Grace and Christian life

The Samaritan Woman’s encounter with Grace is one we are going to examine today in our study. As we dissect 3 key parts to her expose’ at the well, to show you the wonderful mercy and Grace of God.

So let’s read the story here.

John 4:5–26 NLT

5 Eventually he came to the Samaritan village of Sychar, near the field that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. 6 Jacob’s well was there; and Jesus, tired from the long walk, sat wearily beside the well about noontime. 7 Soon a Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, “Please give me a drink.” 8 He was alone at the time because his disciples had gone into the village to buy some food. 9 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?” 10 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.” 11 “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? 12 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?” 13 Jesus replied, “Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. 14 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.” 15 “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.” 16 “Go and get your husband,” Jesus told her. 17 “I don’t have a husband,” the woman replied. Jesus said, “You’re right! You don’t have a husband—18 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!” 19 “Sir,” the woman said, “you must be a prophet. 20 So tell me, why is it that you Jews insist that Jerusalem is the only place of worship, while we Samaritans claim it is here at Mount Gerizim, where our ancestors worshiped?” 21 Jesus replied, “Believe me, dear woman, the time is coming when it will no longer matter whether you worship the Father on this mountain or in Jerusalem. 22 You Samaritans know very little about the one you worship, while we Jews know all about him, for salvation comes through the Jews. 23 But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way. 24 For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.” 25 The woman said, “I know the Messiah is coming—the one who is called Christ. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.” 26 Then Jesus told her, “I Am the Messiah!”

John 4:5-26

Even though we know very little about the woman at the well we know a lot based on the culture of that region and that day. In ancient times women would draw water from the well and chat it up about their daily life affairs, what the kids are doing, how there husband was doing etc.. But then we see this one lady coming to the well by herself, which gives a clear indication that she is considered an outsider. Now she is samaritan like the rest of the towns people, but she has been frowned upon by society because of her situations with many men including the 6th one who she is not married to!

Now let’s take a look at this broader view of her situation.

First Century Palestine - Women Could Not Divorce

Which means either her husbands divorced her or died. Which left her in a very bad position women of that day depended upon the husband to provide.

She had to be freeborn and the man she lived with had to be freeborn in order for them to marry legally.

Roman marriage laws stipulated that only freeborn could marry and only to another freeborn person. Therefore this would have excluded legal marriage to millions of former slaves who populated the empire. Which means that she may not have had a choice but to be a concubine to her “freed husband”.

God’s grace compensates for human weaknesses

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Believers are to pray for grace

Hebrews 4:16 NLT

16 So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.

See also ; ; ;

Christian experience may be summed up in terms of grace

1 Corinthians 15:10 NLT

10 But whatever I am now, it is all because God poured out his special favor on me—and not without results. For I have worked harder than any of the other apostles; yet it was not I but God who was working through me by his grace.

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Believers should go on to experience more of God’s grace

Acts 20:32 NLT

32 “And now I entrust you to God and the message of his grace that is able to build you up and give you an inheritance with all those he has set apart for himself.

Believers are enabled to serve Jesus Christ by his grace

1 Peter 4:10 NLT

10 God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.

God’s grace is seen in Christian character, especially in generosity

Referring to a collection being taken up for the poor Christians in Jerusalem.

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An ongoing experience of God’s grace requires the believer’s co-operation

2 Corinthians 6:1 NLT

1 As God’s partners, we beg you not to accept this marvelous gift of God’s kindness and then ignore it.