Please Read John Chapter 4 before continuing.
If you have RealAudio you can listen to it here.
Jesus was left alone at a well while his disciples went to find food.
Along comes a Samaritan woman - long standing enemies of the Jews, to draw water.
To her amazement Jesus strikes up a conversation with her. Under normal circumstances a rabbi would never talk to a woman alone, talk less a Samaritan woman.
In His conversation with the Samaritan woman Jesus prompted the woman to ask Him certain questions which were relevant to her spiritual well being.
As we follow the dialogue between Jesus and the Samaritan woman we can observe the questions and statements she made and learn things about our own spiritual condition from the answers she received.
Below are seven questions she asked. Strictly speaking some of these are statements or observations rather than questions, but the essence of what was implied by them is what I am attempting to extract.
Question 1
How is it that you being a Jew, ask a drink from me, a Samaritan woman (verse 9)?
This question, translated to our day and age would go something like this - why does God bother to help me. I'm an unworthy person, I have failed miserably.
Answer - It is the gift of God. God's unmerited favour. He blesses you because he chooses to (verse 10). Never forget that (Ephesians 2:8).
Question 2
Sir, you have nothing to draw water with, the well is deep where then do you get that living water (verse 11)?
This question for us would go:
How can God ever help me out of this mess. I have made a mess of my life and there is no way out.
Answer - The water of life you drink is sufficient for all your needs. As you spend time with me and allow the Holy Spirit to saturate you, nothing will be impossible (verses 13-14).
Question 3
Sir, give me this water that I may not thirst, nor come here to draw again (verse 15)?
This question for us would go:
Jesus deliver me now and give me the answer to my prayer. I don't want to worry or bother you about this again. Answer me and I will go away. All I want from you is the answer to my prayer not a relationship.
Answer - "Go call your husband" (verse 16). I want to bless other people through you my child. Not just you. I want to meet more than your immediate need. Bring the problem to me and stay in my presence.
Question 4
I have no husband (verse 17).
The question to us would go:
I want my needs met Lord. I don't want to bless others now. Besides, I have no other needs that are more important than this one.
Answer - Jesus starts to reveal the root of your problem to you as you are forced to linger in His presence.
We can get so absorbed with our current minor difficulties that we loose sight of the bigger picture of what God is doing.
Question 5
I perceive you are a prophet (verse 19).
What we might say today - We perceive God is great and almighty. He is something we admire from afar but we are not able to draw near to.
Answer- You don?t know me. I am more concerned about you than you know. The problem you are facing now is not the issue. The root of your problem is what I want to address.
I will bring you to a place where you will appreciate the authority, grace and privilege that is yours because of my sacrifice for you. I am the Lord. (verse 22).
Question 6
I know the Messiah is coming. When He comes He will teach us all things (verse 25).
This question would go - Lord I believe you will answer my prayer one day.
Answer - I am the Life and the answer to all your needs. I am here now. You do not need to wait for me to answer your prayers. I am the answer. Receive me by faith.
Question 7
Come see a man who told me all the things that I ever did (verse 29)?
Translated today, this statement represents us touching a little of Christ, being filled a new with His love and going out with joy to tell others about Jesus.
Those that know Jesus talk about Him.
Jesus' Answer - See John 4: 34-38. Jesus stresses the need for evangelism. The end result of this encounter with Christ is souls coming to a saving knowledge of Jesus.
Closing Prayer
Lord Jesus, grant me deeper and fuller understanding of who you are.
Make my life a living testimony that will bring others to the knowledge of your saving grace.