Women

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The Samaritan Woman - by Lynn Burrow

She came to the well to seek peace, comfort, and solitude. What she found was Jesus. The Bible says that Jesus had had a need to go through Samaria that day. And although His disciples had gone into town to buy food, Jesus had chosen to stay behind.

It was approximately noon and Jesus was tired. He chose to sit quietly at the well, resting.....and waiting. When he looked up, there stood before Him the Samaritan woman. Because Jesus had the gift of prophesy, He perceived that the woman had been married five times and that she was currently "shacking up" with a man who was not her husband.

Jesus saw something in that woman that most people reading the scripture never see. He saw her heart. He could see that her heart was splintered into a trillion pieces. In fact, though the Bible never says so, Jesus knew that the woman was going to be at that well, on that day, at that particular time. That is why He had experienced a need to go through Samaria. The woman's broken heart was calling Him.

During those times, women had very little power or authority. The men were in control. Therefore, a woman could not simply divorce a husband. The fact that the woman had been married and divorced five times is an indicator of the fact that on five occasions she had been rejected by the men whom she had loved and trusted. Back then, men could divorce their wives for any offence, large or small.

The Samaritan woman had suffered the humiliation of divorce on five separate occasions and she was probably the laughing stock of her community. With her self-esteem at an all time low, she started to live in sin with another fornicator.

To make matters worse, she was a Samaritan woman, and Samaritans were not looked upon with respect, especially by the Jewish people of that time.

When she arrived at the well, she saw Jesus. She was surprised when He said gently, "Give me a drink." Other men in her life had probably all spoken to her in disrespectful tones.

The Samaritan woman inquired of Jesus as to why He, a Jew, would talk to her or request water of her. Jesus countered by ministering to her. He revealed to her the fact that He in fact was Christ, the Messiah.

Because there is healing power in God's Word, the woman was strengthened by speaking to Jesus and she ran back to town and shared the Good news of His Word.

Just as God had a need to meet the Samaritan woman, He has a need to meet you and I. Just as He confronted her sin and ministered to her broken heart, He will do the same for you and I. Listen for His gentle voice. He may speak to you through a dream, via another person, or through your spirit. Know that He loves you regardless of your situation. Put all of your trust in Him and await the sweet reward!

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