Last week, we began looking at a narrative in the Gospel of John. Specifically, we are interested in studying the text at deeper levels. If you missed the first post, find it here. I will attempt to forego repeating myself. For that reason, I would encourage you to review the previous post.
A woman from Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.” (For his disciples had gone away into the city to buy food.) The Samaritan woman said to him, “How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a woman of Samaria?” (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.)
Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is saying to you, “Give me a drink,” you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.”
The woman said to him, “Sir, you have nothing to draw water with, and the well is deep. Where do you get that living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob? He gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did his sons and livestock.”
In order to tackle this portion of the text, I want to do so by observing; 1) the distinction between Samaria and Judea; 2) the idea of living water; and 3) the limitations of a narrow vision.
The Distinction between Samaria and Judea
I said a few words about this divide between the people groups in the last post. But let me say a few more here. If you are interested in the history of Samaria, which lends to the hatred between Jews and Samaritans, I would encourage you to do your own study. There are many fascinating things about the history between the people groups. But it’s way too much to cover here. Suffice it to say, although the Jews and Samaritans come from the same family tree, the “branches” are much different.
During the time which the Gospel writer records, Samaria is a region between Galilee in the North and Judah in the South. Those living in Samaria were considered spiritually unclean by Jews. In other words, interaction with Samaritans would prevent a devout Jew from worshipping God until they were restored spiritually. If you’re thinking that would be a process, you’re exactly right! It would be devastating to Jews intent on remaining religiously pure. This, of course, led the disciples to “marvel” (see verse 27) that Jesus was speaking with a woman, specifically a Samaritan woman.
Remember, however, the Gospel is for all people - Jew and Gentile alike. In other words, the Gospel writer records Jesus had to pass through Samaria (v 4) intentionally. He “had to” for the woman’s sake and perhaps for the sake of the disciples. She needed a relationship instead of religion. The disciples needed to understand the Gospel and Messiah at a deeper level.
Living Water
At first glance, this phrase seems strange, especially for those of us in the West. How might water live? The Samaritan woman had her own preconceived barriers, as well. Her question: How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a woman of Samaria?”
She must have been taken aback by a Jewish man being at the well at noon. *More about that in a future post.* Secondly, he spoke to her. That must have been unusual. The Gospel writer includes a parenthetical note for us, describing the divide between the people groups. Finally, Jesus goes so far as to ask her for a drink. So it’s not that Jesus is content to be considered ceremonially unclean, he’s content three times over!
His response begins with the phrase “gift of God.” In the woman’s mind, there was nothing greater than the well of Jacob. After all, Jacob was her ancestor and provided the well. But Jesus proposes to take her faith from a patriarch to the God of patriarchs. If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you … he would have given you living water. In other words, she’s still focused on the cultural gap between Jew and Samaritan. Jesus is interested in her soul. Again, more about this later.
Limitations of a Narrow Vision
With similarities to the John 3 text and Jesus conversing with the Pharisee Nicodemus, the Samaritan woman was intent on seeing through her physical eyes. In other words, she hears what Jesus says, but is defining his words literally. Know anyone who reads all of Scripture that way? Try reading Daniel or Revelation the way you read the Gospels. It might cause some confusion.
Sir, you have nothing to draw with. and the well is deep. Where do you get that living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob? …
God’s gift is greater than Jacob’s gift. Rabbis in antiquity often referred to the Torah as God’s supreme gift. As far as water, life requires it for sustenance. The gift to which Jesus alludes is spiritual water. Want life? This spiritual water is better than any spring water you’ve ever had. In fact, it redefines life!
I’m reminded of Jesus’ teaching on the mountain. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. (Matthew 5.6)
It seems water - the water Jesus provides - leads to life. It might even be abundant life.