John 4 Samarian history

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I'm a sucker for history. I love hearing the back story. It gives such depth and richness to the situation at hand. The more I learn about the past, the more I appreciate the current situation.

In this passage, Jesus has a conversation with a Samaritan woman. Why is this so strange? Because Jews and Samaritans despise each other. They do not associate with each other whenever possible. How did this happen? 

After King Solomon's rule, the nation of Isreal was split politically. In the northern kingdom of Isreal, King Omri (1 Kin 16:24) named the capital "Samara". In 722 BC, Assyria took this area captive and led most Isrealites of the ten northern tribes away. The Isrealites who stayed, intermingled with the non-Jews who were transported in and together, they formed a mixed race. (Today, this area is Northern Iraq.)  When the Jews returned to captivity, there was tension! The Samaritans had stopped worshipping Yahweh in Jeruselum and instead, took their worship to Mt Gerizim. The Jews found this to be heretical.  Intense ethnic and cultural tensions raged historically between the two groups.*

But despite all this, Jesus comes and lovingly offers this Samaritan woman 'living water'!! He offers her the best of the best. The secret to eternal life. The direct connection with God! 

This shows me, that Jesus doesn't discriminate.  We can offer this special connection with God to anyone. Even if they are the very lowest type of class. Even if they have engaged in immorality their whole life.  

And so I reflect on how I share my special connection with God. I feel a shift. I feel like 'sharing the gospel' is cheesey. But 'sharing my special connection with God' is a gift for someone else. Like telling someone the line is shorter in the next lane. It's something that I know they'll benefit from and appreciate. 

Lord, teach me more about this. Continue showing me how telling people about you is actually helpful for others. (And not annoying!) Help to more deeply understand how sharing my special connection with you is in everyone's best interest! Help me to submit and join in on the work you are already doing. Amen.




*Reworded from John MacArthur's "John: Jesus - the Word, the Messiah, the Son of God"


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