5 Days – An Introduction To Reading The BibleSýnishorn

Encountering Jesus  

In this account in John’s Gospel, an unlikely candidate encounters Jesus. It sends her rushing back to her home town, saying, ‘Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did’ (v. 29). 

1. Who is Jesus? 

When the conversation turns to the subject of the Messiah, Jesus categorically declares, ‘I, the one speaking to you – I am he’ (v. 26). When he starts to speak metaphorically of living water, he is claiming to be the one who can answer her deepest needs (vv. 10, 13–14). 

Some see Jesus as some distant God – but this passage emphasises his humanity. He could be hot, tired, thirsty and hungry. He is certainly not remote. He understands how hard life can be. 

2. What is Jesus like? 

Jesus is the most loving person who has ever lived. He broke all the conventions of his time. First, he broke the rabbinic rules by speaking to a woman in public. Second, he broke the barriers of race (v. 9). Third, he broke the barriers of lifestyle. Jesus was a Jewish religious teacher. The religious did not mix with sinners. But the love of Jesus Christ breaks down every barrier. 

3. What does Jesus offer? 

Well water percolates and then gathers in a stagnant pool. In contrast, Jesus offers ‘a spring of water’ (v. 14), meaning bubbling, running water. This (spiritual) water wells up to eternal life (v. 14). We drink physical water knowing that we will be thirsty again, but this is living, lasting water. Nothing else can satisfy us into eternity. 

4. How did the woman react to Jesus? 

Like many of us, her life was in a mess underneath the surface (see vv. 16–18). She attempted to divert his attention away from her and started talking about mountains (vv. 19–20). 

Perhaps she did not want to face up to the reality of her life: the broken relationships, emptiness and shame. But Jesus came to die for all of us, whatever we have done, and his death on the cross makes forgiveness for everyone possible. 

5. What does Jesus do? 

Through Jesus, the woman’s life was transformed. She received forgiveness for the past. She received new life in the present and eternal life for the future. He still loves to change lives today by giving people the ‘gift of God’ (v. 10): a new and satisfying life that lasts.