Reflections on Samaritan Woman in John 4

Hi,

Re-reading the story of Samaritan woman fascinates me. Many see and now rephrase what we have been taught for decades if not centuries. Many like me sense that: 

 -She knew her theological history pretty well. 

 -She was not immoral as it is assumed to be. 

 -She could go anytime to fetch water. Many people avoid rush hours and crowds for various reasons. It does not mean she had ill-reputation, people listened to her. 

 -Had 5 husbands. Could be widowed 5 times -or could divorced (for no fault of her own? 🤷‍♀️) a man could divorce for any and every reason in those days. 

 -or mix of being widowed sometimes and divorced at other. (We may know of someone/few like I do of someone who is widowed twice and divorced from physically, financially, mentally and destructive marriage and in her 4th marriage). 

-she could have lived with a male relative or their families. (Not uncommon in Eastern culture. Many single women live with relatives. Or she may be in a live in relationship 🤷‍♀️ we don't know 🙏grace!!!) 

 -She hoped in a Messiah. 🙏 

-She debated with Jesus. 🙂 

-Even though Jesus asks question about her husband it seems more about earning her confidende than showing her sin. Jesus succeeded. 

 -Even though He showed her clear difference between Samaritan not knowing and Jews knowing and Salvation from Jews, He showed her a better way, nullifying both ethnical limited understanding. Worship God in spirit and in truth, not on a Samaritan Mountain or Jewish temple. 

 -She mentioned hoping to see Messiah who will teach these. He introduced Himself. ❤❤👍 

-She recognized and upon being interrupted by disciples she leaves her water jar and becomes a first Samaritan woman evangelist spreading the good news. 

I didn't mention before that she feels different that a Jewish man is asking her for a drink. 

- She is even amused He offers her better drink. 

-She sees no rope, no bucket and questions if HE is greater than grandpa Yakub. He eventually tells her who He is and she believes. At times we dont see the "empowering tools" in Jesus hands in our times of need, but continue to reason with the Lord and believe! Press on!! 🙌🙏 

-She also saw the well was deep..how often we think our problems are humungous and deep. 

-She didn't laugh at him mockingly but really wondered if he was greater than the ancestor Yukub!!

-She listened to Him offer living water and desired.

-She made great positive moves. 🙏❤✝️ grace.

In His gracious grip,

K

-by Kalpana aka KC