It's Deeper Than You Think by Brother Curtis Hansen

         This morning's scripture is going to be coming from the book of John chapter 4. We are going to start with verse 1. The subject of the scripture is Jesus' conversation with the woman at the well. 

        When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John.

        2 (Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,)

        3 He left Judaea and departed again into Galilee.

        4 And he must needs go through Samaria.

        5 Then cometh he to a city of Samaria, which is called Synchar, near the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph.

        Now, a little background knowledge before we move ahead in the scripture. Samaritans had no dealing with the Jews in this time. The Samaritans were so despised by Jews, their land was outright avoided. A Jewish traveller would walk around the long way than cross through Samaria. The Samaritans were half Jewish half Gentile. Assyria had captured the northern kingdom of Israel in 721 B.C. where some people were taken into captivity and others were left behind. Those people that were taken away ended up marrying the Assyrians. Samaritans had their own version of the first five books of scripture as well as their own unique system of worship. Looking back at verse 5. the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph, is a reference to the book of Genesis chapter 33 verse 19. Jacob has settled in the land of Canaan in this chapter. So, Jesus is aware of this all. Let's go to verse 6.

        6 Now Jacob's well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour.

        7 There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus said unto her Give me to drink.

        8 (For his disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat.)

        9 Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, ask drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.

        Verse 9 shows us that the woman recognized Jesus as someone different for the very fact that he spoke to her. Remember the history of Samaria from earlier.

 

        10 Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knew the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.

        The gift of God tells the woman about is the Holy Spirit. Even in your current state whether it is good or bad, if you recognized God you should know to ask in order to receive. God is asking, "Do you have something to refresh me? Something to drink?"

        11 The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water?

        You know God is like that well to us. You could apply the same analogy to a person as well. All of us have layers to our life, where you start with the public and often superficial image that's presented on Facebook. Where only the best moments or events or trips are showcased. The layers below that are what we don't want to share with others, and we struggle, scrap, and fight within ourself daily. God wants you to grow not only in your relationship with him but in your life as well. The woman at the well was unaware of who she was speaking to. On your walk, do you have gifts or talents that can uplift or nourish someone in need at that right moment? Or are you one who professes to be a believer and just suck the life out of those around you? No two people are alike. There are things which you struggle with that may not be a problem for the next door neighbor or colleague at work. We all have different struggles. The well is deep is a good metaphor for the message Jesus was giving the woman. When God shows up in your life, how does what you say affect your conversation? Are you at a loss for words? Full of excuses? Or are you humble in talking to him?

        12 Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle?

        This verse illustrates the Samaritans belief system referenced earlier. They had their own version of the first five books of Scripture. This is no different today than the hundreds of versions or translations we call the Bible, but for reasons man needs to be spoon-feed instead of taking further study, more people elect to take the easy to read missing words book and say it's God's holy word. 

        13 Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinks of this water shall thirst again:

        By this point in the conversation, Jesus has moved from the carnal to the spiritual. The gift of God is an everlasting spring of Jesus. You won't be God deprived.

        14 But whosoever drinks of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

        15 The woman saith unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw.

        By verse 15 the woman is starting to understand what Jesus is saying. If you are truly observant of those around you, it does not take long to figure out the outer layer on a person. You see their struggles and effort. God is always working in the background every day in life. 

        16 Jesus saith unto her, Go, call thy husband, and come hither.

        17 The woman answered and said, I have no husband. Jesus said unto her, Thou hast well said, I have no husband:

        18 For thou hast has five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: in that said thou truly.

        19 The woman said unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet.

        Have you been there in prayer, asking God for a move of something? A financial gain maybe or something to settle the craving of want and he pulls up something in your character needing to work on? When the truth hits and you receive, you understand what may be preventing things. It's your iniquity. This is why the messages of late are addressing how to deal with iniquity.

        20 Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.

        Once again, the Samaritans had a different way of worship. They did not believe like the Jews did in this time and go to Jerusalem to worship.

        21 Jesus said unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, not yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father.

        Verse 21 is still relevant today maybe even more so. So many churches have moved past the teachings of Jesus into something entirely different. The pageantry, presentation is more to entertain than to feed. Too many are edifying and worshiping their selves and their achievements and calling it loving God.

        22 Ye worship ye know nor what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.

        23 But the hour cometh, and now is, where the true worshippers shall worship the father in spirit and in truth: for the father seeks such to worship him.

        24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

        25 The woman said unto him, I know that the Messiah come, which is called Christ: when he is come he will tell us all things.

        26 Jesus said unto her, I that speak unto thee am he.

        Looking briefly back on verse 25. You know there are some churches who could consider this woman saved based off her statement. Church should be for like minded individuals to read the word and fellowship. The woman in the story is looking for someone to make her whole. God doesn't grant your flesh fulfillment in another person or possessions or property. Our sinful nature will never be satisfied. It will always seek more. The woman believed the Messiah is come and he would tell her all things.

        It doesn't matter if you worship God on the mountain or in church or in your shower or your car. You will never have a blessed walk if you limit your time to one day a week in worship. Your cup will not remain filled. You need to worship daily. God wants you to have a whole mind and heart through his word. A question to think about this morning is do you want to be sustained merely in grace or achieve victory from time to time? As man cannot live on bread alone, you cannot live by grace alone.

        Notice what verse 24 says. Jesus says God is a spirit. It's not the towering old man with flowing white hair and beard sitting on a regal throne in amongst the clouds. You want a hedge of protection in life, God asks for obedience. Through that obedience you will obtain the gift. God wants you to quit searching because he is here and he wants you to partake of his spirit. Don't be foolish in asking for Jesus to show up in your life where he expounds some wisdom and you hate him because of it. You need to tail the hard truths with yourself. Arrogant people are often unsure of themselves and that lack of self confidence is overcompensated with pride or anger. God is wanting to communicate with you and he's not surprised what season you are living in your life.