BYM ONLINE DESK Blessing English May 2017 | Page 2

Sewer turned Sower!
(John 4)
Dr. Mrs. Lilian Stanley
To understand John chapter 4, we must first
understand about the Samaritans. Samaria was between
Judea and Galilee so much so any Jew traveling from Galilee
to Judea or Judea to Galilee needed to go through it. Many
Jews, because of the aversion they had for the Samaritans,
took a longer route to avoid cutting across Samaria. Bethel is
a well-known place in Samaria and Jeroboam used it as a
holy place to displace the religious authority of Jerusalem.
He set up one of his golden calves here and established his
idolatrous priesthood (1Ki 12:28). When Assyria invaded
Samaria, the inhabitants were deported in mass to Assyria
and Assyrian settlers brought in to replace them. The new
comers presumably intermarried with the Israelite remnant
and were known as Samaritans. On the return from captivity
of the Jews, the Samaritans sought a share in the rebuilding
of Jerusalem, but were firmly rebuffed by the Jews in their
drive for racial purity (Ezra 4:2). At no time had the
bitterness between the Samaritans and Jews been greater
than at the time of Christ. John 4 is therefore remarkable; the
buying of food in Sychar, the tete-a-tete at Jacob's Well and
the subsequent evangelisation of the area. Incidentally, the
good news brought in by the lepers, was at Samaria.
The Samaritans' religion was based on the Pentateuch
alone; but the Jews had so much more. The Samaritans built
themselves a temple on Mt. Gerizim. After their temple was
destroyed by the Maccabees they worshipped on the Mount
in the open.
Unlike the other Jews who abhorred the Samaritans,
Jesus Christ decided to walk through the road less travelled.
How many of us would put ourselves in the path of non-
Christians willingly? Seclusion has become a kind of creed.
Jesus was tired and hungry and plopped at the well, totally
spent. What a contrast to our easy-chair religion! Even
though it was an accepted custom that Jews don't ask water
from the Samaritans, Jesus broke the custom and made a
point of contact. Jesus was a strapping young man of thirty,
so vulnerable. Yet He talked to an immoral woman in that
rustic setting on touchy subjects. He knew, she needed the
good news. From Samaria He had another long journey to
Galilee. Yet He took the time to show her the way. It was not
a crowd, just one woman. One lost, broken woman was
important to Him. He spent His energy and time for her,
patiently clearing her doubts. She was a mustard seed that
became a banyan tree. Thus He made inroads into Samaria.
He had a clear objective. The very purpose for which He
came to earth needed to be fulfilled. Life was not a pleasure
trip for Him.
Christ's mind was full of leading her to eternal life. “If
you knew,” He said. There are millions around us who “do
not know” about the free gift of salvation that Jesus Christ
has to offer. “... you would have asked Him and He would
have given you living water.” If people knew about this free
offer they would ask and He would give them. But who
would go and tell these ignorant people that there is
something freely offered and they should take advantage of
it before the last date? (Rom 10:14,15). She did not know the
Saviour standing at the door and knocking. Who will tell
them except you? Too long we have been hiding behind the
bush. It is our responsibility. He doesn't throw away His gift
for anybody to pick it up. He gives to those who ask. Living
water is for those who thirst.
“He would have given you.” There is no negative
answer. He doesn't interview for the right candidates. It is for
all who ask. What? Living Water! Not the water that satisfies
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