Chapter 19—At Jacob’s Well
This chapter is based on
John 4:1-42
.
On the way to Galilee Jesus passed through Samaria. It was noon
when He reached the beautiful Vale of Shechem. At the opening of
this valley was Jacob’s well. Wearied with His journey, He sat down
here to rest while His disciples went to buy food.
The Jews and the Samaritans were bitter enemies, and as far as
possible avoided all dealing with each other. To trade with the Samari-
tans in case of necessity was indeed counted lawful by the rabbis; but
all social intercourse with them was condemned. A Jew would not
borrow from a Samaritan, nor receive a kindness, not even a morsel
of bread or a cup of water. The disciples, in buying food, were acting
in harmony with the custom of their nation. But beyond this they did
not go. To ask a favor of the Samaritans, or in any way seek to benefit
them, did not enter into the thought of even Christ’s disciples.
As Jesus sat by the well side, He was faint from hunger and thirst.
The journey since morning had been long, and now the sun of noontide
beat upon Him. His thirst was increased by the thought of the cool,
refreshing water so near, yet inaccessible to Him; for He had no rope
nor water jar, and the well was deep. The lot of humanity was His, and
He waited for someone to come to draw.
A woman of Samaria approached, and seeming unconscious of His
presence, filled her pitcher with water. As she turned to go away, Jesus
asked her for a drink. Such a favor no Oriental would withhold. In the
East, water was called “the gift of God.” To offer a drink to the thirsty
traveler was held to be a duty so sacred that the Arabs of the desert
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would go out of their way in order to perform it. The hatred between
Jews and Samaritans prevented the woman from offering a kindness
to Jesus; but the Saviour was seeking to find the key to this heart, and
with the tact born of divine love, He asked, not offered, a favor. The
offer of a kindness might have been rejected; but trust awakens trust.
The King of heaven came to this outcast soul, asking a service at her
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