John 4 – A THIRSTY SOUL STUDY
JESUS LIVING WATERS
4Now He had to pass through Samaria. 5So He came to a town of Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. 6 Since Jacob’s well was there, Jesus, weary from His journey, sat down by the well. It was about the sixth hour.b 7 When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Give Me a drink.” 8(His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.)
{to drink Strong’s G4095 – pinō
- figuratively, to receive into the soul what serves to refresh strengthen, nourish it unto life eternal
9“You are a Jew,” said the woman. “How can You ask for a drink from me, a Samaritan woman?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.)c
{JESUS MADE A WAY FOR ALL TO KNOW HIM AND RECEIVE HIM}
A Samaritan in the Bible was a person from Samaria, a region north of Jerusalem. In Jesus’ day, the Jewish people of Galilee and Judea shunned the Samaritans, viewing them as a mixed race who practiced an impure, half-pagan religion.
10Jesus answered, “If you knew the gift of God and who is asking you for a drink, you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.”
LIVING WATER- SOURCE OF LIFE!
11“Sir,” the woman replied, “You have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where then will You get this living water? 12Are You greater than our father Jacob, who gave us this well and drank from it himself, as did his sons and his livestock?”
(no jar)- she is being logic in this moment. Looking in the natural asking where is his jar his vessel that will get the living water-
LITTLE DOES SHE KNOW HE IS THE VESSEL of THE LIVING WATER! He doesn’t need one FOR this spiritual TRANSACTION!)
(First scripture of “living waters is found in Jeremiah)
JERIMIAH 2:13 For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.
JERMIAH 17:13 O LORD, the hope of Israel, all that forsake thee shall be ashamed, and they that depart from me shall be writtenin the earth, because they have forsaken the LORD, the fountain of living waters.
She is questioning his authority.WHY BECAUSE JUST LIKE HER- WE want to be IN CONTROL OF OUR OWN LIVES- self reliant and self sufficient.
So we question HOW someone would have the AUTHORITY to speak truth into their lives. She wants to know who is this man, why SHOULD I believe him, what is going on HERE?
She is experiencing AN IMPARTATION OF supernatural grace and faith to believe that THE WORDS HE SAYS OUT OF HIS MOUTH THAT SHE IS HEARING WITH HER EARS are true, trustworthy.
(we should test the spirits) SHE IS NOT A FAULT FOR WONDERING.
13Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again. 14But whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up to eternal life.”
- to drink
- figuratively, to receive into the soul what serves to refresh strengthen, nourish it unto life eternal
Thirst: to suffer thirst, suffer from thirst
- figuratively, those who are said to thirst who painfully feel their want of, and eagerly long for, those things by which the soul is refreshed, supported, strengthened
**JESUS PLANTS A SEED INSIDE OF HER MIND THAT NOW HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO GROW THROUGH HER FAITH.
15The woman said to Him, “Sir, give me this water so that I will not get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.”
I’M NOT SURE IF SHE IS CATCHING ON TO WHAT IS ACTUALLY BEING PRESENTED TO HER IN SPIRITUAL MATTERS HERE. SHE SEEMS TO BE LITERALLY CONFUSED. SHE ASKS FOR THIS WATER THAT SHE DOES NOT HAVE TO RETURN TO TO KEEP DRAWING FROM. SHE WANTS HER JAR TO HAVE THE LIVING WATERS THAT ARE NEVER ENDING AS HE HAS PROMISED TO HER.
16Jesus told her, “Go, call your husband and come back.”
Jesus meets her where she is in her sin unbeknownst TO her understanding. Sin separates us from God = distractions, idols, these things keep up away from fellowship with Jesus/God/Holy Spirit.
17“I have no husband,” the woman replied.
Jesus said to her, “You are correct to say that you have no husband. 18In fact, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. You have spoken truthfully.” (confession of the truth in the heart)
Jesus agrees with her about the current condition of her heart.
JESUS IS IDENTIFYING HER WELL AND THE CONDITION OF HER HEART.
THERE IS SIN BELOW OUR ACTIONS AND THE REASON FOR OUR DO. SHE WANTS TO BE LOVED UNCONDITIONALLY, ACCEPTED, TAKEN CARE OF AND POSSIBLY HAVING SOMEONE SHE CAN CARE FOR, SHE IS LOST AND LOOKING FOR SOMETHING THAT ONLY CHRIST CAN SATISFY. PURE AUTHENTIC LOVE AND COVENANT! A MARRIAGE BUT TO THE KING, AND NOT OUT OF A HUMAN WHO IS NOT PERFECT AND WON’T BE ABLE TO LOVE HER CORRECTLY APART FROM LOVING GOD FIRST. SHE WANTS SOMEONE SHE DOESN’T HAVE TO BECOME SOMEONE SHE IS NOT TO KEEP, BUT ONE WHO SEES HER AND LOVES HER JUST THE WAY SHE IS FOR WHO SHE IS AND WHAT SHE WILL BECOME. JESUS SEES THE VALUE AND THE WORTH WHEN HE LOOKS AT US, BECAUSE HE KNOWS THE TRUTH. THAT WE WERE CREATED IN HIS LIKENESS AND HIS IMAGE OF HIMSELF AND THE FATHER GOD. HE IS IDENTIFYING THE BONDAGE THE PRISON CELLS OF THE ENEMY THAT ENSLAVES HER. JESUS IS ALL FOR FREEDOM OF SIN. FREEDOM OF DEATH. HE IS ALL ABOUT SALVATION AND DELIVERANCE SO THAT WE WILL BE FREE. SALVATION IN THE RIGHT STANDING BEFORE GOD, THE ATONEMENT OF HIS BLOOD SHED, AND DELIVERANCE FROM THE BONDAGE OF SIN, SO THAT WE CAN LIVE A LIFE THAT GIVES GOD ALL THE GLORY!
How can we worship if we are enslaved?
SIN SEPARATES BUT JESUS “MAKES A WAY BACK TO HIM”
IN HIS LOVE FOR HER HE LOVING CALLS HER OUT ON HER WELL, BUT HE IN HIS KINDNESS AND MERCY IS PROVIDING A SOLUTION TO HER THIRST. HE KNOWS HER BOTTOMLESS WELL THAT IS INSIDE OF HER HEART THAT SHE HIDES FROM OTHERS AND EVEN HERSELF AT TIMES. THE PAIN OF NEVER BEING FILLED WITH LOVE. HE CAN SEE THE HEART CONDITION. HE SEES THE PAIN AND WHAT IS INSIDE THAT SHE DESPERATELY MASKING. DOWN-DOWN BELOW AT THE BOTTOM OF HER HEART IS REJECTION, ABANDONMENT, ORPHAN SPIRIT, LONELINESS, SELFISHNESS. BUT OUTWARDLY WE SEE THAT IT IS MEN THE DESIRE TO BE LOVED AND ACCEPTED BY THEM. NOT ONLY ONE HUSBAND HAS SHE FAILED AT KEEPING IN A MARRIAGE COVENANT BUT 5 FAILED MARRIAGES AND ONE POSSIBLY IN THE WORKS!
IT IS IN THE CONFESSION OF OUR SIN THAT ENABLES US TO BE FREE FROM IT. CONFESSION LEADS TO GOD’S FORGIVENESS WHICH ALLOWS FREEDOM OF REPENTANCE. THE CONFESSION IS ALSO OUR IDENTIFYING THAT WE NEED HELP THAT GOD IS ABLE TO COME IN AND DO THE REPAIRS. WE CAN’T FIX OURSELVES, ONLY GOD CAN BECAUSE ONLY HE KNOWS HOW IN HIS PERFECT LOVE.
19“Sir,” the woman said, “I see that You are a prophet.
SHE REALIZES HE IS A PROPHET. SHE NOW REALIZES THAT HE HAS WISDOM, THAT SEED HE PLANTED INSIDE OF HER MIND IS NOW GROWING- GRACE IS IN OPERATION AND NOW SHE CAN FULLY RECEIVE FROM HIM THROUGH FAITH.
20 Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews say that the place where one must worship is in Jerusalem.”
I FIND IT FASCINATING AND WOW ISN’T IT INTERESTING HOW SHE SWITCHES HER FOCUS NOW TO WORSHIP???
LET US DEFINE WORSHIP. (1) The worship of God is nowhere defined in Scripture. A consideration of the above verbs shows that it is not confined to praise; broadly it may be regarded as the direct acknowledgement to God, of His nature, attributes, ways and claims, whether by the outgoing of the heart in praise and thanksgiving or by deed done in such acknowledgment.
Bow down, reverence.
Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come before him: worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.
Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name;worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.
holiness:set-apartness, separateness
Beauty– adornment, glory
- holy adornment (of public worship)
- glory (of the king)
21“Believe Me, woman,” Jesus replied, “a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. 22 You worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23But a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for the Father is seeking such as these to worship Him. 24God is Spirit, and His worshipers must worship Him in spirit and in truth.”
JESUS POINTS OUT SOMETHING VERY CRUCIAL TO THE WOMAN! LISTEN!
SHE WORSHIPS (NOW) WHAT SHE DOES NOT KNOW! INTERESTING CHOICE OF WORDS. I COULD TEND TO BELIEVE SHE IS WORSHIPING SELF/SIN/DEVIL/WALKING IN DARKNESS, BLIND TO TRUTH, AND SHE IS LIVING A LIFE OF WORSHIP TO REFLECT THIS. BEFORE HE STATES THIS HE IS GIVING HER A PRE PARTY INVITE TO WORSHIP GOD!!!! IN SPIRIT AND IN TRUTH- MEANING HER JAR (SHE LEAVES BEHIND) REALLY GETS LEFT BEHIND AND SHE WILL BECOME SOMETHING NEW! A NEW JAR( IN CHRIST)- (A VESSEL) TO WORSHIP HIM IN SPIRIT AND IN TRUTH! ANY TIME! ANY WHERE ! HALLELUJAH! TO THE GLORY TO GOD BY THE HOLY SPIRIT THAT IS COMING TO DWELL INSIDE OF HER!!!!!!!
THE INVITE IS OPEN TO YOU TOO!
THE REQUIREMENT IS THAT WE MUST WORSHIP IN SPIRIT AND TRUTH! WHERE DO WE FIND TRUTH?
YOUR BIBLE IS THE LIVING WORD. YOUR BIBLE IS TRUTH BECAUSE JESUS IS TRUTH AND HE WAS THE WORD MADE FLESH!
GOD IS LOOKING FOR Set apart people who will live their lives unto him for him, for his glory. Honor him in word and in action.
{WE ARE A JAR} {HE IS THE LIVING WATERS TO FILL US UP!}{ONLY HE CAN SATISFY OUR SOULS}
25 The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When He comes, He will explain everything to us.”
26 Jesus answered, “I who speak to you am He.”
THIS INTERACTION IS A BEAUTIFUL PIC OF THE OVERFLOW OF AN ETERNAL FOUNTAIN. IT ALSO ILLUSTRATES THE WHOLE PICTURE OF SALVATION AND DELIVERANCE ONCE WE COME TO CHRIST!
SHE HAD FAITH TO RECEIVE JESUS AND THEN SHE RECEIVED FROM HIM LIVING WATERS. SHE THEN GOES AND TELLS EVERYONE THE NEWS OF HOW HE SAVED HER, WASHED HER, AND SET HER FREE TO WORSHIP HIM- THE OVERFLOW OF THE LIVING WATERS GUSHES OUT OF US AND ONTO OTHERS!
WORSHIP IS A HEART POSITION. IT’S NOT JUST IN A BUILDING OR ON A MOUNTAIN TOP! YOUR LIFE IS WORSHIP TO THE KING!
The Disciples Return and Marvel
27Just then His disciples returned and were surprised that He was speaking with a woman. But no one asked Him, “What do You want from her?” or “Why are You talking with her?”
28Then the woman left her water jar, went back into the town, and said to the people, 29“Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Christ?” 30So they left the town and made their way toward Jesus.
JAR:
- a vessel for holding water
- a water jar, a water pot
Many Samaritans Believe
39Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in Jesus because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I ever did.” 40So when the Samaritans came to Him, they asked Him to stay with them, and He stayed two days.
41And many more believed because of His message. 42They said to the woman, “We now believe not only because of your words; we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man truly is the Savior of the world.”
WE ALL HAVE WELLS THAT WE DRAW FROM. SOME ARE DEEP AND SOME ARE SHALLOW. ONLY THE LIVING WATERS WILL SATISFY OUR SOULS.
AS WE GET TO KNOW JESUS NOT ONLY WILL WE HAVE SO MANY BLESSINGS BUT AN OVERFLOW TO OTHERS AROUND US THAT WILL COME TO KNOW HIM TOO!
—SELF REFLECTION TIME:
WHAT IS INSIDE YOUR WELL? WHERE DO YOU FIND YOURSELF RETURNING TO TIME AND TIME AGAIN TO FILL YOUR JAR, BUT IT ONLY LEAVES YOU WANTING MORE AND MORE- NEVER FILLING UP, NEVER SATISFIED, NEVER FULL?
(LIKE THE CISTERN WITH NO BOTTOM? IS IT FB/IG/SNCHT? A FRIEND GROUP? SOCIAL CLUB? SPORTS? PARENTS? SHOPPING? EATING? BEAUTY TRENDS OF THE WORLD?
WHERE ARE THE PLACES (WELLS) YOU WISH YOU DIDN’T HAVE TO KEEP RETURNING TO TIME AND TIME AGAIN? WHERE DO WE THIRST AND NEVER FEEL FULL? WHAT THOUGHTS ARE ON REPEAT THAT KEEP YOU WANTING MORE AND MORE?