Fragrance Of His Aroma Series

Title: Smelling Like Jesus

Series: The Fragrance of His Aroma

Introduction

If you would open your Bibles to John 4. I want to take you to one of my favorite passages in the Bible. Now you hear that a lot. To me this is the most intriguing passages in the Bible. In John 3 we are introduced to Nicodemus and Jesus interaction with the religious leaders, a Pharisee. These were those who were the “leading” Jews of the day. They were the community leaders.

Although the government was Roman, both the Roman leaders and the religious leaders knew how not to “upset the apple cart”. They didn’t mind their religious assemblies as long as it did cause a revolution.

In John 4 we are introduced to another individual who is on the other side of this story. She is lost and even would be rejected by society. We actually finding her hiding at the well. Coming out a different time to avoid the people.

(John 4:1) Therefore, when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John

He left to avoid competition between his disciples and John’s disciples. John the Baptist was soon to be put to death.

(John 4:2) (though Jesus Himself did not baptize, but His disciples), (3) He left Judea and departed again to Galilee. (4) But He needed (Gk. Edei “necessity, compulsion, destiny) to go through Samaria.

There was a drawing of the Spirit that was leading Him to go through Samaria. It was often described of Jesus to be “led by the Spirit”. This is how His ministry began as He was “led by the Spirit” into the wilderness”.

(Joh 4:5) So He came to a city of Samaria which is called Sychar, near the plot of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. (6) Now Jacob's well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied from His journey, sat thus by the well. It was about the sixth hour.

So there is history here. This is a historical point. It is recognized by not only the Jews but those around. To me this was a popular meeting place. Everyone needs water.

Having common ground to share our faith is important. It is usually where the Holy Spirit will lead us when we find people who have things in our life that are common. Such as our job. Where we work or where we shop or even where we get our hair cut.

(Joh 4:7) A woman of Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, "Give Me a drink." (8) For His disciples had gone away into the city to buy food. (9) Then the woman of Samaria said to Him, "How is it that You, being a Jew, ask a drink from me, a Samaritan woman?" For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.

This is another interesting note here. Whereas the Jews had separated and isolated themselves from any the Samaritans. The Samartians were considered to be a group of people who had compromised in their religious beliefs. They were brought into the town out of captivity and then would intermarry with those of different faiths.

From the Jews perspective they saw them as compromisers. They saw them as low moral values. This caused them to avoid contact with them. Even father they would go out of their way to avoid the town of Samaria.

But as you can tell this attitude had been reciprocal. The Samaritans had come to accept it. There was an expectation. And even a pride that says what are you doing talking to me.

I believe this is what has happened to our society. Often times the people outside the church see us a isolationist. We have the places and people we avoid. They are shocked when we come around. If we are not careful we can fall into that same air. We could easily look down our noses (as the Pharisees did) at those who don’t fall into our same moral belief.

Yet noticed Jesus response. Instead of feeling rejected, He opens the door up.

(John 4:10) Jesus answered and said to her, "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, 'Give Me a drink,' you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water."

This is where we often fall short or should I say fall into the trap of what debate.

(John 4:11) The woman said to Him, "Sir, You have nothing to draw with, and the well is deep. Where then do You get that living water? (12) Are You greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well, and drank from it himself, as well as his sons and his livestock?"

Jesus had peaked her interest.