Anchor My Faith

Jesus Did the Unthinkable

Scripture: John 4:5-8

With this lesson we begin a new section of travel along our gospel path. In our last lesson we concluded that Jesus left Judea and departed for Galilee by way of Samaria. When traveling from Judea to Galilee, most Jews would choose a longer route that would take them around Samaria because of their dislike of the Samaritans and their desire to avoid them. The Samaritans were Jews that had earlier in history married people of another race who had settled in the area of Samaria. This intermarriage created a people group that was considered ceremonially unclean and racially impure by the true Jew and were to be avoided. To understand this, consider the fact that back in the early history of the United States, whites and blacks would not drink from the same drinking fountain or use the same restrooms.

“So [Jesus] came to a town of Samaria called Sychar, near the field that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. Jacob’s well was there; so Jesus, wearied as he was from his journey, was sitting beside the well. It was about the sixth hour” (John 4:5 – 6 ESV). We find Jesus, wearied from traveling, sits down on the stone ring around the opening to the well to rest. This well was located at the juncture of major ancient roads and near the traditional sacred site of Joseph’s tomb. The probable location of this well lies in modern Nablus, which is 26 miles east of Tel Aviv, Israel, 68 miles west of Amman, Jordan and 39 miles north of Jerusalem.

The fact that Jesus was wearied from his journey underscores his humanity. This humanity is also expressed at other times. For example, in John 11:35 (ESV): “Jesus wept.” and in John 19:28 (ESV): “After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), “I thirst.”’ Like us, Jesus could get tired, cry at times and get thirsty.

It was about noon, the sixth hour and “A woman from Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.” (For his disciples had gone away into the city to buy food.)” (John 4:7 – 8 ESV). As you look carefully at these two verses what observations can you make? It is the time of the day when the sun would be hot and travelers would be hot, tired, thirsty and hungry. It is unusual that a woman would come at that time to draw water. They would come early in the morning or evening when it was cooler. We know this from Genesis 24:11 (ESV): “And he made the camels kneel down outside the city by the well of water at the time of evening, the time when women go out to draw water.” Coming by herself during the heat of the day would indicate that she is despised by other women and wants to be there alone.

Jesus sent all of the disciples away to buy food leaving him alone at the well. He sat on the edge of the well and as the woman came to the well to draw water, he takes the initiative to asked her for a drink. This is an astonishing break with culture and tradition as Samaritan woman are to be avoided by Jews. Jesus looks beyond what is expected and does the unthinkable of pursuing a relationship with this woman who is considered to be of little to no value and is to be avoided. A powerful example of this is the documentary “Veil of Tears” (See official movie trailer). All people are created by God in his image and even though fallen they all have value in his eyes. It is our responsibility to approach each person as a possible choice God has made for salvation. “For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him” (John 3:17 NASB). We must not forget that and as Jesus opens conversation with this woman his desire is for her to respond spiritually. The question is, will she?

Prayer

Lord, your conversation with an undesirable about spiritual things sets an example for us to share your love with those we are uncomfortable with. Father, I find this similar to loving my enemy and offering forgiveness for my mistreatment. How do we love and forgive those who persecute us, even if they might take the life of a family member? Father, I know from my study of persecution that my brothers and sisters of eastern countries understand this much better than we do. I pray your blessing on them.