Saturday 01 July 2023
- Bible Book:
- John
‘The water that I will give them will become in them a spring of water gushing up to eternal life.’ (v. 14b)
Background
Today's passage from John’s Gospel features an encounter between Jesus and a Samaritan woman. In John's Gospel it takes place a chapter after Jesus’ encounter with Nicodemus. While Nicodemus was a respected Jewish religious male, the woman’s presence at the well alone in the heat of the sun probably indicates that, unlike Nicodemus, she was a marginalised figure.
Jesus had stopped at the well in Samaria on his way back to Galilee and asked the woman for a drink (v.7). After her initial surprise that a Jewish man should ask her such a question (Jews did not usually associate with Samaritans), Jesus hints that he has a greater offer in response – an offer of ‘living water’ (vs 8-10). The one who drinks this water will never thirst, and – indeed – it will become a ‘spring of water gushing up to eternal life’ (vs 13-14). Drawing on Old Testament imagery, the symbol of the water points to the presence of the Holy Spirit which Jesus will pour out on all who accept him (see also John 7:37-39).
The second part of the dialogue centres on Jesus’ knowledge that the woman has had five husbands and is now living with a man who is not her husband (vs 17-18). Commentators differ over the interpretation of this text, but most argue that ancient readers would consider the woman a sinner. In light of this knowledge, the woman recognises Jesus as a prophet and so asks about the right place to worship; is it Jerusalem or ‘this mountain’ (Mount Gerizim) (vs19 -20)? Jesus explains that while ‘salvation is from the Jews’, a time is coming when God will invite people to worship ‘in Spirit and in truth’ (vs 21-23). Worship, in other words, will not be confined to particular places, but the Father will seek people from all places to worship him. The woman notes that the Messiah will proclaim the truth when he comes, and Jesus tells her that the Messiah is himself (v. 26).
To Ponder:
- How might the Church follow Jesus in reaching out to those on the margins today?
- How do you think the offer of ‘living water’ – or the offer of the Holy Spirit – might appeal to people today?