This chapter begins in Samaria with the story of the woman at the well.  Jesus approaches this well, after his disciples went into town to buy food, and sits down to rest because he is tired.  The fact that they are in Samaria is a shocker to any Contemporary Jew of the era, since the area of Samaria was avoided  at all costs by a good, self-respecting Jew.  But, Jesus had a plan and a great lesson for all of us when he chose to pass through this land.  At the well, a Samaritan woman comes to get water.  Jesus asks her for a drink, and she is shocked that a Jewish man would speak to her, a lowly Samaritan woman.  He then speaks to her of the living water which “will become in [her] a well of water springing up to eternal life”.  He is speaking of His salvation, and, much like the well-learned Nicodemus in chapter 3, she takes Jesus literally, not understanding His eternal message of salvation.  He then reveals His power in calling out her shameful sin of unfaithfulness.  Upon hearing her sins, she recognizes that Jesus must be someone special, claiming “Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet”.  She asks Him some questions about where to worship the Lord, then proclaims that she believes a Messiah is coming.  Jesus tells her that He is the Messiah.
 
The disciples returned and are shocked that Jesus would be speaking to a Samaritan woman.  He reads their minds and speaks to them about the harvest of souls:  “Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look on the fields, that they are white for harvest.”  This interaction with the Samaritan woman was placed to show the disciples and show us that we must go into the fields and reap the harvest of souls for the kingdom! 
 
So what was the immediate result of this interaction in Samia?  The woman went into town and told people to come and see Jesus “who told me all the things I have done” proposing that He might possibly be the Christ.  Verses 41 through 42 show us that the people were drawn to Jesus when the woman was speaking to them, but it was really when they heard the word of Christ that the knew He was the savior of the world!  That is our mission, share the word of Christ that others may be drawn to Him.  Be excited!  You have some amazing news!  The Savior of the world has spoken to you, He knows your innermost being and He loves you unconditionally.  He has given you living water which will become in you a well of water springing up to eternal life.
 
-Ben Craft
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