Key Scriptures: John 4:1-42
Before we begin, let's examine the character of this woman of Samaria. She was looked down upon because of where she was from, and she was despised because of her romantic affairs, yet she is the person who Jesus decided to disclosed himself to. This is another example of not knowing who God will use to fulfill his purpose and also another reason why we should not be a respector of persons. We should be careful how we treat people for we never know who God will send.
Think on these things as you prepare to answer one or all of the questions below:
1. This woman, an outcast because of her race and her lifestyle, found acceptance in Jesus. When have you associated with someone considered an outcast or befriended someone who wasn't part of your group?
2. Do you think the woman understood what sort of water Jesus was speaking of here? Looking at her lifestyle, what do you think she was really thirsy for?
3.In John 4:19-24, the woman abruptly changes the subject here. Was she really interested in the asnwer or was she more interested in moving the topic away from her lifestyle?
4. This is the very first time Jesus acknowledges exactly who he is. Why do you think he would choose to tell this woman, an outcast of society, instead of the leaders of Jewish religion and culture or even his own disciples. Do you find his action delightful or just a bit distasteful?
3 comments:
The woman of Samaria was an outcast. As Christians we are outcasts. We are the Ecclesia the called out. We have been set apart from the world to serve God. We like to Samaritan woman has accept the Savior's teaching and we go through our lives proclaiming the beauty of God's Kingdom (the Church of Christ) and we try to persuade all men to follow HIM.
The Samaritan woman was a promiscuous woman who apparently was an outcast due to her lifestyle. I'm sure that she was probably sneered at by other women because of her ungodly life and known deeds. Hence the fact that she chose to draw water from the well at a different time than the other women.
I believe that the Samaritan woman did not like the fact that she was an outcast. I'm sure she longed to be loved and accepted. She probably accepted the various men out of desperation to be loved. Who other than Jesus really knew this? It was not by chance that she met Jesus at the well. Note that Jesus did not belittle her but He addressed her life and confronted her with facts. Sometimes things have to be placed in our face before we can recognize and be free from our sins. God is all knowing. He knew that this woman needed Him in her life. Although she was a believer, she was not living a righteous life. Jesus knew that once He touched her heart, she would be responsible for other Samaritans to come to know the true Messiah.
When I think back on the life that I had prior to becoming a christian, I can truly say that I was no different from her in some of my actions including fornication and giving birth out of wedlock. I thank God that He called me from a world of sin into his glorious kingdom. It just goes to show that the bible is true. God searches our hearts and leaves the door for us to knock on so that He can open it. I'm sure many of us can attest to doing sinful things, in the past, and not feeling good about them knowing that we were not doing the will of God. Howdver, we did not know how to turn from those negative actions.
As we move forward with our christianity, instead of forgetting where we came from and belittling others, let's share with someone else about our past and where God has brought us from. You never know who you may be able to help or lead to Christ by letting your life be an open book. Love you all!!
There are so many great comments here. I have learned lots from this blog. I hope that you will keep it active.
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