Source of Living Water

In Search of Living Water 2

Day 4 : Wednesday, week 1

Read John 4:16-26

The conversation which follows between Jesus and the Samaritan woman concerning her husbands is especially puzzling. At no time does Jesus accuse the Samaritan woman of being a sinner. So what lies behind this discussion?

Well, it appears that the Samaritans during their captivity in Assyria had intermarried and adopted the false gods of five foreign tribes into their worship (2 Kgs 17:13-34). When the remnants of the people eventually returned to Samaria, they brought these additions to their worship with them. So, when the woman says to Jesus that she has no husband and he agrees with her, we understand this as a classical, prophetic way of denouncing false worship.

This may well be the most logical interpretation of this text but why is this woman fetching water alone at noon the hottest time of the day? By tradition, village women ordinarily fetch water in the freshness of the early morning or in the early evening. Perhaps the familiar understanding of the text that her life-style ostracized her from the other women still holds some weight.

Reflection

Who are the false Gods whom I worship?
Have I ever felt excluded from a group? How did I handle this situation?
Are there times when I have gone out of my way to avoid meeting a person? Why? These questions invite me to take time for a personal conversation with God.

Prayer

Isaiah 12: 1a, 2b, 3

You will say in that day;
I will give thanks to you, O Lord, …
For the Lord God is my strength
and my might; He has become my salvation.
With joy you will draw water from the wells
of salvation.

Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name;
make known his deeds among the nations;
proclaim that his name is exalted.

My Personal Prayer

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