Summary
The story of the Samaritan woman teaches us about acceptance, the importance of worshiping God, and the joy of sharing our faith with others. Just like her, we can invite others to discover the love of Jesus!
Biography
Luke 1:27–2:34; Matthew 1:16, 18, 20: 2:12
A long time ago, in a land called Samaria, there was a woman who came to a well to get water. This woman was known as the Samaritan woman. She was surprised to see a Jewish man named Jesus sitting there because Jews and Samaritans usually did not talk to each other.
A Special Encounter
As the woman approached the well, Jesus said to her, “Please give me a drink.” The woman was taken aback and replied, “How can you, a Jew, ask me for a drink? I am a Samaritan!” Jesus looked at her kindly and said, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would ask him, and he would give you living water.” The woman was confused. “Sir,” she said, “you don’t have a jar, and this well is deep. Where can you get this living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us this well?”
The Gift of Living Water
Jesus smiled and explained, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. The water I give will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
Intrigued, the woman said, “Sir, give me this water so I won’t get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.”
Then Jesus asked her to call her husband. The woman replied, “I have no husband.” Jesus, knowing her heart, said, “You are right when you say you have no husband.
A Special Encounter
As the woman approached the well, Jesus said to her, “Please give me a drink.” The woman was taken aback and replied, “How can you, a Jew, ask me for a drink? I am a Samaritan!” Jesus looked at her kindly and said, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would ask him, and he would give you living water.” The woman was confused. “Sir,” she said, “you don’t have a jar, and this well is deep. Where can you get this living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us this well?”
The Gift of Living Water
Jesus smiled and explained, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. The water I give will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
Intrigued, the woman said, “Sir, give me this water so I won’t get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.”
Then Jesus asked her to call her husband. The woman replied, “I have no husband.” Jesus, knowing her heart, said, “You are right when you say you have no husband.
You have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband.” The woman was amazed. “I can see that you are a prophet!” she exclaimed. She then asked him about worship, explaining that Samaritans worshiped on a mountain while Jews said they should worship in Jerusalem.
The Revelation
Jesus told her, “A time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. True worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.”
The woman said, “I know that the Messiah is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.” Jesus replied, “I, the one speaking to you, am he.”
Sharing the Good News
Just then, Jesus’ disciples returned and were surprised to find him talking with a woman. The Samaritan woman, filled with joy, left her water jar and ran back to her town. “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did! Could this be the Messiah?” she shouted to the people.
Many Samaritans came out to see Jesus, and they believed in him because of the woman’s testimony. They invited him to stay, and he stayed for two days, teaching them about God’s love. Many more people believed because they heard Jesus for themselves.
The Revelation
Jesus told her, “A time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. True worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.”
The woman said, “I know that the Messiah is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.” Jesus replied, “I, the one speaking to you, am he.”
Sharing the Good News
Just then, Jesus’ disciples returned and were surprised to find him talking with a woman. The Samaritan woman, filled with joy, left her water jar and ran back to her town. “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did! Could this be the Messiah?” she shouted to the people.
Many Samaritans came out to see Jesus, and they believed in him because of the woman’s testimony. They invited him to stay, and he stayed for two days, teaching them about God’s love. Many more people believed because they heard Jesus for themselves.