Jesus subordinated eating to doing the will of God. Thus, our Lord is saying that men can only worship through the ministry of the Holy Spirit, who facilitates spiritual worship. This means that semantically the action of “going” is commanded, just as “making disciples” is. This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven!” (Genesis 28:16-17, NKJV). She has something He needs—water. These heathen intermarried with the remaining Israelites resulting in a nation of half-breeds, a most distasteful and evil thing for a devout Jew (see Ezra 9 and 10; Nehemiah 13). Why do we go after those whom we suppose to have position and power, thinking they will bring more to Christ? Thus, the place is not so essential as the “spirit” in which worship is conducted. I say again, you divert YOUR course. Jesus said that Mary had made the better choice. Why do so many Christians today (of those who do attempt to evangelize) seem to fix their attention and focus their efforts on the “Nicodemuses” of our time? The first thing the Samaritan woman does is to “go” to those who are lost in her home town. Is this not exactly what the Apostle Paul taught? 29 And I say this, brothers and sisters: the time is short. More from This Artist Similar Designs. This goes for the women you’re dating as well as the other people in your life. When Ben Azzai suggested that women be taught the Law for certain purposes R. Eliezer replied: ‘If any man gives his daughter a knowledge of the Law it is as though he taught her lechery’ (Sot. Jesus does not answer the question about being greater than Jacob quite yet. He further adds, “Josephus says that it was the custom of the Galileans to pass through Samaria when they went up to Jerusalem for the feasts (Ant. Jesus is tired and remains there while His disciples go into town to buy food. Others regard them as means, manner, or even result. Trucks and combines are brought in, and the fields are harvested within hours. Nicodemus is willing to acknowledge that Jesus is “a teacher who has come from God” (3:2); yet he falls a little short of actually saying that Jesus is a prophet. 185 If the woman at the well is to come to a saving faith, she must change her course, just as Jesus required of Nicodemus. https://celebratewomen.yale.edu/history/timeline-women-yale Jesus was tired and sat at a well while His disciples went into town to buy food. (3) Our Lord fulfilled His mission, but He has given us the task of proclaiming the gospel to a lost world before He returns. Who would have ever imagined how little Nicodemus would do for the kingdom of God, and how much God would use this Samaritan woman? 21 For since in the wisdom of God, the world by its wisdom did not know God, God was pleased to save those who believe by the foolishness of preaching. Is this not also evident on less frequent occasions, when a husband and wife voluntarily agree to abstain from sexual relations, so that they can devote themselves to prayer (see 1 Corinthians 7:5)? Once again, our Lord’s response to His disciples’ prodding is not what we expect. ), 9 So the Samaritan woman said to him, “How can you—a Jew—ask me, a Samaritan woman, for water to drink?” (For Jews use nothing in common with Samaritans.). But it was not yet time for our Lord to take on the Pharisees. Nicodemus does ask questions, but there seems to be little progress toward genuine faith, at least so far. I believe all this happens within hours, not only for this woman, but for the people of Sychar as well. The worship God finds acceptable is not Samaritan worship, nor is it Pharisaical worship (see Luke 18:9-14). It is not just eating physical food that sustains us; it is doing the will of God. Our Lord’s answer is far from what this woman expects to hear. 26 Think about the circumstances of your call, brothers and sisters. Think of how she must feel about herself. One cannot help but be reminded of Abraham’s servant, who asks Rebekah for a drink of water at a well in Paddan-aram (Genesis 24:11f.). The third thing which puts the “woman at the well” at a disadvantage is the fact that she is a woman. Thus we see the question and the parenthetical remark: “How can you—a Jew—ask me, a Samaritan woman, for water to drink?” (For Jews use nothing in common with197 Samaritans.) But the Gospels also record times when Jesus had personal conversations with individuals—moments that would change their lives forever. Before long, women made up one third of the total workforce in the metal and chemical industries, as well as in ship-building and vehicle manufacture. It was also at a well that Jacob first met Rachel (Genesis 29). Isn’t this more than Nicodemus was willing to grant? The real test of men’s faith and obedience to God comes in the midst of adversity and affliction. Harvest time has come. The “fields are already white for harvest.”208. It was at this well that Jesus sat down to rest. Eliezer And Rebecca At The Well Painting. 185 Just to be clear, I consider the Pharisaism of Nicodemus to be a corruption of true Judaism also. Luke 17:35 (YLT) two women shall be grinding at the same place together, the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left; Commentaries For Luke 17 ... to be very humble in thanksgivings, as well as in prayers. After they leave, the Samaritan woman arrives, and a conversation begins which John records for us. When Jesus tells him that he will not make it into the kingdom of God as he is—without being reborn from above—he seems to try to get Jesus to change His course rather than to change his own. If eating interferes with doing the will of God, eating must be set aside, not obedience to God. The Jews were inclined to hold a very demeaning view of women.195 The disciples seem to embrace this view.196 They cannot fathom why Jesus would be “wasting His time” talking to a woman. No wonder there is no time for lunch. Get our Questions of the Week delivered right to your inbox! Seeking salvation apart from the Jews is wrong. It seems as though this woman (and perhaps the Samaritans more generally) took pride in claiming Jacob as their forefather. When the Jews of the Southern Kingdom of Judah were later taken captive by the Babylonians, they were allowed to maintain their racial and religious identity. This whole matter needs to be given more careful thought in the light of our text. She makes a choice—not an unusual choice, but a very predictable one. This does not mean that they had the same ministry role that Paul had. The woman at the well comes to see Jesus as much more than this, as we soon shall see. Notice that in the verses that follow, Jesus does not answer this question. The “woman at the well” is a Samaritan, and Samaritans have their own distinct religion—a corruption of the Jewish faith.185 If the woman at the well is to come to a saving faith, she must change her course, just as Jesus required of Nicodemus. 2 Chronicles 33:12-24 By talking openly with this woman, Jesus crossed a number of barriers which normally would have separated a Jewish teacher from such a person as this woman of Samaria. At The Well Painting. 18 For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. Investigate carefully and you will see that no prophet comes from Galilee!” 53 And each one departed to his own house (John 7:50-53, emphasis mine). For he gave us this well and drank from it himself, along with his sons and his livestock.”, 13 Jesus replied, “Everyone who drinks some of this water will be thirsty again. Gospel of John Sermon Series (week one) Water to Wine; That Family Show: Episode Eight - Marvel vs DC; Critter Minute: The Great Salamander Hunt; Finding Daily Purpose by Beth Gianopulos; February 18. 25 The woman said to him, “I know that Messiah199 is coming (the one called Christ). He is now the mediator between heaven and earth. I wonder what we are willing to do without so that the gospel can be shared with those who are lost and destined for an eternity in hell? 35-year-old Tigga became the first Indian woman, who is a mother of two, to become a jawan in the Indian Army. Instead of speaking of literal food, He talks of spiritual “food.” Our Lord’s response to His disciples sets down some very important principles, principles which not only governed His life and ministry, but which should guide His disciples as well—and we are to be included among such “disciples.”. Jesus Himself claims to be “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). I don’t remember any self-respecting Jew boasting about being a descendant of Jacob, but only of being Abraham’s offspring (see Matthew 3:9). What can we learn from the woman at the well? Bob was born and raised in a Christian home i... More, Lesson 21: The Bible Is Unique In Its Story, That You Might Believe: A Study of the Gospel of John. The more Jesus tells Nicodemus about Himself and His teaching, the more uneasy Nicodemus becomes. Was it not due to the hardness of heart and unbelief of the Jews that the gospel came to the Gentiles? 1. “This is the transcript of an ACTUAL radio conversation of a US naval ship with Canadian authorities off the coast of Newfoundland in October, 1995. This also serves to contrast the woman’s arrival with that of Nicodemus, who came to Jesus at night. Americans: This is the Captain of a US Navy ship. I disagree. Do we realize how short the time may be? 187 “Although some take the impersonal verb dei' (dei, ‘had to’) here to indicate logical necessity only, normally in John’s Gospel its use involves God’s will or plan (3:7, 14, 30; 4:4, 20, 24; 9:4; 10:16; 12:34; 20:9).” NET Bible study note on verse 4. She thinks Jesus is telling her that He can give her better water than that which this well provides. The woman does not understand what Jesus is saying, but she does understand that He is claiming to be someone important, and to have something she would want if she knew who He was and what He could give her. Jesus does not explain how He can ask to drink water from her cup. Would you not love to have witnessed this conversation, especially the words spoken in these two verses? Men cannot worship God any way they choose (as the Samaritans did by limiting the Old Testament to the five books of the law); men can only worship God in accordance with what He has divinely revealed in His Word. And the man she is now living with is not her husband. The twelve were with him, 8:2 as well as some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, 8:3 and Joanna, the wife of Herod's steward Chuza, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their resources. Many of Jesus’ most well-known moments on Earth took place among large crowds. We should move from these matters to the deeper issues of sin and of salvation. If this woman was married and divorced five times, then five men divorced her.194 This woman was “put away” five times. In part 2 of our three-week series, we’re … It may also be that the disciples have been waiting to eat until Jesus can eat with them. John does not tell us the disciples are shocked to find Jesus talking to this Samaritan woman because she is a Samaritan, or because she is sinful (they don’t know this). The whole city begins to make its way out to the well, along with the woman. 232; Vita 269).” D. A. Carson, The Gospel According to John (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1991), p. 216. Canadians: No. ... Loads of great advice mate. Salvation is “of the Jews.” If Samaritans wish to be saved, they must forsake their system of religion and turn to a salvation that is “of the Jews.” It is “of the Jews” in that the Messiah is a Jew. 37 Then when a woman of that town, who was a sinner, learned that Jesus was dining at the Pharisee’s house, she brought an alabaster flask of perfumed oil. … There is no Old Testament reference to his having dug a well there, but there is nothing improbable about it.” Morris, p. 257. 200 Literally, the Greek text reads, “I am, the One speaking to you.” The “I am” is almost certainly tied to the “I am” of John 8:58, which the Jews understood to be a reference to Exodus 3:14. I am going to pass by verse 27 and pick it up when we see our Lord dealing with His disciples. Radio conversation released by the Chief of Naval Operations 10-10-95. Notice the elements of this revelation. More from … Women were forced into sexual slavery; the Imperial Japanese Army forced hundreds of thousands in Asia to become comfort women, before and throughout World War II. Martha objected to the fact that she had to work while Mary sat and listened. She would gladly make this her last trip to Jacob’s well in the heat of the day. Ultimately, this decision is based upon who they believe Jesus to be. Now, Jesus shows her that she has need of “water” that will cleanse her of sin. The Corinthians were not willing to miss a meal, so they insisted on eating “meats offered to idols” (1 Corinthians 8-10). It is the gospel which changes all this: 26 For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God through faith. The Word of God consistently challenges us to redeem the time, for our time is short. That is why she comes out to Jacob’s well. $17. Let us revisit the story, as though we are looking at it for the first time. Jesus’ words not only call the woman’s attention to her sins; they call our attention to the sins of the men of that city. Nicolas Poussin. Who was Anna the prophetess in the Bible. Bob is a pastor/teacher and elder at Community Bible Chapel in Richardson, Texas, and has contributed many of his Bible study series for use by the Foundation. She makes the connection between our Lord’s words about worshipping “in spirit and truth” and the promised Messiah. Who came to the North to avoid a collision was tired she reasons from what this woman seem to her! $ 25 the salvation of men ’ s view of women, as the Messiah, as Jesus. And Jesus has left186 Judea and returned to Galilee, He simply tells her that it two women at the well Lord... 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