characteristics of the samaritan woman
She is probably remembered by some, more for her moral condition than anything else. The Samaritans: Hope from the History of a Hated People. Copyright 2002-2023 Got Questions Ministries. God the Son Incarnate: The Doctrine of Christ by Stephen Wellum. But it was not altogether for their He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Why would she walk to a farther distance at the hottest time of day?! her life. They survived through the time of Jesus, and even, in limited numbers, to the present day. The They comfort us as we examine the evidence of Gods grace, mercy, and forgiveness in their lives and help us to see how we can relate to them. If you would like to do your own in-depth study and learn more about the characteristics of the Samaritan woman at the well, make sure to get the Bible Study Worksheets Kits. of I know that Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ). The Samaritan woman is perhaps the only person in all of the New Testament to whom Jesus directly says he is the Messiah. By reaching out to the Samaritans, Jesus showed that his mission was to all people, not just the Jews. He was a symbol. Jesus stayed two days, teaching the Samaritan people about the Kingdom of God. when He spoke of Himself having living waters (John 4:10). He asked her to go get her husband. One reason is probably because of the great amount of scripture devoted to the conversation between her and Jesus. Look at all of the questions she asks: WHERE do you get this living water? A Rabbi might not even speak to his own wife or daughter or sister in public. The Samaritan woman speaks to us about kindness and treating people like human beings, even when we ourselves get the rotten end of the stick. Through this statement, he shows her that His word is true. Despite the enmity between the Jews and Samaritans, Jesus chose to associate with her. She had an encounter with Jesus. They were replaced with a foreign race, planted there Its no longer about burnt offering, sacrifices, or rituals, but from a heart of sincerity and love for God. Not only was she in adultery, but she also had a shameful past. During the time of Jesus, Samaria was located between Galilee to the north and Judea to the south. The following are some outstanding characteristics of the Samaritan woman: She was an observant woman (John 4:9). Meet us in this story from Scripture and in our lives this day. The Samaritan woman was so ashamed of her lifestyle when she met Jesus. She was a receptive woman ( John 4:13-15, 21-25 ). Then he helped her to understand what it meant to truly worship God. It is only in Jesus that we will be saved from our sins and made new in Christ (Titus 3:5, Galatians 2:20). She had five husbands and she was living with a man who was not her husband. Your email address will not be published. This is a great summary. Jesus is the Messiah. Happy Womens Month to you . The sixth hour would have been our modern-day noon. Whether He was healing lepers, eating with tax collectors, or speaking to Samaritans, Jesus constantly demonstrated care for those the world had rejected and showed that He didnt care what the religious people thought of Him. For centuries Jews and Samaritans had rejected each other. Jesus transgresses boundariesJew and Samaritan, male and When she replied that she had no husband, He said, You are right when you say you have no husband. Who was the Samaritan woman at the well? A woman from Samaria came to draw water. But then she meets Jesus. Jews generally did not associate with these people because their ancestral roots were racially and religiously mixed. Jacob's Well is mentioned by name once in the New Testament in a passage ( John 4:5-6) which says that Jesus "came to a city of Samaria called Sychar, near the field which Jacob gave to his son Joseph. She was a perceptive woman (John 4:19). Jesus needed her to realize that she needed to get out of that mans bed! There are some scholars who believe that to worship in Spirit means within the Holy Spirit. Jesus knows her past and her pain, but He also knows her purpose. The Priceless Woman Virtues of a Godly Woman. 4 Things Christians Can Learn from The Story of the Woman at the Well 1. is probably because of the great amount of scripture devoted to the conversation between her and We have heard the old saying curiosity killed the cat. I have come to learn that the Lord loves inquiring minds. Shocked by the truth of His words and exposure of her own sin, her eyes are beginning to open to the truth of who He is. He gives us new desires and a new purpose, that will not be found in any earthly thing, but only in His kingdom (Colossians 3:4-10, Matthew 6:33, Romans 8:28). Salem Media Group. Years ago as I pondered this poor soul we know as the Samaritan woman, I thought this is who I am, rejected, abandoned, full of shame, and longing for a drink of living water, but not even knowing what it was I longed for. Everywhere He went, Jesus interacted with the poor and outcast. However, as Jesus revealed Himself to her, he sought to show her that He was the never-ending water she was so thirsty for (John 7:38). That scenario would certainly be similar to the example used by the Sadducees The woman at the well was a Samaritan. Next, Jesus is revealed as a prophet. Jesus acknowledged her past but he did not define her by it. But He took a shortcut through Samaria. Throughout his ministry Jesus did these things, specifically to set women free from societal norms and expectations that did not fully allow them to serve God. The Samaritan woman's story exemplifies the grace of God. This page last updated on June 17, 2014. Jesus loved her. 12 It is remarkable, for example, that in examining the Old Testament background of the expression 'living water' they concentrate on the symbols, Wisdom, Torah, Spirit, and ignore the figurative use of water in regard to women (for which, see below). A longing for more and more of God, but not despairing thirst.. He will never dissatisfy. She did not perceive that Jesus was offering her eternal life. This woman came for water at an unusual hour and she came alone. In fact, they took this so seriously thatthey would close their eyes when a woman approached them. Jacob's well was there." [1] John's Gospel goes on to describe a conversation between Jesus and a Samaritan woman (called Photini in Orthodox . She publishes a weekly blog on the website The Single MOM KC as well as freelances for other publications. Our souls rarely settle, as our lives are planned, priced out, and seeking perfection. [Jesus asked,] Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?, The expert in the law replied, The one who had mercy on him.. To the Jews, a Samaritan was more revolting than a Gentile (pagan); Samaritans were half-breeds who defiled the true religion. Jesus. Perhaps like the Samaritan woman, we need only acknowledge our place of brokenness, that place where we are attempting find satisfaction: I have no husband.. What did Jesus mean when He said, I am the Bread of Life (John 6:35)? Cast out. Or, perhaps, these words press on an area in your own heart. What can we learn from the Samaritan Woman at the well? I have no husband. It would have been easy for her to make up a story about her husband being dead or unavailable but she didnt. Jesus knows that the woman has had five husbands and that the man she is living with now is not her husband. Lord, let me realize my weakness and my need for a Savior day after day. He cares for the outcasts of society. The Samaritan woman listens with open attentiveness to Jesus as she asks him questions about her faith and hope. And, third, he asked her to get him a drink of water, although using her cup or jar would have made him ceremonially unclean. He is the author "Hope for Hurting Singles: A Christian Guide to Overcoming Life's Challenges. The Samaritans were mongrels in the eyes of Jews. Jesus was of Jewish descent, from the lineage of King David. But in this time period, it was not unreasonable. Jesus was telling her that a time was coming when worship would no longer be focused in a specific place, temple, or mountain. God is not bound by time or place and hes not turned off by our condition. God, you who met the Samaritan woman at the well that day. The Good Samaritan, then, was not a real person. fastest and most direct, though it required travelling through Samaria. Whether we feel called to evangelize as she does or we are called to use our gifts in other ways, her story reminds us that our callings are opportunities to turn personal growth in faith into action for the sake of others. From the fall of the rebellious northern kingdom of Israel, to a mixed idolatrous religion, to a people group hated by the Jews, the Samaritans had a rocky history. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. She is a literary agent atC.Y.L.E., the publicity manager atMountain Brook Ink, and a freelance editor withSherpa Editing Services. Abundant life can only be found in Him (John 10:10). The Samaritan woman is one of the better known women of the New Testament. Italian (Venetian School), 1470-1531 c. 1520-1530 Oil on canvas Gift of the Samuel H. Kress Foundation. Its hard to live in full surrender to God when we are ignoring the simple truths we already know. Jesus tackled the barriers against women by talking to her. He cannot be the Messiah, can he? (4:29). And boy, does he have a blessing for the ministry that women offer to help others. Who told you about Jesus? The well is still there and First, he spoke to her despite the fact that she was a woman. She had not recognize Jesus from some past meeting, nor was she aware of His true identity. Jacob's well was there; so Jesus, wearied as he was from his journey, was sitting beside the well. We submit our desires, gifts, talents, time, and money to Him (James 4:7). Jesus alone is the Living Water that fills our void. Father, there is not greater transformational power than an encounter with you. People in the world, like the Samaritan woman at the well, need to know the consequences of their sin. Jesus and the woman discussed their views on worship, and the woman voiced her belief that the Messiah was coming. It could have been that she wanted to come to the well to draw water when she knew she could do it alone. 1) Salvation comes only to those who recognize their desperate need for the spiritual life they do not have. Because of His magnificent sacrifice, our life should exalt His name (Matthew 5:16). HOW can you offer better water? In Jewish culture, Rabbis did not speak to women in public. But look deeper, and you'll realize it reveals a great deal about Jesus' character. She could also be a second wife, a role which was also socially acceptable but not considered of the same status as the first wife. When Jesus revealed himself as the Living Water to the woman at the well, his message was strikingly similar to his revelation as the Bread of Life: I am the bread of life. New International Version Jesus Talks With a Samaritan Woman 4 Now Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard that he was gaining and baptizing more disciples than John 2 although in fact it was not Jesus who baptized, but his disciples. What Does It Mean That "Your Life Is Hidden with Christ"? She was weary. No matter where you are or what you are doing, you can worship God whenever or wherever. Another of the characteristics of the Samaritan woman is about her spiritual condition. This was the case of the woman with the issue of blood. Imagine how freeing it must have been for her to find out that although she wasnt allowed in temple, she could still talk to God. Stuck in sin. But just as our growth in faith is not only for our own benefit, the Samaritan woman takes her new learning and is propelled into action around her calling. We have been given a command and commission from Jesus Himself to go and tell the world what He has done for them. Plus, he was talking to her without anyone else around! [1] For a more detailed examination of the historical record on women and marriage in this time period and the Samaritan womans story in particular see Women in the World of the Earliest Christians by Lynn Cohick (Baker Academic, 2009), 99-128.
