John 4:7-9 -- Then a woman from Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give Me a drink”— For His disciples had gone off into the city to buy food— The Samaritan woman asked Him, “How is it that You, being a Jew, ask me, a Samaritan woman, for a drink?” (For Jews have nothing to do with Samaritans.)
Today we're shown why Jesus HAD to pass through this place. The Samaritan woman has unknowingly arrived for her appointment with Jesus!
This woman comes to the well around noon. The hottest part of the day. Most women come earlier and in groups to get water. So, either something is going on, causing her to come at this off hour or she is perhaps avoiding others. We find later she has a questionable reputation within the town. We're not told but it's interesting to think about who she is as we see this unfold.
Now, Jesus does what He has done from chapter one, He brings confrontation. He could've sat silently and said nothing. She would've drawn her water and left. Instead, Jesus does something that turns things upside down. He asks her for a drink.
"δός μοι πεῖν"
"didōmi egō pinō"
"Give me a drink."
These simple words certainly surprised the woman and threw tons of cultural and religious traditions right out the window! During Jesus' time the tradition was, Rabbis would not speak to women in public. They wouldn't even speak to their own wives while in public. Interestingly there were even some Pharisees referred to as "the bruised and bleeding" because they would duck their heads or shut their eyes if a woman came by them in the street. So, to say the religious and cultural rules were wildly strict during this time would be an understatement. YET… here's Jesus. The WORD made flesh. The only begotten Son of God. The WAY, the TRUTH, the LIFE. He breaks down all these walls and not only speaks to her, but he asks her for something.
We see in her response that Jesus has confronted her cultural views, religious beliefs, and even her own self-image, who she is. Immediately we see her responding with "you a Jew", "me a Samaritan woman". Those cultural lines built over years of anger, hatred, and even bloodshed. As I investigated further, I came across this in Clarke's commentary:
“The deadly hatred that subsisted between these two nations is known to all. The Jews cursed them, and believed them to be accursed. Their most merciful wish to the Samaritans was, that they might have no part in the resurrection; or, in other words, that they might be annihilated.” (Clarke)
Now, let that sink in.
Jesus, HAD to pass through Samaria. Jesus took rest for His weariness in Samaria. Jesus sent the disciples to buy supplies from Samaritans. Jesus spoke to a Samaritan. Jesus spoke to a Samaritan woman in public. Jesus not only spoke to, but asked for something from this Samaritan woman.
I am moved to tears as I sit here watching and listening to Jesus break down every wall man could build around this woman's heart.
The simplicity of how he confronts her. It hits me that being confronted by Jesus confronts everything inside of yourself. It challenges your past, who you've been, who you are, how you view yourself, your cultural beliefs, your societal beliefs, your political views, your religious beliefs, what you've experienced prior to now… all these things jump up and shout when Jesus shows up, but He isn't after any of those things. He's willing to flip every single one of those things upside down to get to your heart!
There is so much more I could keep pressing on but I'm going to end here. I'm honestly emotional as I think about all the reasons why Jesus shouldn't have come for me…. But He did anyway and I'm so grateful He did.
I'll close with this interesting thought from Guzik's commentary.
ii. For many reasons, this woman would have been despised by most of the religious leaders in the days of Jesus. She was a woman, a Samaritan, and a woman of questionable reputation. Yet, in the interview with Nicodemus John showed us, Jesus has something to say to the religious establishment. In the meeting with the Samaritan woman at the well John showed us, Jesus has something to say to those despised by the religious establishment.
You are loved. You are prayed over. You are not alone.
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