JESUS’ MINISTRY TO THE SAMARITAN WOMAN (Part I)
 

Sharing the Gospel does not come naturally to every Christian. Most of us feel awkward because we do not know how or where to start. Perhaps we can learn some things from Jesus, the Master Teacher, Who not only engaged in public preaching but also in personal evangelism. One such example is His special ministry to the Samaritan woman (Jn. 4: 1-26). May we, through this little study, learn more about the unique way in which our Lord ministered, and thereby glean some useful principles of reaching out to the lost.

The account of Jesus’ meeting with the Samaritan woman is one of the most interesting and instructive passages in John’s Gospel. In the previous chapter, John shows us how the Lord dealt with Nicodemus, a self-righteous, ignorant religious leader. Here, Jesus dealt with a sinful, immoral woman. On both occasions, He drew them to salvation.

A heart for lost souls

To avoid a confrontation with the Pharisees who took offence at His making many disciples, Jesus left Judea for Galilee (Jn. 4: 1-3). Between Galilee in the North and Judea in the South lies the city of Samaria. Owing to the hatred which existed between Jews and Samaritans, many of the Jews went from Jerusalem to Galilee by turning eastward, crossing the Jordan, and passing northward through Perea. This journey required about seven days, while the more direct route, through Samaria, only took three days. Like His fellow Jews, Jesus could have taken the circuitous route. Instead, He chose the shortest route through Samaria. John tells us that Jesus “must needs go through Samaria” (Jn. 4: 4). Did Jesus take this course because it was a short cut? Perhaps. But there was a more compelling purpose - Samaria needed His attention.

Bridging the gulf

Our Lord was sitting by Jacob’s well when a woman of Samaria came there to draw water. Notice Jesus’ first words to the woman: “Give me to drink” (v. 7). He did not wait for her to speak to Him. Neither did He begin by reproving her sins, though He doubtless knew them. The Lord initiated the conversation by asking for a favour.

“This request was made, to introduce a discourse with the woman, he having a more violent thirst, and a stronger desire, after the welfare of her immortal soul” – John Gill.

He approached the woman’s mind by asking for “water” - something that was naturally uppermost in her thoughts. Simple as this request may seem, it opened a door to spiritual conversation. “It threw a bridge across the gulf which lay between her and Him. It led to the conversion of her soul” – J C Ryle.

In receiving this woman, Christ transcended the barriers of race (He was a Jew, she was a Samaritan), religion and rank (He was an acknowledged rabbi and she was an immoral woman).

Gaining interest

The woman’s interest was stirred when Jesus spoke to her. It was unusual for a man to speak to a woman. But more than that, He was a Jew. “How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans?” (v. 9). The Jews despised the Samaritans. The depth of their enmity is reflected in these words by Adam Clarke: “The deadly hatred that subsisted between these two nations is known to all. The Jews cursed them, and believed them to be accursed. Their most merciful wish to the Samaritans was, that they might have no part in the resurrection; or, in other words, that they might be annihilated.” Some background information is needed to better understand their long-standing enmity.

When the Assyrian army conquered Israel in 722BC, all able-bodied Jews were deported, leaving behind the handicapped and the poor. As replacement, the Assyrians brought in a mixed multitude which intermarried with the Jews. With the mixed multitude came their pantheon of gods. Thus Israel compromised her faith. Samaria was occupied by a genus of half-Jews and half Gentiles.

Moreover, when the Jewish returnees under Ezra and Zerubbabel were rebuilding the Temple at Jerusalem, the Samaritans offered their help. The Jews’ refusal deepened their animosity. Subsequently, the Samaritans set up a religion of Yahweh of their own. They believed only in the Law of Moses – “the Pentateuch”- and set up worship at their own temple on Mount Gerizim. Their actions further alienated them from the Jews who regarded them as religious outcasts. The final straw came in 128 BC when the Jews destroyed the Samaritan temple on Mount Gerizim.

In view of this ancient enmity, no Jew would ever speak to a Samaritan. By asking for a favour, Jesus aroused her curiosity. It also caused her to wonder why a Jewish man should ask a despised person for a drink.

Application

Let us find opportunities to speak of our Saviour. Put aside all our prejudices. Learn from the Lord how to minister to the careless and spiritually ignorant who will not, on their own, seek God. Pray for wisdom to approach them. Build a rapport. A common interest opens the way for meaningful dialogue. Once the gulf has been bridged, it is easier to present the Gospel. Common topics of interest include family (children, grandchildren), activities (work, community projects, hobbies), shared experiences (travel, life’s struggles). (… to be continued.)

- Pastor