That Jesus not only spoke to women but entered into discussion with them, ate with them, lived among them, and loved them is a profound, often overlooked aspect of His life and ministry. In those days women were tolerated in the male-dominated world…to serve men. They were treated as lesser-than men in society as reflected in the law at the time. They had meaning only insomuch as they served men in the domicile, and in society. They were generally not sought after for their thoughts, insights, or leadership.
If you read the account of the woman at the well and really pay attention to it so that you live it out in your mind, you can see that she was actually being quite flippant with Jesus, and dare I say, downright defiant? She spoke as a woman embittered by life, as so many women in that day were, I am sure. Here was this strange man who demanded something from her while she was carrying out yet another mundane daily chore. He was probably the spark that ignited her seething fuse and she ‘went off on him’ once he spoke to her.
We can understand that she was undoubtedly living under a chronic degree of anger about her subservient role of ‘woman’, and not just any Hebrew woman, but as a lowly Samaritan woman who was not of the ‘chosen’ clan of the Jews. She was a serial divorcee and wife (of 5 previous husbands), and also knew the reality of living in sexual immorality since the current man she lived with was not her husband. She undoubtedly had children of various fathers. Men in those times could divorce a woman for any reason, and one gathers that her biting tongue might have been some of the reason for this lady’s difficulties. We can imagine this as a vicious cycle of being redeemed by a man only to be discarded by him (partially of her own doing) and feeling like a victim in this. This anger leaked out upon Jesus who happened to be resting at the ancient well of Jacob, thirsty and tired from his journey.
The Story
A tired and weary Jesus sat down beside the well in the city of Sychar and asked for a drink from the first woman who came to the well. And she said, “Since you are a Jew, how can you ask me, a Samaritan, for a drink?” [interpretation: Ha! Not on your life, Mister!] not giving Him a drink
And He essentially replied, “If you had asked me, I would have given you living water to drink (eternal life). But she said to Him, “Sir, you don’t have a pail to draw water, and the well is deep, where do you get living water? [interpretation: Looks like you are up a creek without a paddle! If you have water, where is it?] not giving Him a drink
She continues, “You aren’t greater than our father Jacob, who gave us this well and drank from it himself, together with his sons and his cattle, are you?” [interpretation: (reveling in her revenge) Who do you think you are? We are children of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, which makes us legitimate heirs in this land] not giving Him a drink
Jesus responded (again about the living water), “Everybody who drinks of this water will get thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never get thirsty any more. Instead, the water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life. (Jesus is intimating His superiority over the patriarchs of Israel). Then the woman said to Him, “Sir, give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty or have to come here to draw water.” [interpretation: (in a sarcastic tone) Prove it to me!] still not giving Him a drink
Jesus said to her, “Go call your husband and come here.” (proving it through His knowledge of her). The woman replied by saying, “I don’t have a husband.” [interpretation: Oh crap! (probably in a sheepish but defiant tone)] still not giving Him a drink
Jesus countered that He knew she didn’t have one husband, but five! And that she doesn’t have a husband, indeed, but is living with a man. “You told the truth about that!” (as if nothing she had said thus far had been the truth). The woman said to Him, “Sir, I see that you are a prophet. Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, and you say that the place where one must worship is in Jerusalem–” [interpretation: Oh, you think you are so smart, Mr. Prophet, who do you think you are? If you’re so great, why aren’t you in Jerusalem with your own kind? (deflecting off of herself and her own sins) still not giving Him a drink
Jesus entered into a lengthy explanation for her about impending doom upon Israel, that salvation will come from the Jews, the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand, and how to worship God properly–in spirit and truth. (He is patiently parleying with her). The woman said to Him, ” I know that the Messiah is coming, and He will make everything clear to us.” [interpretation: Yes, this is something we can agree upon, the Messiah, (while still not validating Him)] and still not giving Him a drink
Jesus said to her, “I am HE, the very One Who is speaking to you!” They were interrupted by the return of the disciples, and the woman left her water jar and ran off to the city and proclaimed Jesus Christ to everyone. still not having given Him a drink
This conversation must have gone on about 10, 15, 30 minutes, if not longer, because it sounds like they were talking much of the time the disciples were gone!
And this whole time our thirsty Savior was not given a drink of water by a lowly sinner!
This shows me that Jesus has eternal patience with women, even sinful women. That He cares about each of us and is willing to take the time necessary to overcome our bitterness and self-sabotage. Men in those days did not discourse with women like this, especially between cultures, clans, and classes! She was totally beneath Him in every way, yet He spent so much of His precious time saving her, probably one of the most sinful women of her city.
In this account are many good lessons to learn. First, God loves everyone and wishes that none should perish but all to have eternal life in Him. Second, we must spend time one-on-one with folks preaching the Good news of Jesus Christ, Who is the Living Water. And third, no one is ‘beneath’ us and our love and ministry. If Christ can lower Himself to care about the lowest class of people, the most sinful citizens of either gender, who might be breaking the law of God, we can too.
But most of all, Lord let me never not be willing to serve You (or Yours) a drink of water!!
For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward. ~Mark 9:41
~Song of Mary~ 