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a) Jesus leads the adulteress to repentance (John 4:1-26)
JOHN 4:1-6
1 Therefore when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John 2 (although Jesus himself didn’t baptize, but his disciples), 3 he left Judea, and departed into Galilee. 4 He needed to pass through Samaria. 5 So he came to a city of Samaria, called Sychar, near the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son, Joseph. 6 Jacob’s well was there. Jesus therefore, being tired from his journey, sat down by the well. It was about the sixth hour.
The evangelist calls Jesus ‘Lord’, He who reigns as King eternal over history. He punishes and shows grace. He guides them and judges. He saw his glory and honors him with this majestic title.
Pharisees had begun to mobilize, ready for battle. Christ’s preaching in Judea was a shining success. He called men to repent, confessing their sins, like the Baptist. It was as if he had taken over from the Baptist (though he did not himself baptize, but left this to his disciples). Jesus taught that water baptism was nothing but a symbol for Spirit-baptism. Yet his hour had not come, and he did not himself baptize.
When the Pharisaic opposition increased, Jesus departed north. He was living according to his Father’s plan. The time for open conflict with these legalists had not yet come. Jesus preferred to travel by way of the mountain country and enter Samaria, taking the short cut to Galilee.
These Samaritans were not a recognized group in the Old Testament, since they were a mixed multitude with some Israelite blood. When the Assyrians invaded Samaria in 722 BC, and exiled most of Abraham’s seed to Mesopotamia, they settled other groups in Samaria. Thus the mingling occurred, which also led to a fusing of beliefs.
Jesus came to Sychar near Shechem, the center for the original Patriarchs. It was also the place for Joshua’s covenant with the people and God (Genesis 12:6 and Joshua 8:30–35). There was an ancient well nearly, assumed to be Jacob’s (Genesis 33:19). Joseph’s bones were buried somewhere near Nablus (Joshua 24:32). This area became a historical focus in the Old Testament.
Jesus sat beside the well, tired out by the long trek and the heat of the noonday. He was a real man, weary and thirsty, not a phantom or a divine appearance in the form of a man – a human being with all the features of human frailty.
JOHN 4:7-15
7 A woman of Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.” 8 For his disciples had gone away into the city to buy food. 9 The Samaritan woman therefore said to him, “How is it that you, being a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a Samaritan woman?” (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.) 10 Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.” 11 The woman said to him, “Sir, you have nothing to draw with, and the well is deep. From where then have you that living water? 12 Are you greater than our father, Jacob, who gave us the well, and drank of it himself, as did his children, and his livestock?” 13 Jesus answered her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again, 14 but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never thirst again; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.” 15 The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water, so that I don’t get thirsty, neither come all the way here to draw.”
While Jesus was standing by the well, a Samaritan woman approached to draw water. She came not in the morning or evening like other women, but at noon. She did not wish to meet anyone; with her bad reputation she was scorned by all wherever she went. Jesus could discern her troubled heart from afar, and felt her thirst for cleansing. He decided to help her; He did not bring up the Ten Commandments, nor did he scold her, rather he simply asked for a drink; he regarded her as someone who could offer him a drink. But when she recognized him as Jewish she hesitated. For there was a gulf between her people and his. To the extent that neither side would touch the other’s utensils for fear of pollution. Jesus, however, behaved as if there was no ritual barrier between them, honoring her by his request.
Christ’s purpose was to arouse a hunger for God in this sinner. As the place was a well, it was fitting to talk about water. This awakened a desire in her for the gift of God. He set before her God’s love as an aim. It was not judgment awaiting her for perdition, but it was God’s gift prepared for her in grace. What a splendid miracle.
Grace does not come spontaneously from the wind but comes in the Person of Jesus alone. He is the giver of talents and divine graces. Still the woman saw him as an ordinary man. Christ’s glory was still concealed from her eyes, but his pure love shone clearly before her. He told her that living water was his possession. The heavenly drink that he offers quenches the soul’s thirst. People long for love and truth and wish to return to God. He who comes to Jesus quenches his thirst.
Jesus offers God’s gift to those who ask for it. We have to confess our need, just as Jesus expressed his need for water. Whoever will not bow his head and ask, will not receive heavenly water freely offered.
The woman failed to understand Jesus. She replied in practical terms, "You have no vessel to draw water and the well is deep, so how can you give me water?" At the same time she was perplexed as she experienced Jesus’ kindness and love. Unlike her neighbors he did not despise her. He was apart from her by majesty, but loved her in his holiness. Never had she met a man as pure as he was. So she asked, "Are you greater than our father Jacob? Do you plan to work a wonder and give us a new well?"
Jesus answered explaining that he did not have earthly water in mind, since whoever slakes his thirst bodily with natural water will thirst again. The body simply absorbs the water and disposes of it.
However, Jesus gives us living water, and quenches every spiritual thirst. Christians seek God and find Him. They are not philosophers reflecting on truth without reaching it. God has found them; they know Him in essence. His love always suffices us. His revelation never becomes tedious or out-of-date, but is ever springing, renewed daily limpid and refreshing knowledge of God is not just a thought, but power, life, light and peace. The Holy Spirit is God’s gift of heavenly water.
Three times Jesus repeats the affirmation that he alone is the giver of living water. No religion or party, no kinship or friendship can quench your soul’s thirst, only Jesus your Savior.
Whoever receives God’s gift is transformed. The thirsty one becomes a fountain of water overflowing to bless others, giving them grace, joy and love with other fruits of the Holy Spirit. Abiding in Christ we receive grace upon grace, becoming himself God’s gift to many.
The woman felt that Jesus was genuine in his conversation with her and no magician. She asked him for that living water. She confessed her need, but continued to think that Jesus was still speaking of earthly water. She imagined that receiving that water, she would no longer need to carry the pot on her head and mingle with those who despised her.
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, giver of living water. Quench our thirst for knowledge and love. Pardon our corruption; cleanse us from every stain, so that the Holy Spirit may descend on us, and abide with us for ever. May we become springs of water, that many may drink from the overflow of your Spirit, poured into our hearts. Teach us meekness, prayer, love and faith.
QUESTION:
- What is the gift that Jesus gives us? What are its qualities?