“A woman, a Samaritan, came to draw water. Jesus said, “Would you give me a drink of water?” (His disciples had gone to the village to buy food for lunch.)
The Samaritan woman, taken aback, asked, “How come you, a Jew, are asking me, a Samaritan woman, for a drink?” (Jews in those days wouldn’t be caught dead talking to Samaritans.) Jesus answered, “If you knew the generosity of God and who I am, you would be asking me for a drink, and I would give you fresh, living water.”
The woman said, “Sir, give me this water so I won’t ever get thirsty, won’t ever have to come back to this well again!” He said, “Go call your husband and then come back.” “I have no husband,” she said. “That’s nicely put: ‘I have no husband.’ You’ve had five husbands, and the man you’re living with now isn’t even your husband. You spoke the truth there, sure enough.”….
The woman said, “I do know that the Messiah is coming. When he arrives, we’ll get the whole story.” “I am he,” said Jesus. “You don’t have to wait any longer or look any further.”
Back in the village she told the people, “Come see a man who knew all about the things I did, who knows me inside and out. Do you think this could be the Messiah?” And they went out to see for themselves.”
John 4:7-10, 15-18, 25-26, 28-30 MSG
This meeting occurred at noon. The worst time to draw water from a well but the chosen time by the Samaritan woman because she could be away from judging eyes and offensive words. She was considered the shame of her town and alienated by the women because of her many marriages. People saw her number, Jesus saw her courage.
I believe this women had seen the worst of marriage and abuse. I believe she left husband after husband and decided to shack up with the sixth because she had lived oppression and abuse at the hands of her husbands. Her culture not only permitted oppression and abuse of women but applauded it.
Most women accepted the abuse as culture and tradition, but the Samaritan was ahead of her time. Despite all the names they call her: whore, failure, unloveable and vile she wasn't willing to accept abuse simply because it was allowed by culture.
The Samaritan wasn't fighting the institute of marriage or love, she wasn’t even fighting men. She loved them a little too much. She was fighting the culture that wanted to oppress her freedom and identity. She left to save herself even if it meant losing her friends and good reputation.
I'm not saying divorce is the first choice, especially when it's a habit of 5 times. I am a huge advocate of marriage and making it work. I see the Samaritan has some issues to resolve and many mistakes. She could have chosen to stay single or choose men wisely but then again she didn't realize she had options… until she had an encounter with the Messiah. Then she knew the truth and it set her free.
The town “Shame” walked back into her town with her head held high to become the first evangelist. She loved those that shamed her by sharing the truth that set her free with them.
Jesus gave her the power of being the first to know from His mouth that He was the Messiah because culture had tried to oppress her power. She had the courage to fight.
Jesus gave her the power of being the first evangelist because culture had left her for last. She had the courage to love despite the hate.
She gained the power to transform her life. She was no longer thirsty for men because she had met the Messiah.
Take your power back and transform your life. Have an encounter with the Messiah and receive the power to fight cultures definitions and labels of you. Transform your life today.
- Rosie Rivera - Sister Samalia