John 4:1-26: Evangelism 101

Analysis
Our Lord and saviour has angered the Pharisees and their ilk to a point where he needs to avoid them. Within the context of Jewish culture, travelling through Samaria could very well be considered an extreme attempt at avoidance according to the Jews as pointed out in v9 “For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.” The Jews believed that you could become contaminated (unclean) from even travelling through Samaritan territory.

Jesus breaks down the barriers of tradition and culture by first travelling through Samaritan territory, speaking with a Samaritan and the fact that it is a woman he is speaking to.

Notice what Jesus does not do; he doesn’t try to explain himself to the woman why he is talking to a Samaritan woman; neither does he try to argue theology or history. Instead He tells her that the Messiah is going to do something great and wonderful for her: Jesus tells her that he can supply her with living water instead of the perishable water she is seeking at the well (v10). The Greek word ζάω (living) could metaphorically mean quick water or running water. Jesus is offering a stream or waterfall of water instead of stagnant well water. This fuels the Samaritan’s interests. However, it would appear as if the woman still does not understand completely as she is still looking for real water. Here Jesus teaches her (and us) the way of salvation:

• Repentance. He makes the woman realise her sin and need for it to be taken away and forgiven (v18).
• Faith (or belief): The woman believes that the Messiah is to come (v25) but clearly does not know how this is going to work or the fact that his time is now (“…when he is come, he will declare unto us all things”).

Jesus tells this woman that she has sin and that it needs to be dealt with. There is also a rift between her and the one who can supply eternal living water and the Messiah has come to deal with this rift. The messiah is here to take away her sin and pay the price so that all people can worship together in his wonderful name.