The “woman at the well” or the story of the Samaritan Woman at the Well is a well known story where Jesus reveals Who He is to the woman, but there is a much deeper meaning than you might imagine to this encounter. The story shows that Jesus offers divine mercy in the living water of grace, which washes away sins and cleanses souls. To begin with, the Samaritans were utterly despised by the Jews. Such associations could lead to exaggeration and ridicule: Sappho was characterized by some Romans at the time of Jesus as having been a slut who had a hundred lovers. Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window), Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window), Click to share on Share (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Click to share on RSS Feed (Opens in new window), A Reflection on Feminist Theology and the Real Woman by Vanessa Rivera de la Fuente, Water, Activism, and Thirsting for Change by Xochitl Alvizo, http://lavenderpoems.com/sappho-lesbian-love-poet/, May Love Rest You Merry this Solstice, As Darkness Holds Us in Her Grace, The “Curse of Eve”—Is Pain Our Punishment? The Woman And The Well There were many metaphors for women in the Torah, one of them was a well or spring. Living water: … The Samaritan woman Jesus met faced prejudice from her own community. Jesus used the words living water to refer to eternal life, the gift that would satisfy her soul's desire: This living water was only available through him. So great was the success of the mission, that the townspeople said to the woman: “We now believe, not for thy saying: for we ourselves have heard him, and know that this is indeed the Saviour of the world.” Some Helpful Background. As I have studied it this week, I have been struck by how simple and profound it is. A modern day monologue version of the what the Woman at the well said to Jesus. One of the encounters is between Jesus and a Samaritan woman, who is often referred to as the woman at the well. Leaving behind her water jar, the woman returned to town, inviting the people to "Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did." Instead, she got much more, including a cleansed and refreshed spiritual life. Up to that point she had led a sinful life, one which resulted in a rebuke from Jesus Christ. Jesus answered, "I who speak to you am he." 18 You have had five ‘men,’ and the one whom you have now is not your ‘man.’  You spoke truthfully.” Do you dismiss certain people as lost causes, or do you see them as valuable in their own right, worthy of knowing about the gospel? (John 4:42, ESV). In truth, we don’t “know” a whole about her, and we only have smidgens of her poetry left to remind us of her genius. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! Meanwhile, Jesus told his disciples the harvest of souls was ready, sown by the prophets, writers of the Old Testament and John the Baptist. 8:2ff. In the days of the Church Fathers, did the whole Church fast, pray, and give alms for the forty dayspreceding Easter? SONG IDEAS: ‘Friend of God’ ‘Royalty’ by Hillsong Kids ‘Oh What Love – Be Exalted’ by Watoto Childrens Choir The human tendency is to judge others because of stereotypes, customs, or prejudices. The Woman Caught in Adultery Bible Story Study Guide, Meet Ruth: Great Grandmother of King David, The Woman Who Touched Jesus' Garment (Mark 5:21-34), St. Mary Magdalene, Patron Saint of Women, M.A., English Composition, Illinois State University, B.S., English Literature, Illinois State University. They had posted the score that Jesus was ahead, turning him and John into rivals in the eyes of the people. On its surface, the story chronicles ethnic prejudice and a woman shunned by her community. There is enormous depth of meaning in the poem also for feminism and religion. Attitudes at the well has a divine encounter with Jesus, the woman at the well meaning story begins as Jesus and his disciples traveling... Longs to meet it from Jerusalem in the Bible more, including cleansed... 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Him speaking to a woman shunned by her community and his disciples traveling... Image of Jesus and a woman in a very abusive, alcoholic and. Is easily gleaned by even a surface glance at the well teaches us that God loves in!

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