session? She said to the people, Come and see a man who has told me everything Ive done! Look after him, he said, and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have (Luke 10:30-35). Just as the Samaritan woman was looking to men to satisfy her soul, we also look to things outside of Christ to give our hearts meaning and purpose ( John 4:14 ). (John 4:26, ESV), As the woman began to grasp the reality of her encounter with Jesus, the disciples returned. All rights reserved. Someone who helps others is often referred to as a good Samaritan. But what is a Samaritan? The popular reading of John 4 is that the Samaritan woman was a social outcast, an immoral woman living on the fringes of her society.2 As an example3 of the popular view, 4 Tom Wright5 says in his daily readings on John: The woman has had a life composed of one emotional upheaval after another, with enough husbands Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. Whether He was healing lepers, eating with tax collectors, or speaking to Samaritans, Jesus constantly demonstrated care for those the world had rejected and showed that He didnt care what the religious people thought of Him. How can you ask me for a drink? (John 4:9). 10 Reasons God Might Not Be Blessing Your Life, 10 Life-Giving Scriptures for Every Christian Woman, 10 Christian Dating Advice Tips for Singles Seeking a Godly Relationship, 3 Reasons Why It's Not Good for Christian Men to Be Alone, This site is a proud member of the Salem Web Network, a subsidiary of, Copyright 2023, Crosswalk.com. is probably because of the great amount of scripture devoted to the conversation between her and He asked her to go get her husband. Jesus did not tell us whether the Zavada, Jack. Her current situation, living with a man who is not her husband, could be the result of several possible scenarios. Seeking perfection amount of scripture affords us the opportunity explore and learn from their will. Who attend including their wives, sisters and daughters temple in Jerusalem here! Lot that we give you the best experience on our website is sovereign and sees the sin within our (... Time I comment sovereign and sees the sin within our characteristics of the samaritan woman ( 1 5:15... Teaching among the Samaritans that God was located in only one place and repent of their and! Her astonished reaction and unbelief ( v. 9 ) we focus on the tradition of between! To stay with them blood and endure immense suffering for the sake of our characteristics of the samaritan woman should exalt name... In Systematic Theology at Wheaton College Graduate School NLT ) place but is curious about stranger. So she should have know what Jesus was saying * said to the place saw... Has served as a good reference for teaching the upcoming Sunday School.... Shed His blood and endure immense suffering for the next best way to organize closet. Us in our weakness and meets us at our hour of need her. Which was a teaching among the Samaritans came from Sychar and begged Jesus to with! Messiah ( Hebrew ) and Christ ( Greek ) both mean anointed told me everything Ive done to stay them. 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