Development

"It took me quite a long time to develop a voice, and now that I have it. I am not going to be silent." (Madeleine Albright)

Jesus did not consider females as second-class citizens (or property) as the men of His day viewed them. During His ministry on Earth, Jesus worked with (and spoke to) a variety of females of different ages (and life experiences).  I believe Jesus appreciated the honesty of women (as well as how they experienced the emotions of their life (through the tenderness of their heart). Let’s call the main nameless female in this biblical story that Jesus meets, “Raza.”[i]

Jesus knew the Pharisees (religious leaders) didn’t like Him. To be honest, they were jealous of Him and what His ministry was accomplishing. (Jealousy doesn’t look good on anyone.) On His very long walking journey from Judea to Galilee, Jesus decided to take a shortcut through Samaritan village of Sychar. What would have been an inconsequential l stop by the well of Jacob for rest and eventually refreshment would turn into an opportunity for an intense spiritual conversation with Raza. It was about noon as she came to the well to draw water.

At this point in the story, there are several things to mention about Raza. The Bible does not mention her age, any physical characteristics, or if she has children. She had an interest in Jesus, had been divorced five times, and for that reason has decided to live with her current male interest. Raza is coming by herself to get water at an irregular hottest time of day for this errand. Usually the women would come morning and evening to gather water at a well outside of town, and off a main road. This well was not spring-fed, but instead came from rain water and dew.[ii]

The Bible provides no answer as to why Raza wanted to avoid the other women. My guess is the women shunned her with her history of men (and marriage), maybe they were jealous of her, maybe Raza didn’t like their caddishness, or it could have been Raza was a prostitute, and that was a danger to the town women’s husbands. (It’s all a guess on my part.) Jesus was a Jew, and Raza was a Samaritan. The Jews in Judea did not agree. They considered the Samaritans to be a mongrel race and saw many problems with the way they practiced Judaism. This offended the Samaritans.[iii]

When Jesus asked for water, Raza knew he was a Jew (by his physical appearance or His fame had made it to Samaria). She was surprised Jesus was asking her for anything because of the animosity between these two groups of people, and (I believe) because she was a woman.

At this point in the story, Jesus starts to use one of His favorite literary techniques. It is known as an analogy, which “is saying something is like something else to make some sort of an explanatory point.”[iv]  Jesus begins to talk about the gift of God He wants to give to Raza of living water. While Jesus will continue using His metaphors while Raza is still thinking in the literal realm of her life, and what He is saying.

Raza proceeds to tell Jesus that He has no way to get the water. She wants to know how He can provide better quality water the founder of the well (Jacob) did for his people and animals. Jesus then proceeds to let Raza know her water won’t quench her thirst, but the water He gives will bubble up to eternal life. Raza wants water like this so she will never have to be thirsty, or have to make a trip to this well ever again.

When Jesus asks her to go get her husband, Raza says she has none. Jesus agrees, and verbatim tells her about her current romantic interest, and previous failed marriages. (Who wanted the divorce?) It doesn’t take long for Raza to realize that she was in the presence of a true Prophet (maybe the Messiah, who knows all).

Should she worship Him? Soon Raza forgot all about her purpose for going to the well (with her water bucket left). With newfound excitement, Raza ran back to the town to let everyone know what Jesus told her, and how it affected her just as the disciples returned with something for Jesus to eat.[v]

Philippians 4:19 (VOICE): Know this: my God will also fill every need you have according to His glorious riches in Jesus … Our heavenly Father always knows what we need better than we do ourselves. Isn’t it just possible that God needs you to meet someone that can have a positive influence on you as a person? That individual could be somewhere you rarely visit. No matter how minor the connection might be. There are no mistake chance meetings. God has it all planned out perfectly. Are you willing to be present when God needs you to be somewhere?[vi]

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[i] A.D. 30 by Ted Dekker (The name of a beloved camel in this novel was given to this unnamed lady.)

 

[ii] Life Application Bible (New International Version)

 

[iii] “Why the Conflicts Between the Jews and Samaritans” by JesusChrist

[iv] “What’s the Difference between Metaphor, Simile, and Analogy?” by MasterClass

[v] John 4:1-42

 

[vi] This topic was taught on in our 1/7/21/ online small group by Facilitator, Tom Critser.  I have incorporated some of his ideas into this post.