The Salvation Of A Samaritan Sinner

The Salvation Of A Samaritan Sinner

Text: John 4: 25-29

Intro: One thing that invariably stands out when reading about Christ’s personal dealings with people is His magnificent wisdom. Jesus knew just how to approach every person. He always knew how to get to the heart of the problem in a person’s heart. The Apostle John alludes to this idea when he says, “…he knew all men, and needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man” (John 2: 24b-25).

The account found in John chapter four is a perfect example of Christ’s knowledge of human nature. Here we see not only Christ’s knowledge of human nature, but also His wisdom and love in dealing with it. In spite of all the Savior knew about those He dealt with, He loved them just the same. Very few of us can lay claims to that kind of love and compassion.

The kind of love that Jesus had for people was such that only God could possess. In stark contrast to the surface and selfish love so prevalent in our world today, Jesus shows a non-condemning attitude toward this Samaritan woman. This was in spite of the fact that Jesus was fully aware of this woman’s lifestyle.

But Jesus’ acceptance and lack of condemnation toward this woman actually kept the lines of communication open between them. Jews and Samaritans were historic enemies. Had Christ’s approach been one of judgment and condemnation, this woman would likely have never been saved.

Let’s listen and learn as Jesus communicates with this Samaritan sinner.

Theme: The wisdom and love of Jesus is seen in:

I. THE COMING OF THE WOMAN

A. Notice The Circumstances.

1. Jesus had left Judea to avoid trouble with the Pharisees.

John 4: 1 “When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John,

2 (Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,)

3 He left Judaea, and departed again into Galilee.”

2. Jesus had an appointment along His path.

John 4: 4 “And he must needs go through Samaria.

5 Then cometh he to a city of Samaria, which is called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph.

6 Now Jacob’s well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour.”

NOTE: Jesus’ side trip into Sychar was no accident. It was an appointment. We would do well to remember that in one sense, there are no accidents in the life of the child of God.

Rowland V. Bingham, founder of the Sudan Interior Mission, was once seriously injured in an automobile accident. He was rushed to a hospital in critical condition.

The following day, when he regained consciousness, he asked the nurse what he was doing there. "Don’t try to talk now, just rest," she replied. "You have been in an accident."

"Accident? Accident!" exclaimed Dr. Bingham. "There are no accidents in the life of a Christian. This is just an incident in God’s perfect leading."

Source Unknown.

B. Notice The Conversation.

1. The woman was amazed.

John 4: 7 “There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink.

8 (For his disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat.)

9 Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? For the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.”

NOTE: [1] The amazement of this woman stemmed from two factors:

1a. Tremendous hatred existed between the Jews and Samaritans. The Jews viewed Samaritans as nothing more than dogs. Normally, a devout Jew would take the eastern route around the land of Samaria.

1b. The prejudices of the day prohibited conversation between men and women in public. Rabbis or men of high degree especially frowned upon this.

[2] Isn’t it wonderful to know that Jesus loves the social outcast as well as the socially acceptable? Jesus’ ministry was concerned with basically one group of people—the lost. Jesus Himself put it like this: “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19: 10).

2. Jesus makes an assertion.

John 4: 10 “Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.”

NOTE: [1] In essence Jesus said, “Dear lady, if you had known who I am, you’d really be amazed that I had asked anything of you.” Oh folks, listen! Not only did the Son of God humble Himself to talk to a mere human being, but He talked to one considered to be the lowest of the low to a Jew.