John 4:4-10 “And he must needs go through Samaria. Then cometh he to a city of Samaria, which is called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. 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. There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink. (For his disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat.) Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans. Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest 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.”
Within the first 42 verses of John 4 we have an account where Jesus contrasts the gift of God to that of water! In this account we have one of the most beautiful pictures of God’s plan for the redemption of man. I want us to look at some aspects of “The Gift of God” as seen in this account.
(I) Providential – vs.3-4
In speaking to His disciples of the journey that lay before them, He said, “he must needs go.” The phrase means to bind or to be in bonds, necessary as binding. The course and plan of action was predetermined. There was a providential plan. Long before that woman was moving toward the well, Jesus was moving toward the woman. Romans 5:8 says, “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”Galatians 4:4-5, “But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.” Thank God for the fact that long before I was ever moving toward God, God moved toward me. There was providential participation. If you will contrast verse 3 to verse 43, you will discover that Jesus left the land of promise and came to a place that was cursed, liberated sinners and returned to the land of promise. Philippians 2:5-11 says, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
(II) Personal – vs.6-8
Jesus’ disciples were gone into town to buy food when the woman arrived at the well “And Jesus said unto her” (vs.7). Receiving the gift of God is a personal matter. Romans 10: 9&13 says, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
(III) Provision – vs.10-12
“If thou knewest the gift . . . thou wouldest have asked.” The woman quickly recognized that what Jesus was promising could not be obtained by human effort! Note the phrase, “nothing to draw with, and the well is deep.” Ephesians 2:8-10 says, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” The gift of God is not merited, earned, or worked for, it is a gift that must be received; “thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given” (vs.10). In John 6:37, Jesus made us this special promise; “him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.”
(IV) Prospect – vs.7&16-18
Who are the individuals that make up the prospects of potential candidates of this gift of God? Those that have birth problems are prospects; this woman was of Samaria. A cross-breed that was hated and despised by all except God. One is a prospect if you have behavior problems. This woman has had five husbands and is now living with a man outside the bonds of marriage.
(V) Provisions – vs.10b&14
That which is drawn by man is quickly depleted, but the gift of God is eternal; it is described as “living water” and Jesus said of all that would drink; they “shall never thirst.” John 6:40&47 says, “And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.”
Having received “The Gift of God”, the woman experiences personal salvation (vs.25-28) and gives forth a public proclamation (vs.29).
I want to draw your attention to verse 41, “And many more believed.” Notice that the verse said, “many more.” While “The Gift of God” was made available to all, all did not receive it! God encourages all men to come and receive the free gift of salvation; if it is something that you have experienced, share it with those around you.