A Woman at a Well, Part 2 A-2
This story is a perfect example of a woman with a certain past which renders her unable to now move forward in life, yet after having met Jesus, we can hear her say “BUT NOW!” Her life changed and she could now react to situations differently, since she met Jesus! Her future life would never as it had been before!
She moved from abuse, believing in some core lies about herself, acting in a way that would reflect those twisted beliefs, meeting Jesus, and opening herself to a new vision of herself as she understood Jesus explaining her past, and His description of what she could have in the future.
This is Part Two. The end of the story continues here. Be sure you read Part One first!
Then leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Christ?” They came out of the town and made their way toward him. …Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I ever did.” So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days. And because of his words, many more became believers.
17) The purpose of visiting the well was to obtain water, but she left her water jar there while speaking to the townspeople. Why?
18) What must have been the level of excitement and hope (even disbelief) in this Jesus she had just met?
19) Can you imagine having such a one-on-one with Jesus?
The woman still had no clue where the conversation was going, and was in error in much of her thinking, but sure was intrigued in whatever “living water” was. Notice how Jesus was gradually bringing her into new thinking.
20) What physical and emotional benefits did she think this "living water" would provide to her?
Divorce was frowned on in that society, so .....
21) What did neighbors and relatives think of her?
22) What do you think that the five ex-husbands were saying about her?
23) What might the religious leaders have thought of her? In fact, do you think she would be even welcome at the local temple?
24) In her current relationship, she was not married. Might she have just given up on any hopes of true intimacy? Might she have been at or near rock-bottom?
CAN’T YOU ALMOST HEAR THIS WOMAN BELIEVING SATAN’S LIES AND REPEATING THEM OVER AND OVER IN HER HEAD.....
God does not love me …. He does not see me ….. God is not for me …..
I am alone ….. I am not worthy to receive love ….. I am ineffective and my life has no meaning.
WHAT??? THE GOD IN THE SCRIPTURES ACTUALLY SPEAKS TO US? NO, IT CAN’T BE. GOD WOULD SURELY TALK TO THE TEMPLE LEADERS, AND NOT EVEN NOTICE SOMEONE LIKE ME WHOSE LIFE WAS A SHAMBLES.
CAN YOU RELATE TO THIS WOMAN IN ANY WAY??? As this story continues, let’s see how Jesus brought truth to replace these lies!
This led into a very personal, deep conversation. Imagine Jesus not berating her as a sinner, but rather gently helping her understand the "why" of her thinking and actions. Might Jesus patiently and lovingly shared the deeper reasons why she did the things she did, and why her life turned out the way it did? And now imagine Jesus drawing a picture for her of a new life, cleansed, hopeful, in touch with herself, understanding “triggers”, fully knowing her fears and tendencies. Sensitive to her particular needs and background. Vibrantly positive and encouraging, with not a one negative, "put-down" word.
Can you see YOURSELF begin to be cleansed from false thinking and say: “I used to feel this way, but having known Jesus better now I can say: “BUT NOW!”. BUT NOW I BEGIN A NEW LIFE WITH THE GIVER OF HOPE, GROWTH, AND COMPLETE FORGIVENESS!