Fiction Friday! – Interview With the Woman at the Well – Part 3

A Fictional Interview With the Woman at the Well
Part 3

Taken from the Biblical Account in John 4

We are continuing with our interview with the Samaritan woman, who has become known as the woman at the well. Her story is a pivotal one in Scripture.

Q – I want to ask you about the part of the book where I pictured your son, Matthew, as the Good Samaritan. As I was writing, it struck me that I could portray him as such, another well-known biblical character. This was not in my plans initially to do that, but everything seemed to fit — the timeline, the race. What are your thoughts on the artistic license I took in casting him in that role?

A – I loved it. There are so many characteristics of the Good Samaritan my Matthew possessed as well — kindness, compassion, generosity. And the Jericho Road which he was traveling at the time was treacherous and dangerous. When he was late in coming home that day, I was frantic. He was all I had left of my David. I couldn’t lose him too. When he arrived home and told us what had delayed him, it frightened me even more, but I couldn’t have been prouder of him.

The modern-day reader is unable to fully appreciate the danger which was involved in that simple act of kindness to the injured man on the road. First of all, the robbers who had beat the man up and taken all his money could have still been lurking among the rocks, waiting to attack whomever stopped to help, if anyone.

Secondly, because all of the man’s clothing had been stripped from him and he was unconscious, Matthew had no idea what race or creed he was. If he was a Jew, he would have not wanted a Samaritan to even touch him. All Matthew saw was a man in need.

Lastly, when Matthew took the man to an inn, the innkeeper could have very well assumed he might have been the perpetrator. However Matthew did what was good and right, despite the danger to himself. I was so very proud of him.

Q – Yes, when one looks deeper into the account, it is an amazing story. One of courage and compassion. You have every right to be proud of your son. I understand he observed some individuals who passed the victim of the robbery without helping him.

A – Matthew told me two Jewish holy men passed him by. They had to have seen the man on the side of the road. Their duties at the Temple probably restricted them from stopping to help, but …

Q – Matthew had plenty of reasons not to stop as well. You obviously brought him up well and were an example of courage and compassion to him yourself.

A – Oh, no! Not I. I failed in so many ways.

Q – But your encounter with Jesus changed all of that. All is forgiven. He extended his grace to you, and you believed Him. All we have to do is accept that grace and follow Him. Next time I want to talk about the astonishing revelation Jesus made to you.

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