Sermon Tone Analysis

John 4:7-15

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Introduction

1.      Barriers of Hostility

a.

Some are physical: moats, walls, fences

b.

Some are emotional or intellectual: distance or distain

c.

All are ethical, we feel justified in building them

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Context: John 3-7 is concerned with the proclamation that Jesus is Lord.

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In his Kingdom, he is *NOW* redefining barriers and borders

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Because he removes the hostility

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Three words pepper our passage: Woman, Samaria, and Water.

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Three questions frame the conversation in our passage.

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How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a woman of Samaria? (v 9)

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Why is the woman so surprised at Jesus’ request for water?

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He is a Jew that has set foot in Samaria.

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She is a Samaritan (Explain Samaritans)

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She is a Woman

                                                              i.

Plato (427-347 BC): “And if a person lived a good life throughout the due course of his time, he would at the end return to his dwelling place in his companion star, to live a life of happiness that agreed with his character.

But if he failed in this, he would be born a second time, now as a woman.”[1]

ii.

Even the disciples reflect surprise when they return (4:27).

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Jesus is breaking barriers, doing far more than asking for a drink.

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The one who made the water asks her for a drink of it.

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The one who created this woman submits himself to her charity.

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The Jew, who the woman assumed would rather die of thirst than speak to a Samaritan or step foot in Samaria, now humbles himself to ask for water.

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The barriers have been broken as the Apostle Paul will later proclaim (*Gal 3:28-9*)

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Where do you get this living water?

(v 11)

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Living and running water

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Double meanings: running and living

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The well would not be needed if there were running water

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Woman shows no sign of understanding Jesus’ meaning (like Nicodemus)

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It is the wrong question (*v 10*):

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Jesus had not directed her to the gift (living water)

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He directed her to the giver (the Messiah of God)

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Are you greater than our father Jacob?

(v 12)

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There is a comparison of gifts

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Jacob gave the well that gives the temporal quenching (v 13)

                                                              i.

It is external

                                                            ii.

It is temporal

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Messiah gives the gift to which Jacob pointed

                                                              i.

It is internal

                                                            ii.

It is eternal

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Jesus makes plain that he is greater by virtue of his gift !

Conclusion: The Gift of God – Living Water

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Who’s in control?

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She, as we all are, is tempted to live by what is at hand, what is within our reach.

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Jesus bids her to live by means of what is not at her disposal, but on that gift of God, which came down from heaven.

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What is the Gift of God that Messiah brings?

(*John 7:37-39*)

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Perfect Satisfaction (Those who hunger and thirst will be satisfied, *Mt 5:6*)

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When we are full of Christ’s Spirit Barriers are overcome

                                                              i.

Barriers between God and Humanity

                                                            ii.

Barriers within ourselves: free to be honest, repentance and faith

                                                          iii.

Barriers between people and peoples: We love God in loving others

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[1] Plato, "Timaeus," in /Complete Works,/ ed.

John M. Cooper (Indianapolis: Hackett Publishing Company, 1997), §42b-c.