Series: Behind The Scenes: Forgotten Women of the Bible
LOST TO FOUND
Introduction
Focus: Samaritan Woman
Scripture: John 4:1-30; 39-42 / January 24, 2016
1. Story: Douglas Corrigan. Landed in Dublin – but intended to land in California. But
didn’t know he was going the wrong way. Pegged: “Wrong Way Corrigan”; people
became fascinated with someone who was lost – but who didn’t know he was lost. As
we enter our scripture text, Jesus is fascinated by someone who is lost – but who didn’t
know he was lost. In this case it’s “a she,” the Samaritan woman – who clearly was
flying in the wrong direction in life, but didn’t realize she was flying in the wrong
direction. I mean overall, the Samaritan woman is both clueless and cocky. Clueless –
in that she shows no remorse, initially, for her checkered marital life. Why “…you have
had five husbands” Jesus points out “…and the man you now have is not your
husband…” (John 4:18). But she’s also cocky. Why when Jesus attempts to connect
with the Samaritan woman, the Samaritan woman “pushes back.” “Will you give me a
drink?” Jesus asks. “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman” the woman retorts.
“How can you ask me for a drink? (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans).” (John
4:9)
2. And so initially the Samaritan woman, is “out of touch” with her “lost,” “wrong-way”
status. Frankly that’s surprising since the Samaritan woman was clearly a social outcast
– by virtue of coming to Jacob’s Well at noon time. I mean as Tim Keller points out -noon time was “…not when women came to draw water. They came early in the day,
when it was not hot yet, so they could have water for their…chores the entire day. [And
so apparently the Samaritan woman] … was a moral outcast…within her own
society…[forced to come to the well, at an alternative time -- to avoid public shunning]”
(https://rodiagnusdei.wordpress.com/2012/09/11/tim-keller-at-oxford-2/). But in spite of her outcast
status – the Samaritan woman was clueless, cocky – but also calcified. Translated: the
Samaritan was stubborn and prideful -- in her sinful ways.
3. Yet Jesus doesn’t give up. I mean Jesus just keep engaging the Samaritan woman –
penetrating her stubborn, prideful, sinful ways. Friends: Jesus does the same for us. I
mean we’re also clueless – cocky – and calcified. But Jesus is relentless in confronting
us -- convicting us that we too are flying in the wrong direction; that indeed we are lost –
needing desperately – to be found.
Marvel At Jesus’ Resolve To Reach Us, Crossing Any Barrier
1. It’s amazing: we are so stubborn – but Jesus is so willing – to tackle any barrier -- to
find us. In the case of the Samaritan woman, Jesus tackles numerous barriers. First -- is
the woman’s identity as a Samaritan. I mean as alluded to earlier -- Jews were not to
associate with Samaritans. And for good reason: Samaritans were considered halfbreeds, because of their openness to marrying Gentiles – and -- their tendency to dabble
in pagan worship. Yet – in spite of the woman’s despised status -- Jesus reaches out!
Next is the Samaritan woman’s identity as a woman. I mean according to Rabbinic oral
law, men could not greet women in public, let along converse with them.
https://bible.org/article/christianity-best-thing-ever-happened-women. For Rabbinic oral law taught,
women were tainted, lowly and “second-rate.” Yet – in spite of the woman’s tainted
status -- Jesus reaches out. And lastly is the Samaritan woman’s identity as a social
outcast. I mean as noted previously, the women is branded immoral -- shunned -- as she’s
forced to draw water at an odd time, noon time; but also an odd location, for as William
Barclay notes, Jacob’s Well was a half a mile from the woman’s hometown of Sychar,
which also had a well, but couldn’t be accessed because of the woman’s tainted
reputation. (William Barclay, The Gospel of John, The New Daily Study Bible, p. 172). Yet – in
spite of the woman’s shunned status -- Jesus reaches out.
2. Jesus still reaches out to shunned – tainted – despised people. People like us. Story: P.
Paul and Robin reaching out, crossing barriers to assist one of their kids, ending up at an
IHOP eating pancakes. Jesus will do the same, doing anything to rescue and bolster your
life.
Anticipate The Nourishment, The Refreshment Of The Lord
1. The Samaritan woman focuses on physical food, physical water -- as she comes to
Jacob’s Well. But Jesus focuses on living water. “Where can you get this living water?”
-- the woman asks Jesus in a presumptuous, smart-alecky fashion. “Are you greater than
our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself…?” (John 4:11-12)
2. But Jesus is not put off by the woman’s cocky, arrogant tone. Again – he just keeps
pursuing her – “coming after her” – striving to penetrate her lostness and denial. Finally
the woman is convicted. “I can see you’re a prophet…[Frankly] I know that Messiah
(called Christ) is [also] coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us. Then
Jesus declared: “I, the one speaking to you – I am he.” (John 4:19; 25-26) And bingo –
with that -- the woman sees the living water – she sees spiritual nourishment – she sees
Jesus! In fact the text tell us – the woman leaves her water jar – she leaves her focus on
physical nourishment – and focuses on spiritual nourishment – rushing back to Sychar –
declaring – “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the
Messiah?…” (John 4:28-29). Jesus wants us to leave our water jars behind -- and focus
on spiritual nourishment – as well. Story: P. Paul’s doctor – offering a spiritual
prescription of reassurance and grace. Our Heavenly Doctor, the Great Physician offers
the same.
Multiply The Message of Grace – Of Gospel – Of Living Water
1. It’s striking that the first thing the Samaritan woman did after allowing herself “to be found”
by Jesus – was to tell others – that they too could be found. That they too could move from
denial and lostness – toward – spiritual awareness and nourishment. And the Samaritan
woman’s testimony had impact! For John 4:39 tells us – “Many of the Samaritans from
[Sychar] believed in [Jesus] because of the women’s testimony, ‘He told me everything I ever
did.’ – [and then they declared that Jesus] … really is the Savior of the world…” (John 4:39;
42).
2. We are called to believe, leaving our water jar – and come home – receiving the living water –
only Jesus can give! An ever-bubbling spring -- that always is “…welling up to eternal
life…” (John 4:14). It’s interesting: the theme of living water is found throughout scripture
as a sign of salvation and grace. But it’s most pronounced in the Old Testament (e.g. Isaiah
12:3; 55:1; Ezek. 47:1-12; Zech 14:8) – as Paul points out in 1 Corinthians 10:4. Why “our
ancestors (referring to the Old Testament) were all under the cloud…They all ate the same
spiritual food -- and drank the same spiritual drink -- for they drank from the spiritual rock
that accompanied them -- and that rock was Christ…(1 Corinthians 10:4). Our spiritual rock
is also Christ -- and we also are called to drink from Him. Sure – we might feel under a cloud
– we might sense we are lost. But we can be found – as we receive His spiritual nourishment
– His grace -- His living water!
3. Story: Berkley Spring. Healing waters. We’re all in search of therapeutic and restorative
outcomes. We’re all in search of living -- healing water!
Conclusion
1. There is only one ultimate source of living – healing water: Christ and Christ alone! For as
Paul reminds us – only Christ is the spiritual rock from which the best water -- living water –
is found. Receive living water – amazing grace! Receive Jesus – who really is -- the Savior
of the World!