Read John 4:27-30
What Is Going On Here?
Just as Jesus revealed to the woman at the well that he was the Messiah, the disciples returned to him from their trip to town to buy food. They were surprised that he was talking to a woman because it was not culturally acceptable.
Upon hearing Jesus was the Messiah, the woman was so excited that she left her water jar and went back to her town and evangelized to the people telling them to come and see Jesus who knew everything about her and that he could be the Messiah. As a result, the people came out of the town to make their way to see this man Jesus.
I see a lot going on here and I’m trying to figure out who I relate with the most.
1. The life of the Samaritan woman was changed. She gathered water at noon to avoid the other women who came during the cool of the day. She was insecure, lacking confidence, and isolated herself from others. But after her encounter with Jesus, her life changed. Instead of isolating from others, she had a new perception of herself and a new purpose. Her water jar was no longer the most important thing to her. Evangelizing people about the Messiah became a priority in her life. With a new confidence and boldness, she went to the very people she isolated herself from. I call this a transformation that can only come from an encounter with Jesus.
2. The People: As a result of her transformation, the people responded to her message and we’re heading to see Jesus.
3. The disciples were learning a lesson that would one day change their lives. They saw Jesus breaking a cultural practice of not talking to a woman (especially a Samaritan woman). They wanted to question his authority but they didn’t. Instead they were about to witness the coming transformation of a town because of breaking one cultural practice.
Who do you relate with the most?
1. The woman who went from isolation to a woman of confidence and boldness, and with an evangelistic mind?
2. The disciples who were more concerned about cultural practices than DOING the work of Christ?
3. The crowd of people who heard the good news and wanted to pursue it 100% for their lives?
