THIRST NO M ORE A BIBLE STUDY ON JOHN 4:1-42 DISCOVER THE GIFT OF THE LIVING WATER
Welcome to "Thirst No More," a devotional journey into the heart of John 4:1–42, where Jesus offers the timeless invitation to drink deeply from the Living Water. In the midst of our daily hustle, this encounter at the well calls for us to pause and consider the deeper meaning of quenching our spiritual thirst. Just as a traveler longs for water in the desert, our souls yearn for something beyond the temporal. In this passage, Jesus reveals himself as the source of Living Water, promising a wellspring that satisfies our deepest longings. As we begin this exploration, let’s delve into the text, explore key words, engage with insightful commentaries, and discover the historical richness that deepens our understanding. This study invites you to a refreshing encounter with the One who turns ordinary wells into fountains of grace. Let's journey together, discovering the gift of Living Water and allowing it to transform our hearts, minds, and lives. May this devotional be a moment of spiritual refreshment in your day, drawing you closer to the well that never runs dry. ABOUT THIS STUDY 2
Now Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard that he was gaining and baptizing more disciples than John— 2 although in fact it was not Jesus who baptized, but his disciples. 3 So he left Judea and went back once more to Galilee. 4 Now he had to go through Samaria. 5 So he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground Jacob had given to his son Joseph. 6 Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about noon. 7 When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” 8 (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.) 9 The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.) 10 Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.” 11 “Sir,” the woman said, “you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? 12 Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his livestock?” 13 Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” 15 The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.” 16 He told her, “Go, call your husband and come back.” 17 “I have no husband,” she replied. Jesus said to her, “You are right when you say you have no husband. 18 The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true.” 19 “Sir,” the woman said, “I can see that you are a prophet. 20 Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.” 21 “Woman,” Jesus replied, “believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. 22 You Samaritans worship what you do not know;we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23 Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” 25 The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.” 26 Then Jesus declared, “I, the one speaking to you—I am he.” JOHN4:1-42 Read the passage first. Examine the scene, the conversation between Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well, the teaching moment between Jesus and his followers, and the transformation that Jesus brought about in Sychar. EXPLORE THE SCRIPTURE 3
27 Just then his disciples returned and were surprised to find him talking with a woman. But no one asked, “What do you want?” or “Why are you talking with her?” 28 Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people,29 “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?” 30 They came out of the town and made their way toward him. 31 Meanwhile his disciples urged him, “Rabbi, eat something.” 32 But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you know nothing about.” 33 Then his disciples said to each other, “Could someone have brought him food?” 34 “My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.35 Don’t you have a saying, ‘It’s still four months until harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest. 36 Even now the one who reaps draws a wage and harvests a crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together.37 Thus the saying ‘One sows and another reaps’ is true. 38 I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labor.” 39 Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I ever did.” 40 So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days. 41 And because of his words many more became believers. 42 They said to the woman, “We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world.” 4
Highlight the phrases that stand out to you. These could include: “Jacob’s well,” “Samaritan woman,” “living water,” “Messiah,” “worship,” “harvest,” etc. What do you think John is emphasizing? Take a moment to jot down your thoughts and feelings as you read. Are there lessons you can apply to your life? Explore other references to "living water" in the Bible, such as Jeremiah 2:13 and Revelation 21:6. How do these references deepen our understanding of John 4:1-42? 5
UNVEIL THE LAYERS Let's step back and grasp the broader picture. Preceding this narrative, Jesus had garnered attention in the bustling city of Jerusalem through miraculous signs. However, a shift occurs as he ventures into a Samaritan village, transcending cultural and religious boundaries. The stage is set for a divine encounter against the backdrop of societal tensions. The key words like "living water," "worship," and "Messiah" carry profound symbolic weight in John 4:1-42. "Living water" extends beyond its literal sense, becoming a metaphor for eternal life and spiritual fulfillment. The word "worship" is pivotal as it reflects the theological discourse between worship that transcends physical locations. "Messiah" holding immense significance, emphasizing Jesus' identity as the promised Savior. What makes these words extraordinary is not just their literal meanings but the deep layers they unveil. Our understanding is enriched as we witness how these terms navigate the complex web of cultural tensions in the passage. They contribute uniquely, expressing intricate spiritual truths and amplifying the richness of the narrative. Through these words, we catch a glimpse of Jesus' transformative message, cutting through cultural barriers in a charged conversation. 6
TRAVEL IN TIME Sychar, a village in ancient Israel, was situated in Samaria, a region known for its agricultural productivity and trade routes. The community’s proximity to Shechem and Jacob’s well, a crucial water source, facilitated agricultural activities and supplied the needs of travelers and traders that come and go along the route. It should also be noted that this was the only time “Jacob’s well” was mentioned in the Bible. Although there is no specific mention of Jacob digging a well in the Old Testament (Genesis 33:18, Genesis 48:22), it’s important that John mention this detail to emphasize the historical significance of the scene. It is believed that the encounter between Jesus and the Samaritan woman happened in 28 A.D., sometime in December or early January, based on John’s mention of the “spring harvest being four months away.” This detail explains the agricultural practices and the season at that time. The Samaritans were considered outcasts by the Jewish community due to their questionable lineage and the theological discourse about their belief in proper place of worship. John’s mention of the disassociation of Jews with Samaritans emphasizes this deep-rooted animosity between the two groups. This encounter highlights the broader subject of religious divide and intolerance throughout that historical period. It sheds light on the religious differences of the time but also showcases Jesus' ability to transcend these divisions and offer a new understanding of worship that goes beyond physical locations. 7
Let’s look into Jesus' encounter with the Samaritan woman further. Reflect on the cultural barriers, Jesus' unconventional and radical approach, and the metaphor of living water. It was uncommon for a Jew to converse with a woman in public, much less a Samaritan one. Jews and Samaritans have a deeply rooted animosity toward one another so when Jesus broke down the barriers and extended his hand to someone who is marginalized and subjected to discrimination in their society, the story took a different turn. Just as physical water sustains our bodies, Jesus message and presence provide sustenance for our spiritual well-being. The living water metaphor challenges us to seek spiritual fulfillment in Him amidst a world thirsty for meaning. Why did Jesus choose to rest at Jacob's well? How does Jesus break societal norms in His conversation with the Samaritan woman? What might Jesus be offering beyond physical sustenance? VERSES1-15: DIG FOR MORE 8 Examine the woman's response to Jesus' revelation about her life. Consider the nature of true worship and the revelation of Jesus as the Messiah. The setting was engulfed in 1st-century Jewish and Samaritan cultural dynamics, societal division and religious prejudices. In this period, the Samaritans believe Mt. Gerazim was the true place of worship, while the Jews argue it was Jerusalem. Their understanding of Messiahship and worship practices were strongly influenced by their historical and cultural upbringing. Today, we approach this passage from diverse cultural backgrounds and a different theological landscape. While the specific societal divisions may differ from the challenges faced by the people from that time, the enduring principles of inclusivity and authentic worship remain applicable today. What was the significance of Jesus revealing the woman's past? How does this encounter redefine the understanding of worship? Why is it essential for our understanding of God? VERSES16-26:
Analyze the disciples' reactions, Jesus’ teaching moment with his disciples, the woman's testimony, and the response of the people in Sychar. The disciples who have been accompanying Jesus for the past nine to ten months are witnessing the counter-cultural and radical way of Jesus’ approach to ministry. Their presence highlights the contrast between their traditional beliefs and the revolutionary message that Jesus brings. Jesus time in Samaria was an incredible demonstration of his divine knowledge and the inclusive nature of God’s kingdom. From the Samaritan woman to his disciples and to the people of Sychar, Jesus sowed the truth, demonstrated the transformative power of his message, and reaped a harvest. What was the significance of the saying ‘One sows and another reaps’ in this section? What can we learn from the Samaritan woman about sharing our faith? How does the Samaritan community respond to Jesus as the Messiah? KEY PRINCIPLES: Embrace Jesus as the source of Living Water for spiritual fulfillment. 1. True worship transcends cultural norms and personal history. 2. Recognize and share the transformative power of encountering Christ. 3. 9 VERSES27-42:
QUENCH YOUR THIRST Examine your own spiritual thirst. In what ways are you seeking "living water"? How has Jesus revealed aspects of your life, as He did with the Samaritan woman? 10 Consider the emotions of the Samaritan woman and the disciples. How does Jesus' approach challenge societal norms and personal biases? Determine tangible steps to share the transformative message of Jesus with others, just as the Samaritan woman did.
11 MY PRAYER: Take a moment to express gratitude for the lessons learned and the wisdom gained from our discussion. Thank God for the opportunity to explore the richness of Scripture and apply its truths to our lives. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS MY TAKEAWAY: What are the main points or lessons you've learned from our group discussion? Consider both the broader themes and specific details that resonated with you. MY CHALLENGE: How do the teachings and interactions in John 4:1-42 relate to your own life? Are there specific areas where you feel challenged to change, grow, or live out the principles discussed?
Citations: Carpenter, & McCown. (1992). Asbury Bible Commentary. Zondervan Publishing House. Dalman, G. (2015, August 9). Sacred Sites and Ways. Andesite Press. Jacob’s Well - Encyclopedia of the Bible. (n.d.). Bible Gateway. Retrieved December 3, 2023, from https://www.biblegateway.com/resources/encyclopedia-of-the-bible/Jacobs-Well Bible Encyclopedia: Samaria. (n.d.). Retrieved December 3, 2023, from https://biblehub.com/encyclopedia/s/samaria.htm Carpenter, E. E., & Comfort, P. W. (2000, January 1). Holman Treasury of Key Bible Words. B&H Publishing Group. Moore, M. E. (2007, January 1). The Chronological Life of Christ. College Press. Thomas, & Gundry. (1978). A Harmony of the Gospels. HarperSanFrancisco. Bible Encyclopedia: Samaritans. (n.d.). Retrieved December 3, 2023, from https://biblehub.com/encyclopedia/s/samaritans.htm Jacob's Well, in the basement of the Bir Ya'qub monastery in Nablus https://www.exploringbiblelands.com/journal/tag/Jacob%27s+Well MID-ATLANTIC CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY Submitted to Dr. Josiah Peeler in partial fulfillment of GENB151: Principles of Bible Study Prepared by Joy Anne T. Corpuz, December 8, 2023