VICTOR LORENZO
John 4:1-42
The transformation of a Samaritan woman from a social outcast to an evangelist. Let her story inspire us.
The Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John the Baptist, so he left for Galilee. At the same time, he was eager to evangelize the Samaritans, so he decided to pass through Samaria.
Seeing the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well and despite the historical animosity between Jews and Samaritans, Jesus engages her in conversation, breaking down social and religious barriers. Jesus understands and transcends cultural divisions.
Jesus asked for water because he was tired and thirsty from the trip, and it was noontime. The Samaritan woman (SW) must have been shocked to see a Jewish man talk to her. Perhaps she wanted to avoid any social interaction at all, given her social status, I.e., living with a man, not her husband.
The Samaritan woman must have known that any Jew is prohibited from touching anything unclean, and that includes food or drinks from the Samaritans. So her initial conversation was like, ‘Why in the world would you ask me for a drink, stranger? It is quite strong and direct for an opening greeting. She then questions Jesus, “Where do you get that living water? Are you greater than our father, Jacob? Jesus, being kind and compassionate, did not answer: do you know I am greater than Jacob?
Jesus then levels up to her level by stating facts of her life. Go and call your husband. She answered: I have no husband. Jesus said: yes, you are right, for you have had five husbands, and the one you now have is not your husband. Jesus goes down to our level of understanding to bring us up to his level. He doesn’t look down on people and talk from above.
The Samaritan woman now calls Jesus’ Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet.” Yet she challenges Jesus on the difference between where Samaritans and Jews worship God. “Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you say that in Jerusalem is the place where people ought to worship.” Jesus then responds, “True worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth.” The place of worship is no longer important but the reason whom we worship. “God is spirit and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”
The woman then leaves her water jar and goes to town. We see here a miracle transformation of the woman from a social outcast to an evangelist. Jesus’ identity becomes clearer: by 4:19, he is a prophet; by 4:29, he is the Christ; and by 4:42, he is the world’s Savior.
The townsfolk hear her testimony: He told me all that I ever did. The Samaritans then meet Jesus and invite him to stay with them, a reminder of his words, ‘Come and see.’ I invite you to come, see, and experience how I live, to know who I am, and to have a personal relationship with me. Jesus stayed two days with them.
“Many more believed because of his word. It is no longer because of what the Samaritan woman had said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that he is indeed the Savior of the world.” The personal encounter with Jesus deepened their faith and trust in Jesus, our Lord and Savior.
From the story of the Samaritan woman, we learn that Jesus transcends all cultural barriers. He understands each of us and comes down to our level. Like the Samaritan woman, we have to leave our old water jar, representing our old way of life, and turn to Jesus and follow a new way of life. True worshipers will worship the father in spirit and truth. We can, therefore, worship God wherever we are and from our hearts.
It is a lesson for us to turn to Jesus daily and converse with him. Come and see, says our Lord. Experience me and establish a personal relationship.