A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; NEW TESTAMENT STORIES

                                         IN THE HEAT OF THE DAY PART XI

 

"I, a Samaritian woman, am living in Sychar in Samaria.... I am at the well of my town.... And I am doing something I have never in my life done.... I am having a conversation with a Jewish Man.... That is completely against His rules as well as my rules.... He began this conversation by asking me for water..... He continued then by telling me about "living water"... That sounded too good to be true.... However, He then switched subjects by asking me to get my husband.... That was a difficult moment for me.... He made it even more difficult for me when He revealed to me details of my personal life I rather not talk about.... However, I sensed that this Man was not judging me..... I, therefore, decided I could bring up a subject that is very close to my heart.... I began to talk to Him about worship.... That might be a safer topic to talk about anyway.... What this Man revealed to me next was something no one had ever said to me .... It was about the place of worship.".... Please read the typed out attachment when you will learn that Jesus revealed facts about worship the Samaritan woman had never heard before...

                  ATTACHMENT A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; NEW TESTAMENT STORIES

                                              IN THE HEAT OF THE DAY PART XI

Whatever reason the Samaritan woman may have have had to bring up the issue of worship, Jesus takes it up, and gives her insight beyond what she has known, as you can read in John 4:21-22

Jesus declared, "Believe Me, woman, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews."

Jesus' revelation about true worship is completely new to this woman. She has neve heard anyone say this before.

 

                            A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; NEW TESTAMENT STORIES 

                                          IN THE HEAT OF THE DAY PART X

"I, a Samaritan woman, am living in Sychar in Samaria.... I had gone to the well to draw water... While there I met a Jewish Man... He had begun a conversation with me.... At some point in our conversation He asked me about my husband.... I had to tell Him I had no husband... That is true because I am now living with a man but I am not married to him.... Jesus seemed to know that and He knew that I have had five husbands.... I was shocked He knew these facts.... I was even more shocked that He remained non-judgemental in His attitude towards me even after having revealed these facts....In my town no one wanted to talk to me because they knew my story.... But this Man did not turn away from me after having revealed the truth... That gave me courage to continue speaking to Him... In fact, it gave me courage to bring up a subject I have often wondered about."... Please read the typed out attachment when you will learn that the Samaritan woman dares to bring up a subject that is very likely close to her heart....

               ATTACHMENT A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; NEW TESTAMENT STORIES

                                        IN THE HEAT OF THE DAY PART X

To the Samaritan woman this Man in front of her must at least be a Prophet. And He may well be the One who is able to answer some questions she has had for a long time already, and which no one has been able to give her a satisfactory answer to as you can read in John 4:19-20

"Sir," the woman said, "I can see You are a Prophet. Our fathers worshipped on this mountain but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem."

Perhaps she is trying as well to change the subject because talking about her failed relationships is possibly too painful.

 

                               A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; NEW TESTAMENT STORIES

                                             IN THE HEAT OF THE DAY PART IX

 I, a Samaritan woman, am living in Sychar in Samaria.... I had gone to the well to draw water.... While there I had met a Jewish Man.... He had begun to speak to me...Our initial conversation had been about water.... He had even spoken of "living water".... I wanted to know more about this "living water"... But the Man then suddenly changed subjects.... He began to talk about my personal life.... He asked me to fetch my husband..... That was a very painful subject for me.... He could not know, of course, my personal history..... How could He know?.... He has only met me a few minutes ago...He could not know that I have been married not once, not twice, not three times, not even four times, but five times.... And the man I now live with is not my husband... So technically speaking I do not have a husband... I tried to tell that to Him... But He then shocked me to  my core when He revealed facts about my life to me I did not expect Him to know....Who can this Man be?... Please read the typed out attachment when Jesus reveals  to the Samaritan woman specific detals  about her life....

               ATTACHMENT A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; NEW TESTAMENT STORIES

                                          IN THE HEAT OF THE DAY PART IX

Jesus next shocks the Samaritan woman even further by telling her the true situation about her marital status as you can read in John 4:17b-18

Jesus said to her, "You are right when you said you have no husband. The fact is, you have had five husbands and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have said is quite true."

The Samaritan woman begins to realise that the Person in front of her cannot be an ordinary Jew to have known all these facts about her life.

 

 

  

                                  A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; NEW TESTAMENT STORIES

                                              IN THE HEAT OF THE DAY PART VIII

"I, a Samaritan woman, am living in Sychar in Samaria.... I had gone to the well to draw water... I do this every day... Usually I am here by myself... The reason that is so because I go here at 12 midday, the hottest time of the day... Today there was Someone when I got here.... A Jewish Man was here.... I was very surprised to see Him here.... But I did not say anything.... Jews are not supposed to talk to Samaritans.... Even more so because I am a Samaritan woman... But this Man talked to me....He, first of all, asked me for some water.... He may have been thirsty.... But He then began to talk about "living water.... I "forgot" I should not have a conversation with Him... I was so interested in learning more about this "living water"... The Man then abruptly changed subjects.... He began to talk to me about my husband.... The truth is, I do not have a husband....At least that is part of my story.".... Please read the typed out attachment when you will learn that Jesus switched subjects when talking to the Samaritan woman....

                 ATTACHMENT A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; NEW TESTAMENT STORIES

                                              IN THE HEAT OF THE DAY PART VIII

Jesus, having talked to the Samaritan woman about "living water," does not ask her why she has come to the well at 12 midday. Instead, He begins to talk about a matter which seems to be totally unrelated to water; He begins to talk to her about her husband as you can read in John 4:16-17a

He told her, "Go, call your husband and come back." "I have no husband," she replied.

The woman must have been surprised at His request for her to call her husband. As far as she is concerned,  her husband has got nothing whatsoever to do with her receiving "living water." Nevertheless, she decides to tell Him the truth, or at least give Him a glimpse of what she considers to be the truth.

                  

                           A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; NEW TESTAMENT STORIES

                                      IN THE HEAT OF THE DAY PART VII

 "I, a Samaritan woman, am living in Sychar in Samaria.... I have just had amazing experience.... I have been told by a Jewish Man that He can give me "living water".... Now I know I am not supposed to have this conversation with Him.... After all, He is a Man and I am a woman.... And no man would ever talk to a woman in public... It is against the rules.... Moreover, He is a Jew and I am a Samaritan.... And Jews never speak with Samaritans.... But this Man spoke to me... Not just once... No, He continued His conversation after I had told Him we are not supposed to talk....I know, of course, that I should not continue my conversation with Him.... But how can I not continue?.... He has just told me that He not only knows about "living water"... He has told me He is the One who can give me "living water".... Would that mean I will never have to come here again to draw water from the well?... Please read the typed out attachment when you will learn that the Samaritan woman is very interested in Jesus' offer of "living water."...

 

 

 

                   ATTACHMENT A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; NEW TESTAMENT STORIES

                                        IN THE HEAT OF THE DAY PART VII

This offer by Jesus of "living water" is surely an offer that no one, including this Samarian woman, can refuse as you can read in John 4:15

The woman said to Him, "Sir, give me this water so that I won't get thirsty and have to keep coming down here to draw water."

The woman still thinks Jesus is talking about natural water and, of course, it will be so wonderful if she does not have to make that daily trip to the well. Especially, because she is making that trip at midday, the hottest time of the day. That is very unusual for the usual time for women to draw water is in the early morning and in the early evening when it is cooler. No doubt, Jesus is very aware that this woman has come to the well at an unusual time to draw water. 

                

 

 

                              A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; NEW TESTAMENT STORIES

                                          IN THE HEAT OF THE DAY PART VI

 "I, a Samarian woman, am living in Sychar in Samaria.... I had gone to the well to draw water... While there I met a Jewish Man... He asked me for some water.... He then began to talk to me about something He called "living water"... I asked Him where I could get this "living water"... The Man did not not answer my question.... That is He did not answer my question in the way I expected Him to.... Instead, He explained that He is the Source of that "living water"....And that anyone who receives the water He gives will never be thirsty again...Could it mean I would never again have to go to the well to draw water?...  I would be very happy if I never again had to go there.... Especially because I had to do so at 12 midday, the hottest time of the day.... I so longed I could go to the well at a cooler time of the day.... But that could only happen if people no longer looked down on me as they have been doing all these years.".... Please read the typed out attachment when you will learn Jesus' answer to the Samaritan woman in relation to her question on "living water."....

 

               ATTACHMENT A PURPOSEFUL LIFE, NEW TESTAMENT STORIES

                                            IN THE HEAT OF THE DAY PART VI

Jesus, encouraged by the Samaritan woman' s honest questioning. begins to expand on His words as you can read in John 4:13-14

Jesus answered, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life."

Jesus makes her this amazing promise that the water He can give will mean she will never be thirsty.

 

 

                             A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; NEW TESTAMENT STORIES

                                          IN THE HEAT OF THE DAY PART V

 "I, a Samaritan woman live in Sychar in Samaria.... I had gone to the well to draw water.... To  my surprise I met with a Jewish man.... Even more surprisingly He began to talk to me..... He asked me for some water....I expected Him to be quiet after our initial conversation.... For we, Jews and Samaritans, do not communicate with each other.... But He did not stop talking to me.... He next began to talk to me about "living water".... I completely forgot that He is not supposed to talk to me... I was so intrigued by his invitation to get "living water" from Him.... I did not know what it was..... But it had to be something very special.... I wanted to know where I can get this "living water."... Please read the typed out attachment when you will learn that the Samaritan woman is puzzled about Jesus' offer of "living water"...

 

 

            ATTACHMENT A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; NEW TESTAMENT STORIES

                                        IN THE HEAT OF THE DAY PART V

And what an invitation this Jewish man has given to the Samaritan woman. No wonder she wants to find out more about this "living water" because it is word further investigation. So she begins to question Jesus. And Jesus is not upset about her questions for He recognises that these are honest questions and deserve an honest answer. Let's read John 4:11-12

"Sir," the woman said, "You have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can You get this "living water"? Are You greater that our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his flocks and herds?"

The woman has observed that Jesus has nothing with Him to draw water with, so she is very puzzled about His statement on "living water." To her natural mind even "living water" has to be drawn from a well and to be able to draw from a well a container is needed. Yet, at the same time she wonders if perhaps He is able to offer her this "living water" from a well without the need for a container. If that is so then this Jewish Man standing in front of her must be even greater than her forefather Jacob, at whose well they are having this conversation.

 

                              

                             A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; NEW TESTAMENT STORIES

                                        IN THE HEAT OF THE DAY PART IV

 

"I, a Samaritan woman, live in Sychar in Samaria.... I had gone to the well to draw water.... I got there by 12 midday.... It was hot... I was not expecting there to be anyone else... But there was.... A Jewish man sat there.... He looked tired... And he looked thirsty.... I ignored him.... After all, he is a Jewish man.... And I am a Samaritan woman.... He is not supposed to speak to me.... But he did.... He asked me for a drink... I was shocked to hear him speak to me... It must have been because he was thirsty.... I am thirsty too, of course.... That is why I have come to the well...Drawing water is very had work....I wish I did not have to come here every day.... Especially, because I have to come here at 12 midday.... The hottest time of the day.... I expected the man to leave after I had given him some water.... But he did not... He stayed on... Moreover, he said more things to me... And what he said to me next was unbelievable.... He was talking about living water... I did not know what he meant with these words... But they sounded so inviting... Could they possibly be true?".... Please read the typed out attachment when you will learn that Jesus offers the woman "living water."... 

               ATTACHMENT A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; NEW TESTAMENT STORIES

                                        IN THE HEAT OF THE DAY PART IV

It seems Jesus does not care that the person at the well is a woman, and that He is not supposed to talk to her. Neither does He seem to care that she is a Samaritan woman and is, therefore, considered unclean, for not only does He ask her for water, He continues His conversation with her as you can read in John 4:10

"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."

By talking about water Jesus has the woman listening to Him. After all, the reason she has come to the well is to draw water. But that water supply will run out, and she will need to come back the next day for another supply of water, and the day after, and the day after.... This time He turns the invitation around. for this time He does not ask the woman for water. No, He invites her to receive water from Him. However, it is a very special kind of water, it is called "living water."

 

 

                               A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; NEW TESTAMENT STORIES 

                                          IN THE HEAT OF THE DAY PART III

"I, a Samaritan woman, live in Sychar in Samaria.... Once a day I go to the well to draw water.... I usually do that at 12 midday... I know that is not the usual time for women to collect water.... The ususal time to collect water is either early in the morning or later in the day....By the time I go there it is hot.... There is usually no one else.... But today things were different.... For today there was a Man when I got to the well... I was very surprised to see Him...I did not say anything.... I realised He was a Jewish Man.... I did not know why He was there.... But it did not matter.... I just wanted to fill my jar with water and return home... But the Man began to speak to me... I was shocked He did so.... No Jewish man would ever speak to a Samaritan.... We are considered unclean people.... Because we are a mixed race.... Moreover, no Jewish man would ever speak to a woman in public... He would not even speak to a Jewish woman.... And I am a Samaritan woman.... But this Man spoke to me..... Did He not know the rules?... Please read the typed out attachment when you will learn how the Samarian woman responds to Jesus' request for water....

 

                ATTACHMENT A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; NEW TESTAMENT STORIES 

                                               IN THE HEAT OF THE DAY PART III

The Samaritan woman is extremely surprised that this Jewish Man is willing to ask her for a drink as you can read in John 4:9

The Samaritan woman said to him, "You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can You ask me for a drink?" (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.)

She knows the rules well and is completely taken aback that this Jewish Man breaks all these rules.