Fiction Friday! – Interview With the Woman at the Well – Part 4

A Fictional Interview With the Woman at the Well
Part 4

This will be our last interview with the woman at the well, whom I named Marah, from the Nameless Women in the Gospels series. Today I’m going to ask her about the astonishing pronouncement Jesus made to her.

Q – From the biblical account, it sounds as if you and Jesus had a rather lengthy conversation, not just passing comments.

A – We did. And if I may, I’d like to compare your culture to mine with regard to that.

Q – Of course, feel free to say whatever you like.

A – I believe it is almost impossible for the modern woman to understand the cultural lines which had to be crossed in order for that conversation to happen. In that day and culture a man would never speak to a woman in public, even his wife. And a Jew would certainly not speak to a Samaritan woman, much less ask her for a drink from the ritually unclean vessel she carried. But for Jesus to discuss theology with a woman was unprecedented.

Q – Were you shocked at the direction the conversation took?

A – Totally shocked. We discussed the worn-out theological debate of where we should worship — in Jerusalem or at Mount Gerizim. Actually I was trying to deflect his comments about my past life, and the fact that I was living with a man who was not my husband … and he knew everything about me. How did he know that? Of course, I know now, but then I was reeling. When he admitted he was the Messiah, I scarcely could believe my ears.

Q – What happened next?

A – The rest of his disciples showed up about then, and they didn’t say anything, but it was evident by the looks on their faces they were shocked that Jesus was engaged deeply in conversation with a Samaritan woman. After he declared he was the Messiah, I simply left my water jug and ran back into the village to tell everyone I knew about my encounter.

Q – What were the reactions of people?

A – They didn’t believe me. So I begged them to come and see for themselves. I told them I’d met a man who told me everything I’d ever done. They did eventually and many accepted him. We invited him to stay in our home. He graciously consented and stayed with us for two days before he moved on to minister in other towns.

Q – What was life like after that?

A – Completely different. I married the man I was living with and became “respectable.” Actually the new believers  began to meet in our home. Meeting Jesus and choosing to follow him changes everything.  My perspective on life changed. My relationships changed. How I viewed myself changed. Even my name changed from “Marah,” which means bitter, to “Abigail,” which means joy. I’m so grateful I met the Messiah that hot day at the well.

Thank you, Marah, or Abigail, for spending these last few interviews with us. What a picture your story gives us of Jesus, and the value he placed on women to reveal that he was the Messiah to you, a hated Samaritan woman. Your testimony paved the way for many of us who serve in ministry today.

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