John 4:1-26 NIV
Five husbands?! Who could endure that? Who would even consider that today? I imagine there are a few, but the percentage of women who want to learn to live with five different men in one lifetime is probably pretty low. Of course, in Jesus' day, women were not much more than property. They needed a man to care for them or they would not survive. If not a husband, then a son or other male relative would care for them.
This woman not only has had five husbands, she now is living with a man who is not her husband and just as bad (according to many Jews), she is a Samaritan. They were not considered to be equal with the Jews, by the Jews. Samaritans were people to be avoided.
Jesus knows all this. He knows she is a sinner. He knows she is a Samaritan. Yet, he communicates with her. He asks her for a drink of water and invites her to ask him for a drink of the living water which only he can provide. Jesus does not shun her. He does not shun anyone. All are invited to drink of this cup of living water. Will you? Will you drink of the cup of life? Will you worship in Spirit and in the truth?
God's Peace - Pr. J
Five husbands?! Who could endure that? Who would even consider that today? I imagine there are a few, but the percentage of women who want to learn to live with five different men in one lifetime is probably pretty low. Of course, in Jesus' day, women were not much more than property. They needed a man to care for them or they would not survive. If not a husband, then a son or other male relative would care for them.
This woman not only has had five husbands, she now is living with a man who is not her husband and just as bad (according to many Jews), she is a Samaritan. They were not considered to be equal with the Jews, by the Jews. Samaritans were people to be avoided.
Jesus knows all this. He knows she is a sinner. He knows she is a Samaritan. Yet, he communicates with her. He asks her for a drink of water and invites her to ask him for a drink of the living water which only he can provide. Jesus does not shun her. He does not shun anyone. All are invited to drink of this cup of living water. Will you? Will you drink of the cup of life? Will you worship in Spirit and in the truth?
God's Peace - Pr. J
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