WEEK 5: The Samaritan Woman ( John 4: 1-42).
This wonderful creative piece from the perspective of the Samaritan woman was written by the talented Steven Attalla. Enjoy.
As the sun was shining so bright and everyone had headed home, I decided to make my way over to the well. The people of the town can’ t tolerate me. I am a poor woman who is abandoned by everyone around me. I tend to wait until all the men and women have finished from the well before I make my journey. I effortlessly dragged the bucket by its rope through the rigorous town.
Once I got to the well, a Jewish man approached me and asked for a drink. I stared at Him with a confused look and began questioning if this man is alright. I asked Him, How can You being a Jew ask me a Samaritan Woman for a drink? He answered me and said, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘ Give me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water”. I took a look around and couldn’t see any other person or any equipments. But how are you going to draw water when you have nothing to draw it with? I hope you do know that the well is deep Sir. How then do You draw this living water that you speak off? He responded and told me that whoever drinks of the water from the well will thirst again but whoever drinks from the water that He gives, will never thirst again.
My eyes opened wide and I became curious about this water that He was talking about. Just imagine not having to come to the well again in the heat of the day to draw water but instead remain home and never thirst. My mind was beginning to get carried away. I asked this Man if he could give me some of this water but then he responded with the most bizarre response. He told me to go call my husband and tell him to come here. But umm… I don’t have a husband and so I told Him that.
What happened next shocked me. He exposed my life before me in a blink of an eye. He stated that the man I’ m currently with is not my husband but I have been married five times before that. I perceived that this Man is a prophet. I knew that the Messiah was coming and surely He will tell us all things but then He responded and said to me, “I who speak to you am He.”I couldn’t believe my eyes. The Messiah was standing in front of me. I, a poor Samaritan Woman, has been considered worthy by the Saviour to be spoken to. I immediately left the waterpot and dashed into the city. I left without drawing any water but I have been filled with the water of truth. I made sure I spilled this water into the hearts of every man and woman in the city. I was no longer ashamed or embarrassed to roam freely in the city. The Messiah has revealed to me my weaknesses and has now strengthened me with His Love. The rest of the Samaritans urged to stay with and learn from Him. They held unto Him for two days and confessed that truly He is the Christ, the Saviour of the world.