John 4:6-10 JESUS was tired from the long walk in the hot sun and sat wearily beside the well. Soon a Samaritan woman came to draw water, and JESUS asked her for a drink. HE was alone at the time as HIS disciples had gone into the village to buy some food. The woman was surprised that a Jew would ask a "despised Samaritan" for anything---usually they wouldn't even speak to them!—and she remarked about this to Jesus. HE replied: "If you only knew what a wonderful gift GOD has for you, and who I am, you would ask ME for some living water. [Living Bible Translation]
The Samaritans and the Jews
In John 4:7 JESUS encounters a woman at a well. HE asks her for drink. The woman is surprised. If fact, she is a bit shocked that HE would speak to her. She only saw "a Jew" and she thought HE only saw a "despised Samaritan." But, in fact, JESUS saw her and all her wellness needs.
To understand why the woman at the well in John 4:7-10 had such a strong reaction to Jesus asking her for a drink of water, it helps to understand a little about the history of the hostility between the Jews to the Samaritans. This hostility probably existed at least 800 years before this woman met JESUS.
The Hostility
After the death of King Solomon (around 922 B.C.), the twelve tribes of Israel, which had been united under King David and King Solomon, divided into two kingdoms—a Northern kingdom and a Southern Kingdom. Each Kingdom had its own king. One of the kings of the Northern kingdom purchased a hill upon which he built a city called Samaria. Later the whole region became known as "Samaria." See, David Carson's "Who Are The Samaritans," www.davcarson.home.mindspring.com.
In later years, when the Assyrians conquered Samaria and deported the people to Assyria, the Samarians intermarried with people outside their race and religion. This resulted in the Samarian practicing a "blended religion," since they adopted some of the religious beliefs of the people with whom they intermarried. This also resulted in the Jews thinking of the Samaritan as not being pure in race or religion. Later when the people of the Southern Kingdom (after their return from exile to Babylon) returned to Jerusalem to rebuild the city and the temple, one of the Samaritan leaders, Sanballat, was told that he could not take part in the rebuilding. Sanballat became angry, which purportedly led to the Samaritans building their own temple of worship in Samaria, separate from the temple in Jerusalem. The fact that the Samaritans did not accept Jerusalem as the one true place of worship increased the friction between the Samaritans and the Jews even more. Over the years the animosity worsened.
JESUS and the Samaritan Woman
By the time JESUS met the Samaritan woman, the general bitterness between Jews and Samaritans had grown to open hatred. Not only was the Samaritan woman surprised that Jesus would ask her for anything, but even the disciples were surprised that HE was talking "with her." See, John 4:27. However, during this brief encounter, the Samaritan woman came to accept JESUS as "THE MESSIAH" (i.e., THE SAVIOR). Although the Samaritan woman came to draw liquid water, she was at the right place at the right time to meet someone who could give her something far better, spiritual wellness---living water (i.e. eternal life).
Drinking Water and Stress
In "The Healthy Wonder of Water, Water and Stress Reduction: Sipping Stress Away," Gina Shaw states: "If you're looking for a simple way to unwind from your stress-filled life, try this: drink a glass of water." See, "The Healthy Wonder of Water, Water and Stress Reduction: Sipping Stress Away," by Gina Shaw, reviewed by Dr. Brunilda Nazario, www.webmd.com/diet/healthy-water-9/stress-reduction. According to Shaw, the link between drinking water and stress reduction is well documented. Amanda Carlson, RD, director of performance nutrition at Athletes' Performance, a trainer of world-class athletes says that studies have shown that just a half a liter dehydration can increase your cortisol levels:
"Cortisol is one of those stress hormones. Staying in a good hydrated status can keep your stress levels down. When you don't give your body the fluids it needs, you're putting stress on it, and it's going to respond to that."
Shaw notes that drinking plenty of water throughout the day will not solve your money problems, make your deadlines at work disappear or solve the problems your kids may be having, (or reduce your other mental anxieties), but if you are already stressed by coping with all these other things, "you don't need the additional stress of dehydration" added to your burden.
According to Renee Melton, MS, RD, LD and director of nutrition for Sensei, a developer of online and mobile weight loss and nutrition programs, when you get more dehydrated when you are under stress, your heart rate is up, you breathe more heavily, so you lose fluid. Also during times of stress, "you're more likely to forget to drink and eat well," thus further exacerbating the stressed out body problem. See, "The Healthy Wonder of Water, Water and Stress Reduction: Sipping Stress Away," by Gina Shaw, reviewed by Dr. Brunilda Nazario, www.webmd.com/diet/healthy-water-9/stress-reduction.
One of the ways that Shaw suggests that you determine whether you are already dehydrated is to "look at the [toilet] bowl" the next time you use the bathroom: "If the urine is dark in color and has a pungent smell," Shaw suggests that you are probably dehydrated. The darker the urine and the stronger the smell, the more dehydrated you are. Be mindful, however, that a mere visual urine test does not always yield 100% actuate results—some medications, vitamins and even some foods (e.g. beets, carrots, asparagus, and blueberries) can sometimes cause colorful urine. If you are concerned about your water intake (excessive thirst, fatigue or frequent urination can be symptoms of diabetes) or your lack of water intake, or even the color or your urine, you should ALWAYS consults your own physician, especially if you already have a medical condition. To increase water intake each day, Shaw offers the following suggestions:
- Carry an insulated sports bottle with you and fill it up periodically.
- Keep a glass of water on your desk at work.
- Keep a glass of water next to your bed. Many of us wake up dehydrated in the morning.
- Switch one glass of soda [if you drink soda] or cup of coffee for a glass of water.
- Drink small amounts of water throughout the day. Six glasses all at once isn't good for you!
Drink "For Life"
Just as physical "thirst" can be harmful to the body, especially during times of stress, so unquenched "spiritual thirst" can be harmful to the soul.
The Jewish toast "L'Chayim" means "to Life." JESUS' offer of "living water" is "for life."*
The OFFER is "still good." HE sees each one of us. HE knows every need.
So, today, drink plenty of water, pray, be well and Be Blessed!
*John 3:16 states: For GOD so loved the world, that HE gave HIS only BEGOTTEN SON, that whosoever believeth in HIM should not perish, but have everlasting life. To hear, Vanessa Bell Armstrong sing "For GOD So Loved the World," paste this in your browser:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhpX8OccS1E
