Jesus’ Life: Chapter 4 – Jesus’ Ministry In Galilee (Part 1)
Jesus left Judea and set out for Galilee through Samaria. While resting at Jacob’s well, outside the town of Sychar, a Samaritan woman arrived to draw water.
Jesus said to the woman, “Give me some water to drink”. The woman replied, “How can you – a Jew – ask me, a Samaritan woman, for water to drink?” Jesus answered, “If you had known the gift of God and who it is who said to you, ‘Give me some water to drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water”.
Their conversation continued and Jesus proceeded to share with the woman his teachings and, even though they had never met before, He told her of her many sins. (The woman had five previous husbands and the man she was presently living with was not her husband.)
The astonished Samaritan woman replied, “Sir, I see that you are a Prophet”.
The woman left her water jar by the well and went to tell others in her town what had happened at Jacob’s Well saying, “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Surely he can’t be the Messiah, can he?” (John 4:4-42)
Thought
This event transformed the Samaritan woman’s life.
- At first, she was surprised, Jesus, a Jew, hadn’t shown the usual hatred that Jews held for Samaritans.
- Secondly, Jesus knew everything about her past, down to her many sins and husbands.
Reflection
What inspiration can I draw from Jacob’s well?
The story has multiple messages and a wonderful ending. Perhaps, the first simple message is that I should place the needs of others before my own selfishness! Jesus was tired and weary from his travels when he stopped at the well but when the woman arrived, He took the time to teach her God’s Word which led to her conversion to Christianity.
Prayer: Renewal
Lord Jesus,
give us humility wherever pride reigns,
pardon wherever offence abides,
grace wherever sin abounds;
we pray to you;
Jesus Christ, risen Lord,
have mercy on us. Amen.
