Jesus and the Samaritan Woman
INTRODUCTION
Have you ever had an encounter with someone and it felt very familiar? Almost as if it was meant to happen as if it was planned by someone? It might leave you suspicious, and you might ask yourself, “Do I know that person, or do they know me?” If you have experienced this, you are not alone! Many people all over the world have experiences that are in no way explainable, but they all have something wonderful in common. They made you feel amazing and blessed! These moments are not a coincidence! In fact, these are actually planned encounters! Yes! Long before it even happened.
All these moments are providential. There is one Almighty being who plans every single one of these encounters. You guessed it! God! The One who knows all things—past, present, and future. The One who knows every star in the universe by name! He who knows how many hairs are on your head. Yup! That’s our God. He has a purpose with these encounters, and they all align with His big plan to give all of His children an opportunity to know Him and have a chance at eternal life in heaven. God chooses people for His work before they are even born, regardless of their age or background.
““Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations. […] Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee….” — Jeremiah 1:5, 7
The story about the Samaritan woman is a lovely and wonderful encounter. The woman’s life was never the same after she met Jesus at the well, just as how all our lives are never the same after we seek the Living Well and encounter Jesus. The wonderful thing about meeting Jesus is that we no longer feel a need for things that are not good for us. Any worldly gain ends up vanishing like the wind! Our thirst is quenched, and we are finally satisfied!
“He who seeks to quench his thirst at the fountains of this world will drink only to thirst again. Everywhere men are unsatisfied. They long for something to supply the need of the soul. Only One can meet that want. The need of the world, ‘The Desire of all nations,’ is Christ” (Desire of Ages, p. 187.2).
A DIVINE APPOINTMENT
While He was on earth, Jesus had to go through Samaria. This was not by accident, but a divine appointment. We find ourselves in situations like this sometimes, and we are confused as to how or why we are there. Have you ever noticed how people react when they are stuck in traffic? Most of the time, it’s frustration or being impatient. What if that traffic was there for a reason? I know…I know—this might seem like one of those lessons your parents teach you to be more patient. God arranges events like this in our lives where He speaks to us personally. Although we hear these things quite often, they seem small or insignificant if we are not truly listening. Only when we focus and change our perspective can we hear God speaking to us through them. The once small and meaningless moments that used to make us impatient, then, turn into a season of growth. .
BREAKING BARRIERS
Jesus broke cultural, gender, and religious barriers by speaking to a Samaritan woman. He is no respecter of persons. We are all His children no matter what has happened to us, and no matter how many times we have become distant from Him.
“The hatred between Jews and Samaritans prevented the woman from offering a kindness to Jesus; but the Saviour was seeking to find the key to this heart, and with the tact born of divine love, He asked, not offered, a favor. The offer of a kindness might have been rejected; but trust awakens trust. The King of heaven came to this outcast soul, asking a service at her hands. He who made the ocean, who controls the waters of the great deep, who opened the springs and channels of the earth, rested from His weariness at Jacob’s well, and was dependent upon a stranger’s kindness for even the gift of a drink of water” (Desire of Ages, p. 183.4).
It is important that we evaluate our perspectives and views on people. How we treat others—how we view others—plays a big role in our walk with Jesus. If we find ourselves doing something we know we shouldn’t, do we judge ourselves in the same way we would judge someone else? Maybe there is a classmate whom we think is a nuisance because he is always doing things that annoy us. Deep down, we need to ask ourselves: “Why are they behaving this way?” Maybe they are being treated a certain way in their home that makes them act out when outside in public. Maybe this behavior is a coping mechanism for a trauma they have experienced. Reasoning like this does not mean we should justify that person’s behavior, but instead, it should help us understand their situation and show them true, Christlike love.
We must turn to Jesus if we want to be this shoulder for others to lean on. We must have a connection and relationship with Jesus if we want to be a source of comfort for them. We cannot give that which we do not have. Let’s say we were Jews in the time of Jesus, and we came upon a well and encountered our enemies—the Samaritans. Would we have had the same connection that Jesus had with the Samaritan woman? Would we be quick to judge and place a title on all Samaritans because of their story? Do we see race, background, social status when we see others? Or, instead, do we see a child of God longing for love? Jesus doesn’t see race, gender, or social status. He calls everyone to salvation, no matter their past or background.
EARTHLY WATER AND LIVING WATER
The Samaritan woman was focused on physical, earthly water, but this was not the living water which Jesus was speaking of. It’s amazing how the Bible describes this water in many ways (see Jeremiah 2:13). God is described as the fountain of living water. In other words, He is the Source of true spiritual life and sustenance. That’s amazing! Jesus was explaining to the Samaritan woman that He could provide her with the Source of true happiness and satisfaction—God Himself.
We only feel unsatisfied when we distance ourselves from God, and when we choose to ignore the voice of God. These moments are the most difficult ones because the enemy tempts us with what we most desire. However, if eternal life is what you most desire, God will freely give you His Spirit to strengthen you to obtain it. You will overcome any and all temptation or obstacle the enemy throws in your way.
The Bible says:
“And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son” (Revelation 21:6-7).
The living water is freely given by God to those who seek Him. This living water is our salvation! It grants us to live an eternity with God, and we will spend eternity sharing to other beings what God did for us on earth and how He helped us in our walk with Him. Wow! Can you imagine that? I want you to close your eyes and picture yourself there, sharing the many situations He has pulled you out of—all the darkness and fear He has saved you from. What a sight that is, and what a day that will be!
JESUS REVEALS HER PAST AND OFFERS GRACE
Jesus gently exposes the Samaritan woman’s sinful past (having multiple husbands) without condemnation. Notice how Jesus spoke to her. He spoke with love! It is difficult to do this. Sometimes we see others doing wrong and we want to call them out. But let us take a deeper look into our own life. Why are we paying attention to others? Are we perfect? Are we sinless? Sin is sin, isn’t it? Yes, there are greater and lesser consequences to them here on earth, but ultimately, sin will lead us to spiritual death.
If we had the love that Jesus showed for the woman, we wouldn’t see her as a sinner; we would see someone in need of a Savior. We would see someone who is longing and thirsting for something deeper since they are not satisfied with this earthly water. Jesus does not see us as sinners; rather, He sees His children for whom He died. He does not ignore sin, but He also does not reject the sinner. Thus, He offers redemption. No matter what you’ve done, Jesus already knows it, and still offers grace and transformation. “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). Are you willing to be transformed? Are you ready to leave your water pot behind? God is waiting for you with open arms.
TRANSFORMATION FROM SINNER TO MISSIONARY
Overwhelmed with joy, the Samaritan woman left her water pot at the well, her heart now thirsting for the living water. Forgetting everything else—including the Savior’s thirst—she ran back home to share the words of life she had received from Jesus. Her soul ignited with hope, and she became a messenger of light to others.
The woman believed in Jesus because He spoke to her heart. She was ready to be transformed and longed for relief of her sins. She forgot about the people. She forgot about how they used to shame her, and now, she focused on Jesus, her gentle Savior. Do you ever notice what happens when you do something wrong? Those thoughts that start running through your head—“Why did you do that? You should be ashamed. They will not see you the same”—are wicked thoughts that Satan puts in your head. With these thoughts, Satan wants you to feel ashamed, to feel unworthy of confessing your sins and asking for forgiveness. This is how he takes you away from God’s mercy.
Jesus does the opposite of what Satan does. We must accept the forgiveness that He so freely offers us. Like the Samaritan woman, you will be able to face those who condemn you, and to share the love of Christ and His power that has washed away your sins. When people see this new life in you, they will be inspired and drawn to the power behind it! They will thirst for this living water that you have been blessed with, and as they are drawn by this thirst, they will come to Jesus.
YOUR WATERPOT
Time and time again, I find myself in the position where I am not satisfied. What do I usually do? I keep going back for that earthly water. The message that God is trying to communicate with this wonderful story of the Samaritan woman is for you to go to Him when you are thirsty. Go to Him when you are weak and when you feel you are about to fail. Seek His presence when you feel you have no strength left, when you are knocked down. Only then, when we commit to Him and keep our eyes upon Him, will we be able to overcome any trial by His grace. And I know this because I have experienced it.
Before I knew Jesus personally, I found myself in an endless, destructive, dark cycle. I felt it was impossible to be free. I reached the point where I thought this cycle was never going to let me out. I wanted to end it. I was convinced there was only one way out—death. I tried hard to “free” myself, but God would not allow me to die. He gave me what felt like my last opportunity and I took it. I asked for help and that help led me to the foot of the cross. The cross showed me what Jesus did to free me from my vicious cycle. I found my everlasting spring of living water. It was amazing—I felt alive! Finally after so many years, I felt like I had a new purpose: to live for God’s cause and to share my experience with people. To leave my water pot behind—along with its guilt and shame and tell others what Jesus has done for me!
If you have tasted living water but have turned around to earthly springs, remember the time you were truly satisfied. Remember that this earthly spring will eventually dry out, and, with it, those who thirst and thirst again will be left dry and thirsting for more. But you can return to the well, and Jesus will be there to help you forget of your thirst. Then, just as the Samaritan woman did, you will leave behind your water pot because your thirst has been quenched.
