There was a woman of Samaria. Her people so scorned her that she was forced to come alone at the hottest part of the day to get water. The other women enjoyed the protection and friendship of one another. (John 4)
She meets a Jewish man, named Jesus, who asks her to give Him a drink. She is quick to tell Him that Jews don’t associate with Samaritans, and certainly not with Samaritan women. This woman was painfully aware of her social isolation and rejection.
Jesus tells her “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.” This sparks a practical and theological conversation. “Sir, you have nothing to draw water with, and the well is deep” and “Are you greater than our father Jacob?” (John 4:10 NIV)
Jesus tells her to get her husband and proceeds to tell her all that has brought her to a place of shame and separation. Astonished, she declares that the man she speaks to must be a prophet. Jesus reveals Himself to her as Messiah.
She believes. Leaving her water jar, she goes back to the people who have alienated her; telling them “Come see a man who has told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?” (John 4:29 NIV)
This woman led her people to Jesus! The truth revealed to her transformed her so dramatically that those who looked down on her listened to her. The truth so transformed her that she went from being an outcast to a leader of men.
She experienced living water, calling others to “come to see a man.” I am challenged to do the same.
– Susan Kewin
Christ Fellowship