Posted: 12/17/04
LifeWay Family Bible Series for Dec. 26
Announce Jesus Christ, the source for new life
John 4:1-45
By Leroy Fenton
Baptist Standard, Dallas
The Samaritan woman meeting Jesus at Jacob's well was such a refreshing and forceful experience that John included it in his witness to the identity of Christ as the Messiah (4:25-26).
What takes place is almost unbelievable. This Samaritan woman, considered inferior to men, an outcast of her social community, a member of the most despised racial group in Israel, a sexually immoral individual having a live-in partner not her husband, experienced the saving grace of Christ. As a result, she transcends race, sex, immorality, religion and prejudice in becoming what all Christians should be–an avid, vibrant witness to Christ, the Son of God.
Her excitement in announcing the good news of Christ is a captivating highlight of this passage. Profound biblical truths are taught concerning the task and opportunities of the church. Unfortunately, the Great Commission that calls Christian to “go” and “make disciples” often is substituted for “come” and “make fellowship.”
Announce the need for new life
Jesus, as always, was a friend to sinners. This woman needed to know Jesus as her personal Savior. Jesus treated her with respect even though she was a social outcast and a moral misfit. Amazed this Jewish Jesus would associate with her because of an expected intolerance (v. 9), she opened up her mind to listen. Jesus turned his searching eye upon her dark side to reveal his knowledge of her five previous husbands and current live-in who was not her husband (v. 17). Jesus' knowledge of one's sinful condition tips the scales toward guilt, confession and faith.
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Taking the common need to drink water to quench physical thirst, Jesus used this play on words as a metaphor to point out the common human spiritual thirst. Verse 10 superbly answers the question of source (Jesus), need (eternal life) and resolution (ask): “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.” Just as an individual has to have water to live in this life, the “gift of God” (v. 10) or “living water” is necessary to have eternal life (v. 13). The metaphor continues as Jesus adds, “but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst” for it is the spring-like living fountain of “eternal life” (vv. 13-14).
“Never thirst” is a double negative with the sense of “most assuredly will not thirst.” She turned from being earthbound, “give me this water so that I won't get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water” (v. 15), to drinking the “living water” of faith in Christ, the Messiah (v.26), the “gift of God” (v. 10), “the Savior of the world” (v. 42), who she could “worship in spirit and in truth” (v. 26).
Announce your testimony of new life
This tainted Samaritan woman came to the well at a time when no one else would be there so she could avoid the scorn and criticism from her peers. She looked at herself as being unworthy and unfit. All of that changed when she discovered this Jesus was the Messiah Christ “who told me everything I ever did” (v. 29).
Her transformation is remarkable. Her demeanor became charged with emotion. She left her water pot and rushed back into the village exuberantly with good news of her discovery. In a few short minutes of profound discussion with Jesus, her whole world was turned upside down. She changed the way she looked at herself, how she looked at God and how she looked at others. God burst into her life and then burst forth from her life, and the contrast was astonishing.
Her message and her manner brought the villagers “out of town … toward him” (v. 30). This outcast became an evangelist. God uses a divorced, immoral, half-breed woman to share the gospel with a lost village. Individuals who announce their faith bring the nonbelievers out of their doubting retreat to consider the truth about Christ Jesus.
Announce the urgency for new life
Visualize the swarm of people who came from their homes and village toward Christ. To Jesus, these Samaritans appeared as grain waiting to be harvested. The urgency is obvious for both the disciple and the nonbeliever. Jesus used this agricultural image to teach that a disciple does not have to wait (v. 35) to find people responsive. The window of opportunity is there if the believer will “open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest” (v. 35). … Even now he harvests the crop for eternal life” (v. 36).
Announce the results of new life
The Samaritans accepted the basic beliefs of Judaism and were worshipers of one God. They, too, awaited the coming Messiah. The woman's testimony was believable (v. 39) and many were converted. Jesus stayed with them two days and “many more became believers” (v. 41). Unexpected results will happen if Christians will be faithful always to proclaim Jesus as Son of God.
Discussion question
How can Christians announce that Jesus is the source of new life through their actions?
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