Thursday, February 5, 2015

Thinking about The Woman at the Well

"Soon a Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, 'Please give me a drink.'  The woman was surprised, for Jews refuse to have anything to do with Samaritans.  She said to Jesus, 'You are a Jew, and I am a Samaritan woman.  Why are you asking me for a drink?' " John 4:7, 9

Wow!  Can you picture this scene?  Let me fill in a few details: it's high noon, the hottest part of the day when most people are taking a siesta or meeting for lunch in town, inside, which is where Jesus' disciples are!  Meaning, Jesus is alone with this woman.  Which begs the question: why are these two down at the well?!

Scholars have speculated and tried their best to give reasons why.  There are chapters & books & studies & lectures on all the possibilities!  But why do you think this encounter is written out for us?  And why, if it's so important, does this woman not have a name?  We have speculated before as to why some people are nameless in the Bible.  This story gives rise to a possibility we haven't yet mentioned.  This new possibility came to me as I woke this morning, but I don't want to share it just yet.  Think in ink and then share your ideas in the comment section.  I can't wait to read your thoughts on this!!  I'll share mine after our discussion on Friday morning.

I once had a pastor that introduced me to the word "God-incidence".  He said there is no such thing as 'coincidence', that when things come together it's for a very specific reason.  Do you think this story is coincidence or God-incidence?  Ms. Higgs points out 3 passages that may help us answer that question.  Read Job 31:4, Proverbs 16:9 and Jeremiah 19:23 and journal how these verses might comfort or encourage you.  Can you recall a time of God-incidence in your life?  If not, keep your heart and mind open to the possibility in the future.  I truly believe that it has happened to you, though you may not have recognized it.

Finally, we have to ask ourselves what this story has to do with life today?  What does this mean for me & you?  We may not share her exact sins, but we do share her thirst for fulfillment.  Have you seen a commercial?  Or looked at a print ad?  It seems every car company, gadget maker, jewelry store, restaurant, and diet plan has the answers we need to live a fabulously fulfilling life!  But as Christians we know, deep in our hearts, that filling our Pandora bracelet isn't the same as filling our heart.
In the companion study guide book, Ms. Higgs suggests re-reading John 4: 11-15, pointing out that the woman at the well was thirstier than she realized, and asks, "what are you thirsty for, spiritually?".  What a great question, followed up with "what have you been reaching for (work, hobby, materialism, busyness) instead of the living water Christ offers?
Oh, ouch!  That's where it hits home for me!  Looking everywhere but to Christ, for my self-worth, direction, affirmation, and fulfillment.  As a mother and wife, I also see it and try to head it off at the pass, for my husband and children.  If we aren't immune to the pressure of advertising and lure of shiny promises, how much more are our children drawn into this false sense of worth.

This simple story of a "chance" (not really) meeting at the town well is filled with hope and promise!  This woman at the well sets an example of how we should quench our spiritual thirst (don't be afraid to ask questions and seek answers from the Lord).  And what we should do afterwards.  Despite what the townspeople think of her, she does not hesitate to run to tell them about her meeting the Messiah and the Living Water he has to offer!  How will you be like the woman at the well in your life?

I am so excited to discuss this story with you!  Click here to start an on-line discussion in the comment section!

Your Partner in Ministry,

Shelly
warrior

"Kind words are like honey - sweet to the soul and healthy for the body."  Proverbs 16:24


1 comment:

Shelly said...

We have talked about why some people (especially these women) are nameless: they are known by their relationship to men; it's not their story, just a player in someone else's; they can better be a representation for "any woman", to name a few. But this story suggested to me another possibility for the Woman at the Well. Perhaps she is nameless because it's not 'who' she was that mattered, but her story. What happened to her 'at the well' and her actions, are what we need to focus on. And when we refer to the story, "the woman at the well", anyone who is familiar with it immediately has an image of what happened, is drawn into the story and memories are retrieved. While we agreed in our live discussion, we could still get that if she was "Judy at the well", we have to be satisfied with what we have. No daughter will be named "woman" or "well" in honor of this lady, but we can all strive to be like her: seeking the Messiah, open to His offer of Living Water, and eager to tell others!