Growing In Godliness Blog
“The Woman At The Well”
Categories: Author: Paul Earnhart, Jesus, RepentanceThe Woman At The Well
By Paul Earnhart
We read in John chapter 4 beginning at verse 5 that as Jesus was passing through Samaria, He sat down wearily by a well while His disciples went to buy food (Jn. 4:5-6). A Samaritan woman came to draw water and was surprised when Jesus asked for a drink. Jesus told her that if she had asked, He would have given her living water (Jn. 4:10). He was speaking of the spiritual refreshment which He could provide. But her mind was so much on the water and the well that she could not think of spiritual water at all.
So, Jesus changed his approach. He asked her to go and call her husband (Jn. 4:16). This was His way of getting her to examine her own spiritual condition. Jesus knew that she had had five husbands, and at that time she was living with a man who was not her husband (Jn. 4:17-18). It is interesting that she immediately changed the subject. She did not want to talk about her sins; so, she brought up an old question about the proper place to worship (Jn. 4:19-20).
Many people today are happy to talk about religion so long as it does not get into their personal lives. They like to talk about such things as where Cain got his wife, or about Jonah and the whale. They might even be willing to discuss their own religious experience and tell you about their church preference. But if we should meet Jesus today as that woman met him, I am sure He would ask about our personal lives... how we are living before God.
What would you say if Jesus asked you about your husband, or your wife? Are you living with someone who is not your spouse? What would you say if He asked you how you make and spend your money? What would you say if He asked about your favorite recreation and entertainment? Would you feel comfortable talking to Jesus about these things? Whether you talked to Him about them or not, He knows. He knew that Samaritan woman's condition without her telling Him. And before He can save you, you must face up to your condition and repent of your sins. No amount of religion can save you without a complete change of life to bring it into harmony with God's will (Lk 13:1-5; Acts 2:37-38)).
