The Water Jar Left Behind

When Paul Kim was young, he heard a sermon of Rev. Billy Graham and Rev. Paul Yonggi Cho on the Samaritan woman in the book of John 4. They described her as a sinful woman seeking for human desire and vanity in the world. It is the traditional interpretation on it. However, Paul Kim claims that the narrative of the Samaritan woman must be understood in the framework of the Jewish culture and society as influenced by the Law of Moses.To live boldly in faith, despite external pressures and stressors, encourages others to live similarly, which is what the Samaritan woman event is all about. This book sheds light on this occasion from a not-so-traditional view of John’s Gospel.The Samaritan woman was going through a tough life in Samaria. She had a strong and resilient faith in God so that she could boldly challenge and deal with social pressure and religious boundary on marriage. Jesus Christ visited Samaria to graciously console, acknowledge, and sympathize with the Samaritan woman. Amid a short conversation between Jesus Christ and the Samaritan woman, all heavy burdens and grudges she had carried on were gently touched and stripped away by Him. She came to realize that Jesus Christ was the Messiah she had waited for. She abandoned a water jar which was a symbol of her heavy burdens and suffering. She finally overcame agony and affliction caused by ostracism and criticism of the Samaritan people and found catharsis and satisfaction in Him.