We all know of the parable found in the Book of Luke, 10: 25-37, about a traveler who is stripped of clothing, beaten, and left half dead alongside the road. First a Jewish priest and then a Levite comes by, but both avoid the man. Finally, a Samaritan happens upon the traveler and offers comfort and needed help. There is a history between the Jews and the Samaritans that adds cause and reason to the story of this encounter of Jesus and this woman. It is my belief that to really read the Bible we must get past what I will call a surface read. Each word, sentence and paragraph builds on those before, building a foundation of thought and reason. That’s my way as a layman to get into the word and it works for me. Get past the surface and behind the words and seek the meaning and message of our Lord and Savior. In my own small way I will try to do this as we read this story of Jesus and the Samaritan woman.
A New Stage…
We read in the Book of John, Chapter 4 Jesus’ ministry enters a new stage. Jesus was a Jew and up until this time in the ministry he had always been confined to traditional Judaism, that which reckoned outsiders and enemies as a threat to the precepts of Judaism and viewed the Samaritans as such. The nearest event to have caused this intense dislike occurred about 200 BCE. The dispute that caused these hard feelings between the Jews and the Samaritans was about the correct location of the cultic center. The Samaritans had built a shrine on Mt. Gerizim during the Persian period and claimed that the shrine was the proper place to worship, not in the Temple in Jerusalem. The Temple was destroyed in 128 BCE but the hostility between the Samaritans and the Jews continued. So…let’s continue. As Jesus travels through Samaria he comes to a town called Sychar. It is here that Jacob’s well was located and here he encounters the woman late in the day who had come to draw water. As we read on we come to know why she came so late in the day a good example of a surface read is found here. If we remember this little fact later we can arrive at the possibility she came late to avoid others because of her reputation in the village. Just a quick pass over and we might miss this foundational block of our story. Jesus’ ministry was always the salvation of all of people. I am sure this is not Jesus’ first break from the traditional practices of Judaism. Here at this moment His actions and intentions are made clear as to this salvation Jesus speaks of… It is for ALL. We must not let ourselves let this moment pass. Two things here are pivotal. He speaks directly to a Samaritan, who happens to be a woman who has come to draw water from the well. This is someone who stands in marked contrast to all that has preceded in the Gospel so far. Jesus had spoken with Nicodemus, a male of high standing in the Jewish religious establishment. But now Jesus speaks with a Samaritan woman, an unnamed female of an enemy people.
The next surface read is found in verses 4: 4-6 and asks the question. Was the choice to go through Samaria geographical or did it have some theological reasoning also, that would support it? Was Galilee the quickest and best? There is scripture to indicate that there was some theological value included in this decision.
Look at verses John 3:14…14 – 15 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up,[15 that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.” . V 30: He must become greater; I must become less.” V 9: 4…4 As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work.
These verses do add a theological consideration in answering this question. There is the very real possibility that Jesus believed that his calling was to go among those whom social and behavior paths was deemed unacceptable to God’s plan and will. To bring them to salvation, they would need to hear the word of God. Our last point for this week will be is something we might go by at first. These next verses 4: 5,6,7 are reminiscent of some old testament images and do in some way add to the narrative of these verses. In both the stories, Elijah and the widow of Sidon, (1 Kgs 17: 10-11) and of this encounter at that well tell of women being interrupted while engaged in housework by a gesture of hospitality. The parallel here suggests the image of Jesus as a prophet and this will become an observation that plays a part in their conversation.
We all know of the parable found in the Book of Luke, 10: 25-37, about a traveler who is stripped of clothing, beaten, and left half dead alongside the road. First a Jewish priest and then a Levite comes by, but both avoid the man. Finally, a Samaritan happens upon the traveler and offers comfort and needed help. There is a history between the Jews and the Samaritans that adds cause and reason to the story of this encounter of Jesus and this woman. It is my belief that to really read the Bible we must get past what I will call a surface read. Each word, sentence and paragraph builds on those before, building a foundation of thought and reason. That’s my way as a layman to get into the word and it works for me. Get past the surface and behind the words and seek the meaning and message of our Lord and Savior. In my own small way I will try to do this as we read this story of Jesus and the Samaritan woman.
A New Stage…
We read in the Book of John, Chapter 4 Jesus’ ministry enters a new stage. Jesus was a Jew and up until this time in the ministry he had always been confined to traditional Judaism, that which reckoned outsiders and enemies as a threat to the precepts of Judaism and viewed the Samaritans as such. The nearest event to have caused this intense dislike occurred about 200 BCE. The dispute that caused these hard feelings between the Jews and the Samaritans was about the correct location of the cultic center. The Samaritans had built a shrine on Mt. Gerizim during the Persian period and claimed that the shrine was the proper place to worship, not in the Temple in Jerusalem. The Temple was destroyed in 128 BCE but the hostility between the Samaritans and the Jews continued. So…let’s continue. As Jesus travels through Samaria he comes to a town called Sychar. It is here that Jacob’s well was located and here he encounters the woman late in the day who had come to draw water. As we read on we come to know why she came so late in the day a good example of a surface read is found here. If we remember this little fact later we can arrive at the possibility she came late to avoid others because of her reputation in the village. Just a quick pass over and we might miss this foundational block of our story. Jesus’ ministry was always the salvation of all of people. I am sure this is not his first break from the traditional practices of Judaism. Here at this moment His actions and intentions are made clear as to this salvation Jesus speaks of… It is for ALL. We must not let ourselves pass this moment pass. Two things here are pivotal. He speaks directly to a Samaritan, who happens to be a woman who has come to draw water from the well. This is someone who stands in marked contract to all that has preceded in the Gospel so far. Jesus had spoken with Nicodemus, a male of high standing in the Jewish religious establishment. But now Jesus speaks with a Samaritan woman, an unnamed female of an enemy people.
The next surface read is found in verses 4: 4-6 and asks the question. Was the choice to go through Samaria geographical or did it have some theological reasoning also, that would support it?Was Galilee the quickest and best? There is scripture to indicate that there was some theological value included in this decision.
Look at verses John 3:14…14 – 15 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up,[15 that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.” . V 30: He must become greater; I must become less.” V 9: 4…4 As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work.
These verses do add a theological consideration in answering this question. There is the very real possibility that Jesus believed that his calling was to go among those whom social and behavior paths was deemed unacceptable to God’s plan and will. To bring them to salvation, they would need to hear the word of God. Our last point for this week will be is something of we might not read at first. This Samaritan woman had no idea who she was talking to. These next verses 4: 5,6,7 are reminiscent of some old testament images and do in some way add to the narrative of these verses. In both the stories, Elijah and the widow of Sidon, (1 Kgs 17: 10-11) and of this encounter at that well tell of women being interrupted while engaged in housework by a gesture of hospitality. The parallel here suggests the image of Jesus as a prophet and this will become an observation that plays a part in their conversation. So, beyond the words, what have we found?
- there was a history between the Jews and the Samaritans
- Where to worship God in the Temple in Jerusalem or on Mt Gerizim
- We are there for the beginning of a new stage in Jesus’ ministry
- It was the sixth hour of the day, rather late for her to come for water she would need for house hold chores
- the reason of going through Galilee to get to Jerusalem
- The possibility of a theological point
- The woman had no idea who she was talking about
I will stop here this week, next week we will read the conversation between Jesus and the woman, the arrival of the disciples and her departure then Jesus’s conversation with the disciples and finally the reaction of the town people. I enjoy being back in the word and hope you have enjoyed your visit to The Pew. Meet you here next week.
Life is Good
jk
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