IMMANUEL BAPTIST CHURCH SERIES: JOHN: THE GOSPEL OF TRUTH LESSON: A HEART THAT MINISTERS JOHN 4:1-9 1/10/21 MAIN POINT Jesus seeks and saves the lost, but sometimes the ones he seeks are not the ones that we (or the world) expect him to save. JOHN CONTEXT This chapter introduces a new character, but this character and this scene are connected to the previous scene. In the previous chapter, Jesus has an interaction with Nicodemus (3:1-21) where he comes to him at night and appeals to him based on his need—to be born again (3:3). In this scene in John 4, Jesus has another long interaction with another character. This character serves as a contrast to the previous interaction with Nicodemus and is intended to drive home the core message oF John’s Gospel account—that we would believe Jesus is the Christ, and be believing have liFe in his name (John 20:31). There are some key themes that John uses that will only continue in this chapter. They are important to remember and keep in mind as we study. Light and darkness is introduced in John 1 and carried throughout the book. We see darkness come out in John 3, but then we see the light oF daytime in John 4. Pay attention to these themes and when they arise. We will also see another theme oF God’s unexpected kingdom, his upside down kingdom, being inaugurated. He is not the king we expect, but he’s the king we need. He’s not bringing the kingdom we planned For, but he’s bringing the kingdom our hearts long For. John 3 was the “how” oF salvation (“you must be born again”), John 4 is the “who” oF salvation (Jesus comes to seek and save the lost, and sometimes that surprises us). INTRODUCTION Since we had a “Christmas break” From our series in John, let’s review John 1-3 as it leads into John 4. What is the purpose of John (hint: It’s John 20:31)? John 4 is the account of another conversation Jesus has with someone. In order to understand the significance of this interaction, let’s review his other encounters up to this point in John. • What encounters does Jesus have in John 1? • What about John 2? • And John 3? • In all of these encounters, what is a key theme or key claim Jesus is making on their life? EXPLANATION // …believe Jesus is the Christ… HAVE A VOLUNTEER READ SCRIPTURE TEXT – JOHN 4:1-9 This is a narrative, like the entire book oF John, so we’re going to ask some basic literacy questions that you would ask oF any story to help us make our observations in the text. Who are the characters in this scene? Where does this story take place? Having established the characters and location, let’s breakdown the scenes in the Following categories: conFlict, context, and person. THE CONFLICT (Verses 1-3) What is the occasion that leads to Jesus leaving for Galilee? (Look first in verse 1 and then in verse 4)? Based on these two verses, what is the reason for Jesus leaving for Galilee? How does knowing Jesus’ character and his behavior up to this point in the book help inform your understanding of his reason for leaving Galilee? This set oF verses provides us with the context For John 4. It begins with “now,” which is a transition into a new scene. But it also connects this new scene to the one that comes beFore it (3:22-35). In the previous section, John the Baptist’s disciples grow a little concerned about Jesus’ growing inFluence. But John the Baptist sets that record straight by saying that he (John the Baptist) is not the point at all—Jesus is the point oF all oF their ministries. But this hints at what is to come in John 4:1. The Pharisees pose a perpetual problem to Jesus throughout all oF the Gospel narratives, and we see here that they cause conFlict that puts him on the move. This is the impetus For him departing Judea. The ministry is growing too large between John and Jesus, and the religious leaders are taking note. But it is only part oF the reason For his departure. He has a person he needs to meet in another town. THE CONTEXT (Verses 4-6) Does anyone know where Samaria is? (You should have a map to show the class, see back page or link provided in the Resource section. I’ve provided a map for you to look at to get your bearings as to where Jesus was and where he was going. Basically, he was traveling north, going from Judea to Galilee, and the direct route is through Samaria.) Does anyone know the significance of Samaria or the history of Samaria? Why would this have been a big deal for him to travel that route? (If no one knows, below is an explanation.) Look at verse 6 again. What time of day does this encounter take place? The Samaritan people were descendants oF the Northern tribe oF Israel. When they were seized by Assyria, Assyria brought their own people to inhabit the land, and those people intermarried with the Israelites who were leFt, making halF Israelites. In the view oF the Jews, they were unclean. Even more so, they adopted the religious practices oF the culture, so they were both spiritually and physically unclean in the Jews’ eyes. Verses 4-6 set the stage For where Jesus intends to minister. We see three very important details in these verses. First, we see Jesus’ deity. In verse 4, we are told that Jesus “had to pass through Samaria.” But we know that nothing in scripture just happens by chance. This is a divine appointment. If you look at your map, you will see that he is going From south to the north. But this is diFFerent than just going to North Little Rock. It may have been north For him to go to Galilee, but it was not the normal route at all. For a Jewish man in that time period there was nothing that would have made him “have” to pass through Samaria because Jews did everything they could to avoid Samaria. They hated Samaria. They Felt superior to Samaria. To enter Samaria was beneath them. But Jesus had to go there because he is on a mission to seek and save the lost. Second, we see his humanity. In verse 6, John tells us that Jesus was “weary.” In his divinity, he has to pass through Samaria to save the lost. In his humanity, he is exhausted and needs a drink oF water. Those two realities converge to bring about a beautiFul salvation story. Third, the timing oF his trip to Samaria is an important detail as we are introduced to the other main character in this scene. The sixth hour was about noon, so it would make sense that he was tired because it was likely hot. But it does not make sense that a woman would come around to draw water From the well he is sitting beside. Which leads to our introduction to the unlikely person in this story. THE PERSON (Verses 7-9) In verses 7-9 we get the first part of Jesus’ conversation with this woman. What does he ask her? How does she respond? Let’s think about Nicodemus again. Jesus came to him how? At night. In secret. And he told him what? He needed to be born again. So here is my question: when does Jesus come to this woman? What time of day is it? Does that have any significance in the story thus far? Maybe her response can help us. What does she say (verse 9) when Jesus asks her for a drink in verse 7? How does her response help explain the main idea of this lesson (especially John’s commentary at the end of verse 9)? Two very important details are given to us right at the beginning oF these verses. The person who comes on the scene here is both a woman and a Samaritan. Samaritans were considered racially inFerior to the Jewish people, unworthy to be in the presence oF God because oF their uncleanness. Women were not given any sort oF status in that society either. This woman has two strikes against her. She comes From two marginalized groups—Female and racially inFerior. She was an outcast. And here Jesus not only enters their town, but he sits down at a well to draw water. Then Jesus adds to the scandal because he initiates a conversation with her. It makes sense. He has nothing to draw water with, so he needs some help. But as we see in verse 9, this was utterly surprising in that context because Jews did not have associations with Samaritans. Apparently, they would rather die oF thirst than risk becoming unclean. This woman gets the scandal oF it because she responds with surprise (verse 9a). But this only reveals the heart oF the minister even more. Jesus is undeterred by racial barriers and he is undeterred by gender barriers. But there is a key clue in these verses that Foreshadow that this scandal is only just beginning. It’s the 6th hour, noon, the heat oF day, which not when women normally would get water in that time period. Usually women would travel in groups to gather water, but she comes alone.