The Most Unlikely Person
John 4:1-42 "Living Water"
To be able to appreciate the radical ministry of Jesus in John chapter 4, you must understand who Samaritans are. Israel was composed of 12 tribes and these tribes were divided geographically into the northern and southern Israelite kingdoms. Samaria was a region of the northern kingdom, just north of Jerusalem. The Samaritans were formerly the Jews of the northern tribes. The northern kingdom failed to keep God’s covenant and as a result, they were attacked and conquered by the Assyrians (see 2 Kings 17:1-42). The Assyrian king carried many of the Israelites off to foreign lands and those that remained in Samaria were forced to dwell and intermarry with Assyrians. However, for Jews to intermarry and worship other gods was strictly forbidden by God. Yet, the Jews of Samaria eventually assimilated into Assyrian culture and customs and worshipped multiple gods. These former Jews, now Samaritans, tried to hold onto their Jewish heritage by creating their own Pentateuch (Old Testament), temple and record of history.
In the following years, animosity grew up between the Jews of the Southern Kingdom and the intermarried Jews of the northern kingdom (also called Samaritans). An intense racism and hatred arose between the two nations and Jews of the south considered the Samaritans (formerly their Jewish brothers) unclean and avoided them at all costs. Jews even went as far as walking around Samaria, crossing through the Jordan River and back just to avoid defiling themselves by entering Samaria or coming into contact with a Samaritan.
Jesus, full of compassion for all people, desiring to save people from every tribe and nation, walks right through the heart of Samaria and begins to share the gospel with a Samaritan. Jesus is doing more than just breaking cultural norms. He is destroying racism; he is ushering in his kingdom among the poor in spirit; he is restoring the lost sheep of Israel; he is bringing salvation to the lost, to the lowly, to the degraded and downcast.
Engage the Text
- Read John 4:10-14 and John 7:37-39. What does the water Jesus is talking about represent?
- What does it mean to “worship in spirit and truth”? Read also John 14:6. How do we worship in spirit and truth?
- How does the woman respond when Jesus speaks about her past? What does she do when Jesus reveals that he is the Messiah, the Christ?
- What harvest is Jesus talking about in verses 31-38? How do we reap what we did not sow?
- Verse 42 is a beautiful description of what Jesus is accomplishing. Jesus is indeed the Savior of the world, not just the Jews. Write out your thoughts about Jesus being the savior of the world.
From Thought to Action
- One of the beautiful messages we can take from John chapter 4 is that Jesus knows our past and loves us anyways. Jesus still pursues us. Every one of us has things we are ashamed of, things we hope no one ever finds out or speaks of, just like the woman at the well. Addictions, adultery, stealing, jealousy, divorce, greed, lying, alcoholism, drug use, pornography etc. Yet, Jesus knows all these things already and still loves us. In fact, Jesus came to give his life for people just like that. Jesus came to set the captives free- free from spiritual slavery and death, free from despair, free from shame. Jesus grants us life, joy and freedom. Take a few moments to reflect on your heart and life. What is it in your life that you need Christ to set you free from? Are you ashamed? Confess to God your hurt and sorrow and ask him to renew you by his Spirit. If able, share with your community group where you need God to work in your heart and ask them to pray for you.
- Verse 39, “Many Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, …” . If you trust in Christ, your testimony is a powerful tool for sharing the gospel. Don’t underestimate what God can do through your testimony. Many will argue with the Bible or judge the church, but they cannot argue with your personal testimony of how God has worked in your life. Who are you sharing your testimony with? Who has God burdened your heart for? How can you share with others what God is doing in your life? Discuss how to share one’s testimony and if time permits, allow someone from the group to do so.
- Do you have eyes to see the harvest around you? Are you asking God to give you eyes to see where he is working so you can join him there? Do you really believe God desires to save many in this city? Prayerfully ask God to change your eyes, your heart, your desires, your will, so that they come in line with His will. Pray for God to use you and your testimony this week.
