March 12, 2023: John 4:5-42 Jesus and the Woman of Samaria

This week we discuss the dialogue between Jesus and the woman at the well in Samaria. In contrast to Nicodemus, this woman continues to engage with Jesus and her faith gradually awakens as Jesus leads her in the dialogue. As a result she “bore witness” to the people of her town and they responded with faith in Jesus as the “Savior of the world.” We discuss the ways in which the Reformers tried to read this narrative within their framework of what was appropriate for women. Finally, we discuss the issue of the freedom of women to serve in the church.