Introduction
Engaging someone would lead to being able to connect with the person. John included 2 conversations in John 3 and 4 to show us the kind of believers that Jesus was looking for, the sort of people he would accept. Jesus did not accept everyone who entrusted himself to him, for instance in John 2:23-24 we note that Jesus did not just accept whoever claimed to believe in his name. Those people had false faith as believed in Jesus because of his miracles alone. They had no conviction to the faith and did on believe based on who Jesus is and what he has done.
What kind of a person was this woman of Samaria?Â
We notice that this woman’s name was not mention in the passage. She had gone to draw water in the afternoon when it was hot while she could have done it earlier when it was cooler. It also seemed like she was the only one there that Jesus easily ask her for a drink. She was also alone, not in a group as woman usually go with companions. This timing and action of hers was quite unusual, and perhaps is explained in John 4:16-18. Having five husbands was quite a big deal in that day (as much as it is not something very common today). Woman then needed to be married for security and stability; if you were not married; you would in a sense ‘lose out’. Town people probably avoided her for that reason, though possibly she still held hope (John 4:25). The equivalent of such a character today would be someone perceived as a social outcast, a person who is weird, which we do not want to associate with.
How did Jesus deal with such a woman?
Jesus had offered her something she could not refuse (John 4:10). The woman thought that if she had ‘living water’, she would not have to come to the well everyday, and there was probably no need to stand the stares. Jesus’ request was very extraordinary as it was strange for a Jewish man to speak to a Samaritan woman (even his disciples were shocked) John 4:9 cites that Jews do not associate with Samaritans (refer to 2 Kings 17), they did not even want to go through Samaria to reach a certain destination, instead, they make a round to reach it. However, John 4:4 seems to suggest that Jesus had intention to pass through Samaria. Jesus spoke to her by using a simple request.
The offer of living water
Jesus used ‘living water’ so the woman could be interested, he associated ‘living water’ from water and then linked it to what he had to offer (eternal life). John 4:11 suggests that the women did not understand what Jesus was saying. She was interested in living water as physical water, something ordinary not extraordinary. (Note that we might err in this ourselves when we deal with theological concepts like “sinners”. We should be conveying the seriousness of it instead of treating it very simply) The woman had took pride in Jacob’s well. Samaritans took pride in Jacob as his well was in their land. Note that Jesus answered indirectly to the woman’s question of whether he was greater than Jacob was (John 4:13-14). Essentially, Jesus was offering himself (whoever has the son, has life). However, John 4:15 shows that the woman still did not get it, she could not rid the physical interpretation and grasp fully what the living water is about.
Likewise, it is harder for us to convey this special thing to others, to tell them about a spiritual reality. (A hunger/thirst) Do we understand the spiritual reality we are presenting? Are we guilty of presenting an attractive spiritual reality (an excitement)? We should realize that something like eternal life cannot be explained by the categories of this world. Do we find the life that God offers much more satisfying than what the world has to offer?
Jesus did not stop the conversation there. He ended off the ‘living water’ conversation by John 4:16 telling her to ask her husband to come. Notice that the woman’s replies in John 4:17 were shorter and less talkative, Jesus seemed to have touched a nerve. However, John 4:17-18 showed that Jesus was sensitive in his speech and did not condemn her. We should keep this in mind with social misfits and be careful about saying ‘you should haves..’ and creating a guilt. Jesus had raised the husband issue (God is all knowing!), as he could turn the conversation to Himself. John 4:19 showed the woman probably not distressed from her immoral living as she became aware of whom Jesus was. Through John 4:21-24 Jesus also raised that the place of worship was not so important (no need for Jews and Samaritan argument) rather, it was the essence of worship. That is, worship is not “where?” as we do not go to church to worship but we go to church for a worship. John 4:23 states to worship in spirit and truth. God is spirit (John 4:24), thus worship has to be an activity that is sprit-directed. Therefore, worship is not a particular place, but something we do. John 4:26 possibly came as a shock and delight to the women, as the conversation (centering upon living water and Jesus revealing who he is) concluded. Jesus did not receive a drink in the end though.
John 4:28-29 showed the woman wanted to proclaim who Jesus was in spite of what people might think of her(note her identity). John 4:42 showed the testimony of the town people. Note though, that Jesus had not done miracles with them, but the Samaritans had not so much reluctance in accepting the truth.
Conclusion
Jesus accepted people into the family because they believed who he is, Jesus wants us to believe. After all, the gospel is the good news to those who feel unworthy of his word.
Lessons and Applications to Engaging and Evangelizing to people
- How do we initiate and sustain the conversation
- Prepare to understand the person (his thinking and heart) to tell an unchanging message to the person (Jesus’ approach was not standardized. We are interested in the individual, not a standard approach to the masses. )
- Who do you think Jesus is and what is your response to the things he has done? (give people a better grasp of the gospel)
- Don’t avoid certain people, Jesus’ ministry was to all sorts of people from all walks of life
- Don’t just share your testimony, preach the gospel!
- Do not keep the gospel to yourself, share it!
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