Jesus has been in Jerusalem.
- Celebrating the Passover Feast. Many miracles done in Jerusalem.
- Cleansing of the Temple. Private interview with Nicodemus, a Pharisee.
- The masses recognized Jesus; the religious leaders were jealous and offended.
- Jesus leaves southern Israel, called Judah, and heads back home to Capernaum, his adopted base of operations. Capernaum is in northern Israel.
I. The Giver of the Gift
A. Give Me a Drink. V.7
1. The Eternal Word
a. Jesus was in the beginning w/God b/c He was God. 1:1-3
b. He created all things.
Col 1:16, 17 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.
c. The 60 miles of ground from Jerusalem to Samaria, He created.
d. The stones around the well, He created.
e. Mt. Gerazim, He created
f. The water in the well, He created.
g. The woman at the well, He created.
2. The Word Became Flesh 1:14
a. The Creator became like one of His created beings.
b. Phil 2:6,7 who, though he was God, did not demand and cling to his rights as God, but laid aside his mighty power and glory,
He got tired and thirsty when He walked.
Because of fatigue, He once slept in a boat during a storm.
He was dependent upon others to meet His needs.
He could have spoken to the water, and commanded it to come up from the well.
Jesus had done many miracles already.
He would do many more, for the sake of the people.
He would bless bread and fish, and feed thousands.
He would speak to the wind and waves, and calm the storm.
He would call out to a dead man in a tomb, and bring him back.
c. But He would not use his power and glory for Himself.
When temped by the Devil in the wilderness, to turn stones to bread, and feed Himself, He would not.
When on the cross, and being mocked by the religious leaders….
Come down off of the cross, save yourself, and we will believe…
He could have come down off the cross, but He didn’t.
In His incarnation, Jesus subjected Himself to the will of the Father.
He came not to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.
e. 2 Corinthians 8:9 that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.
II. Who the Gift is For
A. If you knew…you would have asked Him. V.10
1. It was important for this woman to know who Jesus was, she would have asked Him.
2. Then she would know the giver of the gift.
3. Then she could ask for the gift.
4. She saw Him simply as a tired, thirsty, Jewish traveler. He was much more.
5. Nicodemus saw Him as a rabbi from God, who could do miracles. He was much more.
6. Jesus Desired to Make Himself Known. He still desires that.
7. John 20:31 But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
B. How is it that you… v.9
1. The woman felt unqualified.
Profile of the Samaritans
721 B.C., the northern kingdom was conquered and 27,000 Israelites were carried away to Babylon.
As Israel was forced to vacate, many other conquered nations occupied.
Samaria became a melting pot of races and cultures.
Intermarriages between other nations and the remaining Jews.
Introduction of paganism, idolatry mixed with worship of Jehovah and a liberal following of the law of Moses.
Because of idolatry, mixed marriages between Jews and pagans, Samaria was refused permission in rebuilding the Temple in Jerusalem, which was under the leadership of Nehemiah and Ezra.
Because they were excluded from assisting in the temple rebuilding, they built their own Temple on Mt. Gerezim, brought in a renegade Jewish priest, and set up their own form of Judaism.
This caused great hatred between the Jews and the Samaritans.
The Feelings of That Day
When Jews traveled north from Jerusalem to Galilee, they wouldn’t pass thru Samaria.
They would travel north by way of the Jordan Valley, going up on the east side of the Jordan, or travel along the Mediterranean Coast, in order to avoid going thru Samaria.
In addition, it was hilly land, and hard to travel through.
The Jews put forth great effort to avoid passing through Samaria.
But Jesus had to pass thru Samaria, for He had an appointment to fulfill.
Socially According To Jewish Culture (Not Biblical Command)
Jews wouldn’t speak to Samaritans.
Rabbis wouldn’t speak to women in public, not even his own wife.
2. Not only did she feel unqualified racially. She had a very questionable personal life.
Women looked down upon in that day.
Five divorces, & now a live-in boyfriend. Probably older, based on the # of relationships.
At the well at noon, possibly felt uncomfortable w/ other women early in the morning.
Notice v. 28. The first place she goes to is the men.
Maybe not too many women friends
Jesus broke all the social rules of the day in talking to her
Jesus confronted her about her sinful life.
Luke 15:2 And the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying, “This Man receives sinners and eats with them.”
3. The Gospel message is for all.
If you are thirsty for the gift of God, you qualify.
Not a racial message.
Not a political message.
Not a social message, like many special interest groups, and even many churches.
4. It is an eternal message.
The most important message we could ever tell anyone.
It is the message that caused Jesus to laid aside his glory.
It is the message that Jesus died to give to us, make available for us.
III. What is the Gift?
A. It’s Characteristics
1. In You
Something we carry about in our hearts.
Inseparable from our being, no one can take it away.
Situation cannot take it away.
Broken relationships cannot take it away.
Tragedy cannot take it away. Death can not take it away.
How many seek to be fulfilled by that which can change, and be taken away.
2. Springing Up
Not stagnant, but springing up with life. Not like a cistern, but like a spring.
Divine in its source, and so divine in it’s power.
Much greater than what man can put into Himself.
Not depending upon human strength or ingenuity to make it work.
Not dependent upon situations in life.
Can never be conquered by the trials of life, for it is greater than the trials of life.
Able to give its possessor hope and joy in the worst of circumstances.
3. Eternal
Can never be taken away.
Not temporary, but permanent.
Has its origin in heaven.
As water rains down upon the earth, flows to the sea, but must evaporate and find its way back to its source….
So it is with the gift of God.
Originating from heaven, and taking its possessor back to it place of origin.
Back to the heavenlies from where it came.
B. What Is The Gift? Turn to John 1:10-14
1. It Is Christ Himself
2. It Is Christ In You
3. It Is Eternal Life With Jesus Christ
C. The Result In The Woman’s Life
1. Formerly bold in sin, now bold in witness of Jesus.
2. Many came to Christ because of her testimony. v.39, 41
3. Philip, a deacon in the early church, opened a mission in Samaria (Acts 8:5).
Great revival, and a strong work of God, happened in Samaria.
John 7:37-38 NKJV “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. {38} “He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”