We have all seen it. The lawyer jumps to his feet in the midst of his opponent taking apart the logic of the witness on the stand. "I object!" the lawyer shouts. The line of the questions is broken, and the rhythm of the opponent is slowed. It is a strategic move, and sometimes a tactic.
Key Principle: When people are confronted with the direction that Jesus offers, they often place road block objections - but Jesus knows the answers to deal with their objections.
The story is a simple and familiar dialogue between Jesus and the woman at the Sychar well. It is easy to divide the story into three parts, as John recalls the events:
* The Setting (4:1-6)
* The Exchange (4:7-28)
* The Results (4:29-42)
Because John says that he is deliberately attempting to show character and power traits in Jesus to allow one to believe and have life (John 20:30-31), the story’s primary purpose is to reveal the truth about Jesus. Along the way, we meet the unnamed woman, her fellow Samaritan villagers, and the disciples.
A quick word about the setting (4:1-6): Jesus became aware that the Pharisees were “bean counting”, trying to measure the rise in popularity of Jesus over John, and He made a hasty retreat from them. He had no desire to get caught up in the certain celebrity status that He would soon be afforded, so He left. He arrived close to midday and asked His disciples to go into town and get something for them to eat. Though normal water gathering was made in the early morning and late afternoon, a woman appeared to draw water at an unusual hour – as Jesus was propped beside the well.
Jesus and the woman had a verbal exchange that has become familiar to many Bible students. The discussion helps us see the kinds of objections that are common when people are confronted with the truth of Jesus; and how Jesus was able to answer the objections with direct and important claims.
Objections People Raise to Jesus and His Message
1. Doubt of Intention: What does Jesus really want from me? (4:9). Clearly the woman was stunned that Jesus as a Jew would ask her as a Samaritan for something to drink. Yet, on more careful examination, it appears that she was not only asking why a Jew would speak to her, but she was exposing a very basic reaction that many people have when Jesus reaches out to them. The Gospel offers something to each person, but it also requires something of them. It requires that an individual trust Jesus, and obey what He asks of them. Without submission of the will there is no real salvation. Jesus began ASKING FOR HER TO DO SOMETHING FOR HIM. The simple act of giving a drink to Jesus was an act of obedience – an act of trust. She was a woman alone, and this man may have had MANY ideas on his mind. She didn’t know Him, and her history was such that we would not be surprised to find out that she didn’t trust Him right away.
2. Sense of Unworthiness: How can you deal with someone LIKE ME? The misconception that people carry in their minds about Jesus is that He spent His time with religious people in clean and tidy places. That is not the Jesus of the Gospels. At the same time, a Samaritan woman aptly pointed to a true breach in the relationship between Jews and Samaritans that did exist. Prejudices existed on both sides, and clearly this woman has encountered them, or simply possessed them. Whether she felt an intense unworthiness as a Samaritan is not the whole issues. It is clear that she felt that Jesus would perceive her as inferior. That is the key: people are confronted by Jesus and they react because they know themselves. Little do they realize that this is a form of a worshipful reaction (cp. Isaiah 6) to see one’s own sinfulness in the light of God’s truth and perfection!
Jesus’ answer was direct to her – You are worried about who you are and what I may really want. That is the wrong focus. If you refocus on Who I am, you will find a gift is awaiting you! (4:10)
3. Doubt of His Ability: Jesus made an overt claim that He had something to GIVE the woman, but she couldn’t see how it was possible for Jesus to deliver on the promises (4:11). She chided, “You don’t think you are greater than our fathers, do you? (4:12). Wrapped in her question is one of the oldest forms of objection to Jesus and His message. She wanted to compare Jesus to other great men, and didn’t see how He could claim to offer more than other men of seemingly greater stature could offer. Do you have greater power than…? That is the age old question. As the Creator of all things (Col. 1:16-17; Hebrews 1) Jesus initiated every other life to which he would later be compared. Yet, this objection is common by those who see the “great men” of religious history, and Jesus as one among many.
Jesus’ answer was again direct and overt – I am not one among many. That is the wrong conclusion. I have the gift and the ability to deliver it. (4:13-14). It will surely accomplish satisfaction beginning within and flowing outward. It is superior to anything offered before, and it will deliver the ultimate and final rewards.
4. Distraction over Benefits: The woman appeared to be ready to accept the offer made by Jesus, but Jesus knew she was not truly prepared. She was distracted by the part of the offer that appeared to care for her problems, but she did not comprehend what Jesus wanted from her (4:15)
Jesus peeled into her life to help her expose the deep secret that she was hiding. He asked her to go and bring her husband. This was a respectful request, especially if she was about to make a bold move to accept His claims and follow Jesus (4:16). The woman replied, “I have no husband!” She told a half-truth (4:17-18). She was a woman who both lived in pain, and as a result walked in hidden compromise. Here is the central issue – she wanted to add Jesus to a life of self will and impure behaviors. That is a wrong assumption. It is true that Jesus loves us. It is true that He came to save us. It is simply NOT TRUE that He is so longing for us that He will simply dismiss our desire to continue to walk as we choose – in sinful practices that are forbidden by God. I am not suggesting that we must become perfect to be saved – that is not even close to the truth. I am suggesting that Jesus is not interested in licensing wrong behaviors and adding salvation to our lives. If we assume this, we are not ready to truly receive Him –for we fail to understand the call to distinctiveness He demands.
Because we know that in the first century Jewish context, divorce was an issue of a man putting away a woman in most cases – it is likely that the woman’s history of marriages has more to do with stinging repeated rejection and not simply a life as a “loose woman”. She was evidently repeatedly judged deficient in some way by the men in her life. Rejection upon rejection appears to have left her desolate of self respect. She eventually shed the need to even have the appearance of a real marriage (4:18).
5. Theological Redirection: Jesus spoke resounding truth into the life of the woman, and she knew it. He opened her eyes to the truth about her own pain. He peeled her heart to its core. She perceived He was a prophet. Yet, she was not ready to surrender to Jesus. She re-directed the conversation to theology and arguments over the place and nature of worship, emphasizing the difference between Jews and Samaritans (4:19-20). Some read these words and believe she is just cleaning up loose ends, but I believe there was a very basic smokescreen she was attempting to raise. It is always preferable to redirect the painful peering into the hurt soul by the Lord to a theological discussion. Theology can easily be a cold discussion – removed of self inspection and the pain of inner reflection -- and Jesus was hitting very close to her center.
Jesus answered her and told her that she was essentially on the wrong issue. She was concerned with the PLACE of worship, and Jesus answered with the NATURE of worship (4:21-24). Jesus flatly claimed that neither mountain would last, and the worship systems found on them wouldn’t last either. Worship is neither a service nor a hall. Jesus foretold that both would be swallowed up in the larger truth – worship would one day be both spirit empowered from within the believer and centered on the truth that was revealed by God’s Word. Getting caught up in any discussion that kept the pressure on the woman to yield her broken heart to the Lord, no matter the value of the discussion, was a distraction.
6. The Voice of Procrastination: “Someday I hope it will happen for me!” was the final objection raised (4:25). Many have raised it. “One of these days, when things work out for me, then I will be ready to commit to Jesus.”
Jesus replied to the woman, “You are on the wrong timing!” The time for her salvation was the day Jesus beckoned. Later would be too late. The acceptable time of salvation was the day of the presentation. Jesus, the very Anointed of God was standing before her. Today was the day she needed to respond to. That future time she pondered and dreamed of was no longer relevant.
Perhaps you relate to the woman. Maybe you have heard that Jesus will save you from your sins, but you possess the “Doubt of Intention” – you aren’t sure what He will expect you to lay on the line to follow Him.
- Maybe you have been hurt by people that pressed into your heart the idea that you are worthless. You may suffer from the “Sense of Unworthiness” – the notion that you must clean up first to invite Jesus within.
- Maybe you are awaiting some new proof that sets apart Jesus from other great religious leaders. You have the “Doubt of His Ability” – and await Him to show you the truth.
- Could it be that at some time in the past you were ready to accept Jesus to get salvation, but you didn’t intend to give your life to Him – you had “Distraction over Benefits” – and wanted to simply add Jesus without surrendering anything. You were not saved.
- Maybe some argument of theology is keeping you from clearly hearing the message that you are lost. Maybe you are worried about what version of the Bible you should read, or how baptism truly works and why people you know disagree. You are being tempted to “Theological Redirection” – when EVERY decent translation says that you need to yield, and every one says that baptism isn’t the issue (the thief on the cross knew better!)
- Maybe you have thought about coming to Christ “some day” but offer nothing but the “Voice of Procrastination” that someday it will happen for you. Can you really put this off? Are you so secure in your driving, in your body and its health, in everyone around you and your own safety that you KNOW you can wait?
When people are confronted with the direction that Jesus offers, they often place road block objections - but Jesus knows the answers to deal with our objections.
Good word boss! It is funny that I have seen many of these same objections as I have had the opportunity to share with people up here. I kept having flashes of interactions I have had as I read the study. I can't wait to get back and continue to forge ahead, but God has certainly used our time up here to minister to hearts. Blessings.
Posted by: Aaron Michaud | 02 July 2009 at 08:10 AM