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).
4. He was willing to overlook her sin and get to the point that she needed salvation (vs.19-26).
A. Not condoning her sin, yet not allowing her sin to stop Him from reaching out to her, Jesus continued his conversation with the woman. She now knowing that Jesus knew about her past and even her present, asks if He were a prophet (vs. 19).
B. Letting Jesus know that she had been instructed in the past to worship God, which she and her people were doing upon the mountain, and knowing that the Jews expected God to be worshiped within the city of Jerusalem, she was now wanting to receive some assurance that what she knew and was doing was good (vs. 20).
C. Jesus now lets her know that when you have a relationship with God, it is not important where you worship Him, just that you worship Him with the whole heart. The act of performing worship ceremonies or even sacrifice was not effective unless done for the right reason and with the whole heart. Remember, Cain and Abel made a sacrifice before God, but only Abel's sacrifice was accepted. Why? Because he gave it with the proper attitude, and in humility before the Lord (Genesis 4:4-5). Jesus told her that one day worship will no longer be in the mountains, in the city, but it will be in the presence of God (Revelation 22). As Jesus would tell her, God is a Spirit, and He must be worshiped for Who He is, and with the whole heart (vs. 21-24).
D. After Jesus shares this message, and pondering His understanding of her need, she then tells Jesus that she understood that the Messiah would one day come, and that He would tell them how to worship, and also help them to understand how to glorify God. Upon this, Jesus reveals to her that He was indeed the Messiah (vs. 25-26).
E. Notice, to the woman Jesus was at first only a Jew. Then she come to recognize Him as the Messiah. Again only when one comes to accept Jesus into their life, can salvation come and the imparting of eternal life (John 3:16; Romans 6:23).
Conclusion: From a chance meeting to a full understanding of worship and commitment, Jesus spoke with this woman of Samaria. Soon the disciples returned and they were surprised to see Jesus speaking with the woman also (vs. 27). Whenever a person gets saved, ever notice their zeal to share with others? The woman now goes and tells the others in the city to come and meet Jesus (vs. 28-29). Many others came, and no doubt, just as with her, Jesus also made it clear that they needed a relationship with God (vs. 30). What about you today? Are you born again, are you committed to God or are you just going through the motions?
Jesus shared that one day many will say that they have done many things in His name, and that He would say, depart for He never knew them (Matthew 7:22-23). Remember works can never bring salvation, only Jesus can make the difference in a person's life. Will you serve Him, will you proclaim Him, and will you introduce Him to your family? See from witnessing to one, Jesus brought salvation to many. You can do the same, just share with the world your faith.
