The Samaritan woman

The Samaritan woman
John 4:1-42

This woman made many mistakes—too many husbands—so she collected water at midday to avoid public confrontation.

Jesus surprisingly talked with her even though she was:

• 
A Samaritan, despised by Jews and deemed unclean
• A woman, to whom men were prohibited to talk in public
• A stranger.

What is wonderful to me is that this was the longest conversation Jesus had with anyone in the Bible!

Jesus asked for a drink—another shocking development, since “Jews do not share things in common with Samaritans.”

Jesus still reached out with words of compassion and challenge, pointing to the living waters of a life lived in relationship with God.

The magnitude of knowing Jesus was the Messiah moved her so profoundly she left her water vessel behind to pronounce this message to the village. She brought many people to faith.

In Lent, we are offered the living waters of Christ.

This passage reminds me that humanity creates the barriers and Jesus casts them down.

It offers me, as a woman, a glimpse into the feminine face of God.

Susan Bird, Hamilton.