John 4:1-9 - Jesus Meets a Woman at Samaria

John 4:1-9

When therefore the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was baptizing more disciples than John (although Jesus Himself was not baptizing, but His disciples were), He left Judea, and departed again into Galilee. And He had to pass through Samaria. So He came to a city of Samaria, called Sychar, near the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph; and Jacob's well was there. 

Jesus therefore, being wearied from His journey, was sitting thus by the well. It was about the sixth hour. There came a woman of Samaria to draw water. Jesus said to her, "Give Me a drink." For His disciples had gone away into the city to buy food. The Samaritan woman therefore said to Him, "How is it that You, being a Jew, ask me for a drink since I am a Samaritan woman?" (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.)

Message: Jesus Meets a Woman at Samaria

Time: John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing was, "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:31)."

What the Lord is Saying: I did a reading of this passage, up to verse 25-26. In the previous encounter someone has with Jesus, Nicodemus comes to Jesus and Jesus explains to him that he must be born again and in the process, Nicodemus understand that this "born again" is not as it appears literally, but Jesus mentions this born again must happen in a person's life in order to enter the kingdom of God. 

Now in these verses, Jesus has left the land of Judea and has arrived to a city of Samaria called Sycar. (Note: Sychar is only mentioned here and there is no record of this being an actual place. although many scholars have argued that this is the city of Shechem.) Samaria is to the north of Judea. 

It is here that Jesus encounters a woman at a well to draw water. And here, like in John 3, Jesus will describe living water and this is not the same as the water that the woman came to draw at the well. 

Jesus has left Judea with John giving the idea that Jesus was beginning to gain popularity as the Pharisees were hearing word that Jesus was baptizing many people (disciples) than John (though this was not true), He left to go north to Samaria. It was a long journey and upon arriving is at a well and a woman is there to draw water and he asks her for a drink. It seems that Jesus did want a drink, but what transpires is the woman is startled that Jesus (a Jew) would even be speaking to her. 

Tabletalk records that by the 1st century, the people of Samaria were a people of mixed Jewish-Gentile ancestry. They followed a compromised version of the Old Testament. As such, they were considered unclean. 

I suppose the big idea here in this lesson is that Jesus does not dismiss anyone. After this passage we will learn more about the woman at the well. Right now, all that we see is she is a person that for a Jew is unclean simply because of her birth and yet Jesus does not ignore her. Jesus interacts with her. Jesus is fine being with her. We will learn more about her soon, but for now, there is a lesson that Jesus has something to offer to all people. I think of people that have been labeled outcasts, such as black people by whites, or Asian people or anyone of a number of different people, even women, or children. The example here is that Jesus treats everyone the same. And He desires to be with every person in the same way. He does not go out of His way to avoid people, which I see as being something I have done. I have avoided seeing a homeless person by taking a different route. During COVID, we would not go near people for fear of catching a germ. 

Summary: Jesus encounters a Samarian woman at the well, an outcast by many Jews simply because of her ancestry, and Jesus asks her for a drink. 

Promise: Jesus is the only way of salvation, so all people need Him. Let us treat people in the same way, as people that need Jesus. 

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for this lesson and the simple reminder that I am to love and accept all people and not be scared of anyone or avoid anyone. Give me strength and courage to practice this in my everyday life. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's. 

Romans 14:19 - Peace and Mutual Upbuilding

Romans 14:19 - So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.

Message: Building others up

Time: Written in AD 57 from Greece, to the Christians, both Gentile and Jewish in Rome

What the Lord is Saying:

So let us then definitely aim for and eagerly pursue what makes for harmony and for mutual upbuilding of one another. - Amplified

So then we must always aim at those things that bring peace and that helps strengthen one another. - Living Bible

Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another. - New King James Version

For me, the overriding theme I see from this text is having a concern for others. It is a willingness to put aside my own momentary desires or wants in order to build up another person.

The beginning of verse 19 has the same thought in mind in each translation with the phrases, "let us pursue" or "we must always aim" or "let us definitely aim or eagerly pursue". Thus, this isn't a statement of, oh by the way. The overriding thought of the believer in his relations to one another is to seek peace. This is something that is definitive and means I must make a special effort.

Philippians 2:3 says, "do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than ourselves."

I do not think that this means we cannot disagree. I also do not think that this context means unity in thought. Right now, in my life, I am in in a state of personal sacrifice as I raise my children. Their needs are greater than mine own. However, This does not mean I give them everything they want. But I am the parent, the authority, often the strong person, and I need to behave in such a way that I am aiming for eagerly pursuing peace in our relationship. This presents a challenge. It is a daily struggle. I have a need to provide for my family and do those things that are best for them and it is hard to navigate between what they want and what I think is best. I tend to err on the side of giving them what they want which is often at the expense of my own desires. I hope that I am making the right decision but I also think I get too focused on thinking there is only one right decision. I guess I just hope that by giving them what they want I am not harming them.

Well, back to the passage.

I think it is somewhat of a given that I am going to do what's best for myself. And so it is necessary to be reminded that I am to build up others. One of my favorite verses is Ephesians 4:29, which to me says we are to not tear down others with our words, but edify them, or bring them up. 

Warren Wiersbe says that our desire is not to get everyone to agree with us, but to pursue peace. Don't cause others to stumble, but help them to grow and mature in Christ. 

One of the things I liked about attending a small church was the building up that takes place among different age groups. And yet small churches don't always yield this. I attended a small church and people lived in a rural area and were accustomed to being to themselves and not opening up or sharing much. So, the small church didn't guarantee community. 

I've noticed that some churches have two different services, catering to different likes of worship styles. The problem is this manufactures separation rather than community. It may not be the intent, but it is tragic that we cannot compromise.
 
Promise: If I desire to focus on others and everyone does this, then each person's needs will be met.

Hebrews 10:24-25 (NAS)

And let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more, as you see the Day drawing near.