Jesus The Great Soul Winner

John 4:1-26

Introduction: When it comes to soul-winning there is no one who is equal to the care and concern that Jesus shows.

In this passage, we can learn some very specific things that Jesus did that will enhance our ability to witness to people.

As we study this passage, see not only what Jesus did, but let us also see the result of His witnessing to the woman of Samaria.

What did Jesus do that makes Him such a great soul winner?

1. He was willing to go out of His way to win a soul (vs. 1-8).

A. Jesus leaves Judaea, and goes into Galilee to a city of Samaria, called Sychar. The journey would have taken some time and during this journey Jesus was physically challenged as a man (vs. 1-5).

B. As we see, Jesus was weary, but no matter, He would have gone anywhere to win a soul (vs. 6).

C. As He is resting on Jacob's well, a woman of Samaria comes to draw water. Upon seeing her approach, Jesus asks her for a drink (vs. 7).

D. Understand that Jesus is all alone, is tired from His trip, and spends the time waiting for the return of His disciples in the best way possible, in witnessing to a lost soul (vs. 8).

2. He was willing to overcome any and all racial barriers (vs. 9-12).

A. Upon hearing His request, notice that the woman recognizes that He is a Jew, and she then asks Him why He is speaking to her, since she was a Samaritan. Understand that the Samaritans were Jews who had intermarried with Gentiles or pagans. To most Jews the Samaritans were considered half-breeds or dogs. The Pharisees especially had a nasty disposition for them. When Jesus would later speak a parable about a Samaritan assisting a man who was injured after being attacked by bandits or the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37), notice the Pharisees would even show by their answer to Jesus' question concerning which person became the neighbor to the man, that they loathed having to tell Jesus that the Samaritan had done a good thing (vs. 9).

B. Jesus then spoke to the woman and said that if she knew the gift of God or salvation. Further, if she knew Who He was, the Messiah. She would in turn ask Him for living water (vs. 10).

C. Still ignorant concerning the identity of Jesus and the importance of His message, she tells Him that the well is deep, so how could He give her water, since He did not have any utensil to draw it out of the well (vs. 11).

D. She then perceived that there was something special about this man, and therefore she asked Him was He greater than Jacob, who had originally given to them this well? Jacob had used it to nourish his family and beasts, now it was her time to use it also. As you will notice, Jesus does not boast of His position, although you and I have the advantage and know that Jesus was much greater than Jacob. Rather Jesus will now give her a message that will show her His greatness (vs. 12).

3. He was willing to give to her a simple message that could change her life forever (vs. 13-18).

A. Jesus stuck to a simple message of salvation, using again the water as the example.

B. Jesus said to the woman, that the well from which she was drawing water, would not satisfy the longing of her body, much less her soul for too long. Eventually she would get thirsty again and have to return to the well to draw out more water (vs. 13).

C. Jesus then told her, the water that He could give to her, would satisfy her longing forever. The water that He could give to her, would not dry up overtime, would totally satisfy her soul, and it would continue to multiply her blessings from God. His water was eternal, unlike the well; His water was satisfying, unlike the well; His water would give her everlasting life, unlike the well (vs. 14).

D. The Samaritan woman naturally wanted this water, especially since in her mind it would save her work or toil. She would not have to come and draw again (vs. 15).

E. Jesus then had to share more with her in order to open up her understanding. Jesus now tells her to call for her husband. The woman answered Jesus that she had no husband. Obviously, this woman had been involved in many marital relationships. Seizing upon the opportunity, Jesus tells her about her past marital relationships, and even now tells her that she was living in sin with a man who was not her husband (vs 16-18).