As I studied  and researched John 4:1-26, this description of Jesus' character kept coming to mind.  It seemed to me a good description of who Jesus is, why he was in Samaria and how he treated the un-named Samaritan woman at Jacob's well in Sychar. I'm going to focus on John 4:3-18.


The Lord's Chosen Servant

"Look at my servant, whom I strengthen.
He is my chosen one, who pleases me.
I have put my Spirit upon him.
He will bring justice to the nations.

He will not shout
or raise his voice in public.

He will not crush the weakest reed
or put out a flickering candle.
He will bring justice to all who have been wronged.

He will not falter or lose heart
until justice prevails throughout the earth.
Even distant lands beyond the sea will wait for his instruction."  Isaiah 42:1-4 NLT 


Jesus Talks With a Samaritan Woman

… He left Judea and returned to Galilee. He had to go through Samaria on the way. Eventually he came to the Samaritan village of Sychar, near the field that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. Jacob's well was there; and Jesus, tired from the long walk, sat wearily beside the well about noontime. Soon a Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, "Please give me a drink."  He was alone at the time because his disciples had gone into the village to buy some food.

The woman was surprised, for Jews refuse to have anything to do with Samaritans. She said to Jesus, "You are a Jew, and I am a Samaritan woman. Why are you asking me for a drink?"

Jesus replied, "If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water."

"But sir, you don't have a rope or a bucket," she said, "and this well is very deep. Where would you get this living water? And besides, do you think you're greater than our ancestor Jacob, who gave us this well? How can you offer better water than he and his sons and his animals enjoyed?"

Jesus replied, "Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life."

"Please, sir," the woman said, "give me this water! Then I'll never be thirsty again, and I won't have to come here to get water."

 "Go and get your husband," Jesus told her.

"I don't have a husband," the woman replied.

Jesus said,  You're right! You don't have a husband—for you have had five husbands, and you aren't even married to the man you're living with now. You certainly spoke the truth!" John 4:3-18 NLT


Some of my thoughts that seem to tie the Isaiah scripture to John 4 are:

 Going through Samaria would break down a barrier between the Jews and Samaritans and become part of bringing justice to the nations.

By asking the woman for a drink Jesus broke down a barrier in the treatment of women.

By offering the gift of living water from God, he opened the door to eternal life. 

When she told him she didn't have a husband, he commended her for her truthfulness.  And he didn't condemn her for her past and present living situations.  He did not crush her or snuff out hope. 


Take some time this week to continue reading in John 4 about Jesus' interaction with the Samaritan woman and how the description of "The Lord's Chosen Servant " fits with what He says and does.


by Carolyn Schmitt