Preparation: John 4:1-42

Empty Of Prejudice

Wikipedia defines prejudice as, “a preconceived opinion based on race, social status, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age, disability, political a liation, religion, line of work or other personal characteristics.”
Prejudice is not a modern invention. It has been around since antiquity.
The Jews in Jesus’ day were extremely prejudiced against Samaritans. Who were the Samaritans? Quick history lesson: soon after King Solomon died, Israel was overrun by the powerful Assyrian army. Some Jews compromised themselves by intermarrying with the Assyrians and adopting their culture. Later on, when the Assyrian Empire fell, these traitors made the territory of Samaria their home. Orthodox Jews never forgave them, labeling the Samaritans as “half-breeds.”
Seven centuries later in Jesus’day, Samaria lay directly between Jerusalem (south) and Galilee (north). The animosity was still so strong that Jews traveling between Jerusalem and Galilee would go east, cross the Jordan River and walk fifty miles out of their way to avoid having to set foot in the territory of Samaria. Get the picture? This was racial hatred at its worst.
It’s interesting to note John 4:4 says that when Jesus was going home to Galilee, “He had to go through Samaria.” He had to. That wasn’t a geographic necessity but a spiritual mandate of His mission in His life. He came to seek and save the lost, and some lived in Samaria, too. Jesus loves all the same.
During Jesus’ journey through Samaria, He met a woman at Jacob’s well near Sychar. It was noon when Jesus and the disciples reached the valley of Shechem. Weary from His journey, He sat down by the well to rest while His disciples went to buy food. As Jesus waited, a local woman approached. She saw Jesus, but because of social protocol she didn’t speak to Him or even look His direction. After all, it was clear by Jesus’ skin tone He was a Jew, and she was both a woman and a Samaritan.
But Jesus crossed the boundary and spoke first: “I’m thirsty. Will you give me a drink?” I love the irony here. Jesus, the King of Heaven, creator of all things, the one who made the oceans, made Himself dependent upon a stranger’s kindness for a drink of water. That’s just a glimpse of the sacrifice He made when He came from Heaven to earth.
Caught off guard, this woman replied: “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” I love Jesus’ answer. It was a play on words as He used the phrase, “gift of God.” He said, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked Him and He would have given you Living Water,” (not well water, but the Water of Life that flows down from Heaven).
She sized Jesus up and pointed out the obvious: “Sir, the well is deep—you have no rope or bucket. Where are you getting this living water?” All she could see was a thirsty Jew. She missed the divine presence sitting before her. Do you ever do this? Do you get so hung up on the physical you miss the supernatural presence of God in your life?
After more conversation, Jesus zeroed in on her thirsty soul and said: “Go call your husband and come back.” Out of embarrassment, she quickly responded: “I have no husband.” That wasn’t a surprise to Jesus: “You are right, but you have had five husbands and the man you are living with now is not your husband.”
She was stunned! It was like Jesus had somehow read her life biography. And He had, sort of. God knows everything about us. Suddenly she felt vulnerable because this stranger had exposed her shame, so she blurted out, “You must be a prophet.”
Ding, ding, ding! We have a winner! The light bulb came on when she finally realized this conversation had nothing to do with the flesh. It was of the spirit. It had nothing to do with wetting Jesus’ whistle, but everything to do with filling her empty life with the flood of life, hope, purity and grace that comes when God moves in you.
There was more conversation between them, but in the end, Jesus’ kindness, concern and love changed this woman’s heart forever. And she passed it on to others in her community, excitedly inviting them to come meet Jesus. That’s the least a redeemed person should do, right?
I want to leave you with this thought: did you notice how many Samaritan people the twelve disciples managed to witness to that day? Remember, Jesus sent them into the town to buy food. We don’t know what happened for sure, but it’s pretty clear they managed to score some bread without ever bothering to pass out any Bread of Life.
You see, when the Disciples returned and found Jesus tearing down the walls of prejudice by ministering to this despised woman, they were disturbed. They were shocked and almost offended by Jesus lowering Himself to her level. (to continue reading, go to my comment below.)