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In John 4 there are five people or groups of people that interact with Jesus: the woman at the well, the Samaritans of Sychar, the disciples, the Galileans, and a Capernaum nobleman.

As the woman of Sychar came to the well outside the city, she found Jesus waiting for her. Jesus had a divine appointment to make with this woman and He was right on time. A couple of things of importance must be noted before an analysis can be made of Jesus’ interaction with this woman. First, this woman went to the well alone. Unlike the other women of the city who usually went to the well at the same approximate time in the evening, she went in the afternoon (the “sixth hour”). Secondly, Jesus was a Jew and the woman was a Samaritan. Hatred and contempt were the normal feelings held one toward the other.

Jesus responds to her rather bitter and sarcastic question by zeroing in on her soul’s thirst needs. He starts this process by calling to her mind the mental image of a bubbling, “alive”, spring of water. The kind of water that was always preferred was the running, fresh water of bubbling springs and streams alive with oxygen and minerals.

She responds to Jesus with both doubt and hurt hope. She conveyed doubt because Jesus did not have a bucket to catch water with. But behind her next two statements one can see a hurt hope that is longing for something different and able to quench her soul’s hurt. Why do I say this? First, she asks where this water source can be found. Implying her desire to go elsewhere for her water so she wouldn’t have to run into all the people she is avoiding and being rejected by. Secondly, she is looking for someone or something greater than what the Samaritans already have with their religion and traditions. This woman is “burned-out” from the lifestyle she has lived. She sought to fill the thirst in her soul for secure relationship with numerous unsuccessful, and illicit relationships with men. Through it all, the void and thirst are still there. Jesus’ goal is to make her more aware of her soul thirst so that she will be more open to receiving the “living water” He has to offer her.

Verse 15 finds her asking for the water she does not have to come to the well for. Jesus, however, goes to the heart of the trouble (v. 16-19)—her soul’s thirst. He taps into her soul pain. All of her past strategies to relieve this pain has failed--men and ritual religion.

Her response shows that she is not resisting Jesus’ pull into spiritual-soul issues (v. 19-20). She asks Jesus about worship, and by this opens up to Jesus His next step to evangelize her. Jesus responds with a non-typical Jewish view. “But the hour is coming, and now is, when true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth: for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” The woman is perceptive at this point and recognizes the uniqueness of what Jesus said. Her mind at this point recalls the things she has heard about the coming Messiah’s ministry and says of Him, “When He comes, He will tell us all things.”

Jesus stuns her by directly saying that He is the Messiah. Much to her credit she instantly accepts His statement as true. Everything Jesus said and did up to this point was seen to be consistent with Messiah. He was kind, loving, caring, knowledgeable, and wise in spiritual issues. There were no contradictions in Him that would cause her to doubt His declaration. She then “left her waterpot, went her way into the city, and said to the men, come, see a man who told me all things that I ever did. Could this be the Christ?” The reader can feel the hope in her voice. “Oh, I hope this is Him,” her heart cried.

In verses 32-38, Jesus responds to the disciples’ admonition to eat by looking toward the eager and curious crowd approaching and says that He has something more important to do. He invites His disciples to join Him in that task—reaping the harvest of hungry souls for the Father’s kingdom. Many of the Samaritans of Sychar believed that He was indeed the Messiah and urged Him to dwell with them. Jesus stayed and ministered for two days and many believed in Him. These people were not encumbered by all the Pharisaic rules and regulations. The person of Christ, His qualities, and the truth he spoke found honest, receptive hearts. Unlike the Jewish religious leaders, who were busy protecting their theological and political positions, these people were hungry and waiting for truthful guidance and messianic acceptance.

Next, Jesus goes to Galilee where He previously turned water to wine. As a result of that miracle, many came to see and hear Him. Among them was a nobleman with a sick son seeking healing for him. But Jesus has something more in mind for this encounter.

Is this nobleman’s request for healing a test, a selfish request, or was it sincere and genuine? Jesus knew the answer, but the crowd (including the disciples) did not. Jesus is not a circus performer whose purpose is to entertain. And Jesus is not bowing to Pharisaic unbelief that demands a “sign”. He wanted those around Him to know these things. He asks the man, “Are you seeking a sign like so many others are, and refuse to believe unless you see one?” The nobleman’s response is genuine and touching. “Sir, come for my child’s sake!” Notice the man calls Jesus “sir”. As a nobleman he was very conscious about authority and submission issues. Others called him “sir” often. The man extends himself to Jesus and essentially says, “Please help me!” Jesus does! This man does not want a sign, he does not want to test Jesus; he wants Jesus to heal his dying son and believed He could do it. This seems extraordinary to me! Where is the precedent for believing this? Do you think he would ever walk up to any other religious leader and ask him for this type of healing?

The cleanness of this man’s faith is shown by what happens afterward. When the man arrives after the long journey home, he learns that Jesus kept His word. His son was well. He and his whole household, servants included, believed in Jesus. A righteous man bows to his Lord! It strikes me how often people of true faith are not religious leaders. To which of the religious leaders did Jesus ever complement their faith or grant them a healing miracle? It is the people who value goodness and decency that respond to Jesus. Not “i” dotters and “t” crossers! Even when a self-indulgent, wicked man believes on Jesus, it is because he sees in Jesus a Deliverer from sin and the granter of righteousness and goodness. One that does not value goodness will never “go” to Jesus. Jesus holds His arms out and says “Come.” Those who “go” want forgiveness granted to them and goodness infused within. This nobleman found what he was looking for, the answer to previous prayers, God’s forgiveness and inner healing.

Copyright by James W. Skeen