“A woman of Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give Me a drink.” (John 4:7) Jesus’ request was surprising for several reasons. First of all, in that time, men and women typically DID NOT SPEAK TO EACH OTHER in public—especially if they were not married or related. Secondly, the woman in question was a Samaritan. Samaritans were hated by most Jews to begin with. In fact, Rabbinic law declared that Samaritan women were PERPETUALLY UNCLEAN. Interacting with her, especially in a way that would involve contact, would have been UNTHINKABLE FOR A TYPICAL RABBI. “…the woman said to Jesus, “How is it that You, being a Jew, ask a drink from me, a Samaritan woman?” For Jews have NO DEALINGS with Samaritans.” (John 4:9) Jews typically refused even the slightest contact with Samaritans. “The woman then LEFT HER WATERPOT, went her way into the city, and said to the men, “Come, see a Man who TOLD ME ALL THINGS THAT I EVER DID…many of the Samaritans of that city BELIEVED IN HIM because of the word of the woman who testified, “He told me all that I ever did.” (John 4:28-29, 39)
This was not His first time to do something like this, Jesus broke the ceremonial law of cleanness by TOUCHING A LEPER, which Jews were NOT ALLOWED TO DO. “…a leper came and worshiped Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.” Then Jesus PUT OUT HIS HAND AND TOUCHED HIM, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” Immediately HIS LEPROSY WAS CLEANSED.” (Matt. 8:2-3)
NOW HE IS GOING TO TALK TO AN ADULTEROUS WOMAN, “…the scribes and Pharisees brought to Jesus a woman caught in adultery. And when they had set her in the midst, they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But WHAT DO YOU SAY?” This they said, TESTING HIM, that they might have something of which TO ACCUSE HIM. But Jesus stooped down and WROTE (their sins) on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear.” (John 8:3-6) Jesus said, “if you have NO SIN throw a stone at her” Then He wrote out more of their sins and all of them left. “Jesus raised up and said to her, “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?” She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; GO AND SIN NO MORE.“ (John 8:10-11)
THEY WANTED TO TEST JESUS BUT ALL WALKED AWAY UNDER CONVICTION…
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham