I've taught John 4, Jesus and the Samaritan Woman, twice in the past month.I guess you could say the gal has been on my mind. I've been intrigued by the ways her life parallels the life of Christians today. Before you raise your eyebrows –– you're comparing today's believers to the Samaritan prostitute?? –– I think there are a few lessons to be learned here.
John 4 begins by saying Jesus "had to go through Samaria" on His return to Galilee. He could have taken the long way home around Samaria, but instead He took the direct route. He "had to go" because Jesus intended to introduce Himself to her. That day. Think about when you first believed. Jesus was there waiting for you. I remember that day clearly in my life. Our relationship with Jesus is personal, individual. He sought you and me the same way He sought the Samaritan woman.
Jesus went where she was. Interrupted her day. Why was she drawing water in the hottest part of the day? Because she was a prostitute, an outcast, shunned by all the other village women who drew water together as a social event in the very early cool of the morning. She didn't fit in. More and more as Christians today we discover we don't fit in. Our culture is changing so rapidly. The movies, music, attitudes, behavior, and lifestyles that our culture celebrates continue moving further away from godliness. We don't fit in. We're on a different path.
To her surprise, she found Jesus waiting at the well when she arrived. It was a long hot walk lugging a heavy water jar. Life was hard and she was lonely. But that was about to change. One tiny encounter. One conversation hearing the truth. That's what happens to us too. I remember that truth conversation in my life. I had just celebrated my 20th birthday. Someone sat and opened the Bible with me and explained that I needed a Savior. Jesus was waiting there for me, sitting on the sofa in our little apartment that Sunday afternoon. Where did you meet Jesus?
Jesus told her the Father was looking for people who would worship in Spirit and in truth. That was life-changing news for her. Me too. You too. That afternoon long ago I discovered the Father was looking for me. I have value to God. Our culture tells us, "There is no God, there are no rules, there are no consequences. Live for today." Jesus tells us the Father sent Me to rescue you. You are Mine. I AM your Savior.
I sometimes wish my response was as magnificent as hers. She left behind her heavy water jar and ran! She forgot all about everything else. Where was she headed? Here's the part that caught my attention. She ran straight to the same people in town who shunned her. She told everyone in her village –– those same people who didn't welcome her to draw water together, who looked down on her when she walked by –– that she just discovered the Person everyone in the village was longing for! Here's where her story and our stories differ. In her culture, there was a growing anticipation that Messiah was coming. She cried out to them, "Could He possibly be the Messiah?" Have I found Him? In our culture, we are more likely to face indifference. I didn't run that Sunday long ago. I knelt beside our bed and accepted this wonderful invitation to receive Jesus. But my life changed as joyously as hers changed.
How did those people who shunned the Samaritan woman respond? They came "streaming from the village to see Him." Many of those people believed in Jesus because the woman said, "He told me everything I ever did!" Jesus knew her. He knew every part of her life, everything about her, HE KNEW. Just as He knew every one of those villagers streaming to see Him. Just as He knows you and me. The story ends with the villagers begging Jesus to stay with them. He stayed for two days. Imagine the conversations! Imagine the change in that village. The people told the woman we believe not only because you said so, but because we met Him and believe. But how did they meet Him? She told her Jesus story. She sprinted into town filled with news she just had to share. I'm sure her joy was contagious. They were drawn to hear more.
So what lessons are waiting for us? Can we be that Samaritan woman today? I think we can. We're also surrounded by people who need Jesus. We also have a Jesus story to tell. Her story began at a well. My story began on a sofa. Where did your Jesus story begin? It's hard to talk about Jesus to people who don't care. I understand. It's hard for me too. But that's where she was different. She was so enthralled with Jesus that she forgot they didn't want her! She forgot they shunned her! She told them anyway. And God blessed those conversations.
Imagine how different that woman's life was from that day on. Her heart was filled with love for Jesus. Surrounded by a village of friends and fellow believers. No longer lonely or shunned. Can't you picture her early the next morning, carrying her water jar, walking to the well with all the other women, everyone talking at the same time about Jesus.
Imagine what God could do if we were all A Samaritan Woman today ...