Biblical Text: John 4:1-42
Introduction: We will begin our preaching today with the story of the Samaritan Woman at the Well, told in chapter 4 of the Gospel of John. This passage reveals to us a significant encounter between Jesus and a woman who, despite having a life marked by errors and prejudices, became an instrument of God to bring the message of salvation to many. We will learn from this story valuable lessons about God’s unconditional love, the importance of evangelization and how to overcome social and cultural barriers to reach people with the Word of God.
Ministry Body:
- Jesus, tired from the journey, asks the Samaritan Woman for water (John 4:1-7)
- The story begins with Jesus, tired from a long journey, sitting next to a well in Jacob. There, He meets a Samaritan woman who came to get water. Although it was unusual at that time for a Jew to speak to a Samaritan woman, Jesus breaks cultural barriers and asks her for water, demonstrating from the beginning His willingness to reach out to everyone, regardless of their origins or social position.
- Jesus offers the woman living water (John 4:10-15)
- As they talk, Jesus reveals to the woman that He can give her living water, the one that quenches her thirst forever. The woman, intrigued, asks for this water, thinking about no longer needing to return to the well. Jesus then takes the opportunity to talk about the spiritual living water, which is the eternal life offered by God to all who believe in His Son.
- Jesus reveals the woman’s sins (John 4:16-18)
- Jesus, demonstrating His omniscience, reveals to the woman details of her personal life, including her previous marriages and her current relationship with a man who was not her husband. By doing this, Jesus shows that he knows our sins and that, despite this, he wants to offer us forgiveness and salvation.
- The woman recognizes Jesus as the Messiah (John 4:19-26)
- Upon realizing that Jesus knew her sins, the woman begins to question Him about religious issues, such as the correct place to worship God. Jesus then teaches that true worship does not depend on a specific location, but rather on worshiping God in spirit and truth. The woman, impressed by Jesus’ wisdom, recognizes Him as the Messiah, the promised Savior.
- The Samaritan woman evangelizes her city (John 4:27-30)
- After meeting Jesus, the woman leaves her pitcher at the well and returns to her city to tell her countrymen about the man who revealed all her sins to her. His sincere and passionate witness leads many Samaritans to believe in Jesus and seek a personal encounter with Him.
- The Samaritans recognize Jesus as the Savior of the World (John 4:39-42)
- After hearing the woman’s message and meeting Jesus personally, many Samaritans began to believe in him as the Savior of the World. This event shows that the salvation offered by Jesus is not limited to a specific nation or group, but is intended for all people, regardless of their origins or background.
Conclusion: The story of the Samaritan Woman at the Well teaches us that Jesus is the only one who can quench our spiritual thirst with the living water of eternal life. Furthermore, it shows us that God does not make distinctions between people and that his grace is sufficient to forgive and transform lives, regardless of our mistakes and sins. Finally, it highlights the importance of evangelization, because, like the Samaritan woman, we must be instruments in God’s hands to bring the message of salvation to all those who do not yet know Him.
