Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard that he was making more disciples and baptizing more than John (although Jesus’ disciples were baptizing, not Jesus himself). Therefore, he left Judea and went back to Galilee.
Jesus had to go through Samaria.
He came to a Samaritan city called Sychar, which was near the land Jacob had given to his son Joseph. Jacob’s well was there. Jesus was tired from his journey, so he sat down at the well. It was about noon. A Samaritan woman came to the well to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give me some water to drink.” His disciples had gone into the city to buy him some food.
The Samaritan woman asked, “Why do you, a Jewish man, ask for something to drink from me, a Samaritan woman?” (Jews and Samaritans didn’t associate with each other.) – John 4:1-9 (CEB)
This is the first of a four-week series on Jesus and the Samaritan Woman at the Well. Join me as we take a deep look at this beautiful story.
I wonder if this is the reason Jesus stayed behind at the well rather than going into town with the disciples. In town, this woman would have been invisible. Because Jesus remains in the place of the outcast, he is able to be the bearer of grace to this woman.
We all have our noonday well.
The place we go to hide our vulnerabilities and feelings of failure. The place we go to avoid the success and privilege of others. Our noonday well might feel lonely, but we are not alone there. Jesus is also at our noonday well, inviting us to receive a little bit of mercy and honor — even in the times and places we least expect it. Thanks be to God.
We all have our noonday well. The place we go to hide our vulnerabilities and feelings of failure. It might feel lonely, but we are not alone there. Jesus is also at our noonday well, inviting us to receive a little bit of mercy and… Click To Tweet
