(A) Introduction. (Read the reference.)

It will help if we examine briefly the background to the fractured relationship between the Jews and Samaritans. The enmity between the two peoples had its origins in the division of the kingdom in the reign of Rehoboam. Israel became the Jewish Kingdom to the north and adopted Samaria as its capital in the reign of Omri. Judea was the Southern Kingdom with Jerusalem as its capital. In 720 B.C. the Assyrians invaded Israel and captured it. They transported many of the conquered Jews to Media and replaced them with other people from Babylon and else where. The displaced population never returned and the remnant of Jews in the Northern Kingdom intermarried with the incoming foreigners. They became a mixed race.

Later Judea was conquered by the Babylonians. Some of the population was again relocated to Babylon. However they retained their identity and in the time of Ezra and Nehemiah returned to the Southern Kingdom. It was during the period of reconstruction, about 450 B.C., that the Samaritans offered to help rebuild the temple at Jerusalem. This offer was spurned because of their dubious ancestry so they built a rival temple on Mount Gerizim. In 129 B.C. the Jews attacked Samaria and destroyed the temple on Mount Gerizim. By the time of Jesus, to use John's words: Jews did not associate with Samaritans.

(B) The sinner who needed saving.

(1) The Samaritan woman at the well needed saving in spite of her assets which were:

(a) Her attractiveness to men. It is impossible to acquire five husbands and a lover without being attractive to men. It is possible to detect a woman confident in her power to deal with men in her response to Jesus' request for a drink. She replies pertly, perhaps archly, "How is it that thou, being a Jew askest drink of me, who am a woman of Samaria?" v9. A.V. I fancy the Authorised Version captures the woman's tone better than the N.I.V..

(b) Her intelligence. The woman held her own in conversation with Jesus. She probably responded ironically to Jesus' offer of living water by saying: "Sir, you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob?" v11and12. It is worth noting that the woman is already probing the status of Jesus. The Samaritan woman is even more ironical when told that if anyone drank the water that Jesus gave they would never thirst again. "Sir, give me this water so that I won't get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water." When Jesus exposed the woman's private life she was quick to move to the safer ground of religious controversy albeit after recognising him as a prophet.

(c) Her independence. The woman hardly lived a conventional life. She had been divorced several times to marry the men who took her fancy. The woman was a free spirit, she did what made her happy regardless of the consequences.

I wonder if we long to be like the Samaritan woman. It seems that teenage girls worry incessantly about their appearance and attractiveness to the opposite sex. Even I, in moments of weakness, wish I had more sex appeal! Another concern of our young people is academic success. How wonderful to be really clever and able to excel without undue exertion.

As people get older some yearn to be free; free from family ties like my old friend Mrs M. She was my colleague at school and I often heard her sigh, "My men..... ." Mrs M. had a son, husband and father all living at home. I think she would have been glad to be rid of them all! Others dream of a life without financial worries or the discipline of work. A growing number desire to be released from all church responsibilities. I know of a couple who worked for many years in a small fellowship. The husband couldn't wait to retire and move away from the area to be shot of his duty to the little cause he attended. It is easy in these days of spiritual decline and little encouragement to grow weary in well doing.

It is salutary to realise that the Samaritan woman for all her enviable qualities was dissatisfied with life. She needed saving.

(2) The Samaritan woman needed saving from:

(a) Her shame. When Jesus met the woman she had walked half a mile from her village in the noonday sun to draw water at Jacob's well. She could have used the local well in the cool of the evening. The Samaritan woman did not do so because she wished to avoid the respectable women of Sychar. She was not so thick-skinned and brazen that she could cope easily with their evident disapproval. The promiscuous women was ostracised, an outcast amongst her own sex and at heart ashamed.

It is very, very rare for a man to keep a diary as honestly as Samuel Pepys. Most of us are ashamed of the weaknesses that he writes about: lust, greed, deceit, jealousy and selfishness. We keep them hidden even from those who know us best. Our failings cannot be hidden from God. We may forget about many of the bad things we do. God forgets nothing. If God reminded us of our worst moments how ashamed we would be!

(b) Her ignorance. The Samaritan woman had some views on religion. She was aware of the differences in belief that divided Jew and Samaritan including the right place to worship. Mt Gerizim was considered so important by her people that they had changed the ten commandments in their version of the Pentateuch to identify it as the place men ought always to worship. The woman was quite prepared to give Jesus the benefit of her opinions.

Jesus was not really interested in the Samaritan's views on religion. He said: "If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink ... . v10." "You Samaritans worship what you do not know." v22. The Master draws attention to the woman's ignorance. She did not really know herself or Jesus as the Messiah or God as Father. These were fatal deficiencies for her spiritual welfare. Jesus said, near the end of his ministry: "Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent." John17v3.

We often hear folk say, "You haven't lived if you haven't been to X, or done Y or met Z." My friend, if you don't know Jesus Christ you haven't lived.

There are plenty of people who can discuss religion. You may have all sorts of wacky ideas but strange opinions that impress your acquaintances cut no ice with God. Unless we know Jesus personally and have God as our Father we are lost and need a Saviour without delay. Jesus said: "I am the way and the truth and the life - no many cometh to the Father but by me." The man who puts his trust in his own beliefs is a bit like a drowning sailor who thinks he can get safe to land in the empty match box he keeps in his pocket.

Her discontent. The woman's discontent was evident from a succession of failed relationships. It is probable that she was searching for the perfect man; one to whom she could give the worship that was due to God. Or, maybe, she longed for a man who really understood her - as only God could actually understand her. The woman ends up disillusioned with life. We get a hint of her weariness in the remark: "Sir, give me this water so that I won't get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water." v15.

The daily journey to the well was a perfect illustration of the Samaritan woman's discontent. Jesus said of Jacob's well: "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again." v13. The well, and it was a fine 100 feet deep well, symbolised the external things that give temporary satisfaction. For the Samaritan woman it was her love affairs and conquests. But they did not bring lasting satisfaction. She ditched five husbands!

I saw a program on the film star and inventor Heddy Lamarr last week. She was a woman of outstanding beauty and intelligence who married six times. None of the relationships brought her lasting happiness. She remained to the end of her days a discontented, unfulfilled and miserable woman.

There are twin wells that I have often turned to for satisfaction - success and recognition. I always felt good after getting a high score at cricket. For two or three days I was on top of the world. It gave me such gratification. By the end of the week I needed another big innings to slake my thirst for success. It was the same at school. A good set of examination results was very satisfying but after a few weeks I was striving to repeat or improve the next year's Geography grades. There was no lasting contentment in success or recognition - I kept going back to the well.

So it is with so many. Some of my friends love their holidays abroad. It gives them something to look forward to and enjoy. But those holidays provide no lasting cure for discontent. My friends keep returning to the well for more.

There are others who get pleasure from buying new things. It is like a drug! Consumers never have enough - new car, new computer, new TV, new kitchen, new clothes - but no lasting satisfaction. Some ladies are never happier than when drawing water at the well of fashion!

There is a cure:

Come, ye weary, heavy laden,
Bruised and ruined by the Fall;
If you tarry till your better,
You will never come at all.
Not the righteous -
Sinners, Jesus came to call.

The encounter between Jesus and the Samaritan woman shows Jesus doing what he did best. There are four things to note:

(1) His single mindedness.
The A.V. has it that: He must needs go through Samaria. John4v4. Jesus enters territory many Jews did their best to avoid in his search for the lost. He was prepared to associate with 'heretics.' Some militant Protestants used to criticise Billy Graham for involving Roman Catholics in his campaigns. The evangelist was only doing what Jesus did. Paul followed in the footsteps of his master when he claimed: I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. ICor9v22.

Jesus waits by the well. A despised Samaritan turns up - a most unlikely candidate for the Kingdom of Heaven. What is worse the Samaritan is a woman. Some Pharisees were so worried about entertaining lustful thoughts that rather than look at a woman they closed their eyes. They were called 'bruised and bleeding Pharisees' because they were always bumping into things. Worse still she is an immoral woman. A man could destroy his reputation by just talking to a tart like her. She is the one Jesus has been waiting for!

Is Jesus waiting by the well for you? Perhaps he has been waiting some time! He is still looking out for sinners. It doesn't matter how bad you are. The work Jesus does best is redeeming the lost.

(2) His graciousness.
Jesus was weary, hungry and thirsty but he was not too tired to converse with a bold but faded beauty. Jesus took his time. First of all he engages the woman's interest. He doesn't frighten her off. Jesus certainly never patronised the Samaritan. When she posed a religious question his answer included profound truths about the nature of God and worship.

Is this how Christians witness today? It is easy to get angry with people like the Samaritan woman - to condemn and frighten sinners off. Do we forget that Jesus is the Great Physician and that there is no human condition beyond his saving power.

In his book, 'What's So Amazing About Grace', Philip Yancey tells the story of a prostitute who came to a worker among the down-and-out in Chicago for help. The woman was very upset. She had been renting out her two-year-old daughter for sex in order to feed a drug habit. The person to whom the prostitute poured out her story did not know how to respond. He asked her if she had considered going to a church for help. The woman cried out in horror: "Church! Why should I ever go there? I already feel terrible about myself. They'd just make me feel worse." But we Christians surely believe that Jesus came to seek and to save the lost!

(3) His honesty.
Jesus, like any competent physician, diagnoses the Samaritan woman's problem. He exposes her shame. Why else should he tell her: "Go call your husband." v16. He deals with her ignorance. She is told: "You Samaritan's worship what you do not know." v22. He highlights her discontent: "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again." v13.

Jesus does not gloss over what keeps the woman from God. The gospel preacher has to be honest and deal with what might be keeping you from the living water - new life in Christ. It could be complacency - you think you are all right as you are. I hope it isn't defiance and you are not muttering: 'If God can't accept me as I am, He will just have to do without me.' Maybe, like Nicodemus, it is caution. You are prepared to offer Jesus conditional support and make a limited commitment. For many it is the numerous distractions of life - those wells of water that provide temporary satisfaction - work and recreation.

If Jesus had to deal with that Chicago prostitute with the drug problem he would eventually confront her with what was keeping her from God. It wasn't the sex or the drugs or even the shameful way she treated her daughter. It was probably the excuses. So long as she thought of herself as a victim and thus not responsible for the mess she was in Jesus could not help her. Repentance is only possible if we accept that we are to blame. Salvation is obtained by wholeheartedly, unreservedly, helplessly throwing ourselves upon Christ's mercy.

(4) His provision.
The Great Physician specialises in a terminal condition - death. He is not powerless! He does not wash his hands of us. Jesus does not shrug his shoulders and send us home to die. He isn't a quack. No! No! No! Jesus has an effective remedy. He offers us himself. He is the living water. It is through him that we can ask for the gift of God - new life. Jesus said: "But whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." v13.

We need to look at this promise carefully:

(a) What thirst does Jesus satisfy? It would be wrong to claim that Jesus satisfies all our needs. When we are physically hungry we need bread. A woman whose maternal instincts are aroused needs children. A child at school struggling with his work needs encouragement.

It will help us to think about the discontent of the Samaritan woman. Which of her needs did Jesus satisfy? I think she may have desired more than anything else: someone - someone to admire unreservedly, someone who understood her, someone who wanted the best for her, someone to direct her, to help her achieve her full potential, someone to give meaning and purpose to her life, someone to make her whole, someone who would be her friend. The woman knew that her life was empty, futile and unrewarding. She needed someone to fill it. That is what she had been searching for - someone to fill her life - her ideal man.

Now I can honestly say that Jesus does fill my life. I admire him. He understands me. I know that Jesus wants the best for me. He has given my life direction and purpose. He makes me whole and is my friend.

We taste Thee, O Thou living Bread,
And long to feast upon Thee still;
We drink of Thee, the Fountain-head,
And thirst our souls from Thee to fill.

(b) The new life in Christ is like a spring. This is a realistic analogy. The flow from a spring fluctuates. My devotion to Jesus, my enthusiasm for his service and the satisfaction I get from being a Christian is not constant. In dry periods we may find ourselves going back to the earthly wells. But during showers of blessing our new life is like a gushing spring. There is a spontaneity, liveliness, excitement, freshness and irresistible power about our spiritual lives. We make an impact upon others!

(c) New life in Christ eventually erupts like a fountain. However intermittent the flow on earth a day is coming when the new life that Jesus gives will cascade into eternal life - the ultimate bliss, rapture and everlasting joy.

(D) A saved sinner.

The Samaritan woman was saved:

(a) She surrendered to Jesus' authority.
The woman accepted the diagnosis of Jesus. She kept repeating: "He told me everything I ever did." v39.

We have to accept Jesus' assessment of our lives to be saved. If you asked Jesus what he thought of you he would say, "You are a needy sinner." Then you must surrender to him - yield your life to him - stop resisting and trust in him. You must let Jesus reel you in. Like a hooked fish you may have been resisting the pull of the fisherman. Let him reel you in to the safety of his net. The water you are swimming in is polluted. He will release you into the pure waters of the river of life.

(c) She confessed Christ.
The woman abandoned her water jar. It is doubtful if she even gave Jesus a drink! She was so keen to go and tell others about Jesus. She went to the town and said: "Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Christ?" v29.

Believer, it is vital to confess Christ. Tell others that you love him. Two young things hopelessly in love are not ashamed for their friends and family to know. Witness to Jesus through baptism and encourage his church.

(c) She was enthusiastic about Jesus.
This was a distinguishing feature of her new life. There is something fresh and sparkling about a spring. It is something to be bubbling for joy because Jesus is in our hearts. Such was this woman's enthusiasm for the Lord that: Many Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman's testimony. v39. Remarkable things are achieved when Christians have enthusiasm for Jesus.

I heard the voice of Jesus say,
Behold I freely give
The living water, thirsty one,
Stoop down and drink and live.
I came to Jesus and I drank
Of that life-giving stream,
My thirst was quenched, my soul revived
And now I live in him.