The Woman At The Well

Who, in the Bible do you identify with?  Peter?  David?  Esther?  Martha?
I can identify with many characters but, if I'm being honest, it is the woman at the well.  She had several husbands and a "live in".  A situation like this is commonly the result of abuse, rejection or the lack of a father figure when growing up.  When she repented, she never looked back.

Jn 7:28 is commonly sited as the first time in John that Jesus states "I Am".  In Jn 4:26 (three chapters prior to chapt. 7) Jesus says, "I Am" to the Samaritan woman at the well. (Samaritans were idol worshipers who intermarried with the Jewish people and counted themselves as Jews.  For the most part, Jewish people despised them.)  Jesus had many dealings with women and always we find Him understanding and gentle.

Jesus went looking for her to specifically save her from herself.  Jn 4:4 says He "had to go through Samaria".  No He didn't; not physically.  It was actually out of the way.  He had to go because He knew this woman would be at this well at this time of day.  In v. 8 we see His disciples had gone for food.   He was "tired and sat down".  I am assuming He sent them for food so He could visit with the Samaritan woman alone.  Let's also notice that He "sat down".  I am reminded of the phrase, "Let go and let God".  When we struggle for control, He "sits down"; let's us work at our problems alone.  If we "sit down" and let him have the wheel, He gets up and goes to work on our problems.  He was sitting in this scene because He was waiting for a woman who had been trying to work out her life by herself.

In v. 6, we find out it was about noon - in the desert - lots of sun - few trees - it was the heat of the day.  People do not go out to get water in the heat of the day.  They would go early morning and evening when it was cooler.  Why did this woman come in the heat of the day?  She was shunned, gossiped about and scorned for her life choices.  The people knew who she was in this small town.  I have lived in a small town.  Believe me, they knew all about her.  

Verse 7 calls her "a Samaritan woman".  Commonly, when the Bible refers to a person without giving their name, they are a non believer.  This, and being Samaritan gives us evidence that she is not a believer.  Samaritans were people intermarried with the Jews and separate.   Some knew the God of Moses, some were even idol worshipers.

In v. 9 He asks her for a drink.  He initiates the conversation.  So many times in the Bible, Jesus approaches those He knows are in need.  He got her attention.  She comments on Him, as a Jew, speaking to her as a Samaritan.  Keep in mind, she was also aware of her status among her people.

In v. 10, He states the "gift of God . . . . would have given you living water."  He is revealing Himself to her; something He seldom did directly.  Jesus revealed Himself to women many times.  He was being intimate and sharing a special moment. I believe it is so much easier for women to relate to and understand Him than it is for men.  We see by church attendance that there are more Christian women than there are men.  Interesting, when you think of how Eve was fooled.  

Of course, the living water He spoke of was the Holy Spirit, as He explains in v. 13 and 14.  (Jer. 2:13)   In v. 15, she is still not clear on what He is saying.  He continues to gently guide her into the truth.  She is making progress; she wants what He has to give.  Then, He tests her in v. 16 and she comes through with the truth about herself in v. 17 where Jesus compliments her for her honesty.  

  Through v. 18 he tells her about herself, pointing out her sin WITHOUT any condemnation.  What a beautiful Savior!  Now, she is catching on; in v. 19 she has upgraded him to the status of "prophet".  She has had revelation:  In v. 9 she called him a "Jew".  In v. 11, she addresses Him as "Sir".  Now, in v. 19, she sees Him as a "prophet".  (Three is the number of the God head.)  She has increased in understanding with each step of their encounter.

Their conversation continues through v. 24 while He tells her of a time, that is coming, when WHERE people worship will not be an issue.  All will worship God through the Holy Spirit, wherever they are.  Our worship of God will come from within and through the spirit.  God, who is spirit, can only be worshiped through spirit.  (I see a hidden reference here to grace over the law.)

The Samaritan woman reveals her faith in v. 25.  Now that this is out in the open, Jesus reveals His true self to her in v. 26 with the declaration, "I Am".  (See my blog titled, "I Am".  Every Jew and certainly most,if not all, Samaritans knew the name of God, "I Am As I Am".)   First comes your faith, then comes Jesus.  You take the first step and He is waiting.  This is the first "I Am" declaration to a Gentile woman.  It may be the only one - I would have to research that.  

Now, the disciples return and here is their Rabbi talking with a Samaritan and a woman on top of that.  Verse 27 says they did not ask any question.  They presumed it was alright because they presumed she was married.  They didn't know anything about her. 

Verse 28 is interesting because she left her water jar.  She came to the well, in the heat of the day to get this water that she surely needed.  Why did she leave without it?  SHE NO LONGER NEEDED IT.  She now had the living water; the Holy Spirit or a temporary facsimile.  (The Spirit was not sent permanently to all until Pentecost, recorded in Acts.)  We can assume this because of what follows in the next couple verses.  She no longer cared what people had to say about her or to her.  She had the spirit and she was going to talk about Jesus.  She was excited.  She was not shy or hesitant.  This woman was "on fire".   

As she spoke with Jesus, you can see her revelation of what He was saying and who He was.  She accepted without doubt or question and became an instant evangelist to people who despised her - much like Jesus himself.   She never  questioned Him or anything He was telling her as He brought her gently along to the understanding of who He was and the gift of The Spirit.  

Now comes one of my favorite parts of the story.   The disciples urge Jesus to eat and He tells them He is no longer hungry.  He is talkative and refreshed.  Why?  Because this wonderful woman took what He was giving.  She had a need and He has so much to give.  Just a step out in belief and He gives freely, without condemnation.  This is what He does; He is our Savior, Jesus, the Christ.  He is here for us; the Shepard taking care of the sheep.  Believe on Him and He will give to you because it replenishes Him to give more.

He proceeds to tell his disciples of the many people who are anxiously waiting for just such a message - "the fields are ripe for harvest".  This woman continued harvesting and brought many believers who invited Him to stay with them and teach more.  The people were grateful to her for pointing Him out to them.

Note:  Nowhere in this passage, did Jesus tell her "Go and sin no more".  Why?  It is stated that he needed to go to Samaria to this well to talk with this woman.  We know that Jesus knows each of us intimately; no secrets here.  I believe he didn't tell her that because He knew she went  home and kicked out that guy she was living with.  I believe she repented and continued being the first Gentile woman evangelist. 

My you come to the understanding of the gentle, loving heart of Jesus and how He is waiting on you for that first step in faith.
Amen