Text: John 4:27-42 (see below)
This morning we are treated to the second portion of the story of the encounter between Jesus and the woman of Samaria. You may want to read the text before continuing. It is featured at the bottom of the post.
To catch everybody up on what has happened to this point; Jesus was on his way back to Galilee and decided to travel through Samaria. He arrived with his disciples in Sychar and Jesus was tired from the journey. He rests at a well; Jacob’s well! The text says that it was about noon.
A Samaritan woman came to draw some water from the well. Now, we know that the women in that society were responsible for collecting water from well each morning. But, “high noon” is the wrong time of day. Normally, this activity was done in the early hours of the morning when it was cool. Something is wrong with this picture.
We learn that this woman is living on the margins of her society. She has been married to many men and currently living with a man who is not her husband. She is clearly exhausted both physically and spiritually with her life and having to make this daily pilgrimage in the middle of the day. Jesus offers her living water and this woman is more than ready to receive it although it is clear that she does not understand fully. Having declared that she believes in the Messiah, Jesus boldly declares: “I am he.”
Now, the conclusion of our story.
Notice carefully in the text that the woman runs off to tell others about her experience with Jesus. What is the clue that she will return?
The water jar. The author of the Gospel of John is superb in offering the reader clues in every one of his stories.
Samaritans were not like many Americans today who might have 6 or 7 “water jars”. These were poor folks. Supplies were scarce. A water jar was an important component of daily life. This woman is coming back for sure!
Not only does she come back, but she brings just about everybody in town and they all become believers! Again, notice the text carefully, when she goes into town she does not use theological argument or persuasion. There is no set dogma proclaimed. She simply offers an invitation: “Come and see a man who told me everything that I ever did.”
“Come and see.”
This pattern of persons meeting Jesus, having a life changing experience, and then inviting others to do the same continues throughout the Fourth Gospel. It is an example for us all. We do not have to have all the answers about Jesus. We do not have to recite a creed or catechism. All we have to do is make the invitation: “Come and see.” The Holy Spirit does the rest.
Tomorrow is the Sabbath. Christians will be going to worship God all over the globe. I imagine that there is someone you know who is searching for answers; struggling with a life issue; in need of healing either spiritually, emotionally, or physically; or simply wants to be in fellowship with another person. Would you be willing to contact them today and invite them with these simple words: “come and see.” A life might be changed forever.
Love One Another – Brian
The Long Loneliness
Dorothy Day
The final word is love.
Source: Sojourner’s Voice and Verse , February 2009
John 4:27-42
Just then his disciples returned and were surprised to find him talking with a woman. But no one asked, “What do you want?” or “Why are you talking with her?” Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?” They came out of the town and made their way toward him. Meanwhile his disciples urged him, “Rabbi, eat something.” But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you know nothing about.” Then his disciples said to each other, “Could someone have brought him food?” “My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work. Don’t you have a saying, ‘It’s still four months until harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest. Even now the one who reaps draws a wage and harvests a crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together. Thus the saying ‘One sows and another reaps’ is true. I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labor.” Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I ever did.” So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days. And because of his words many more became believers. They said to the woman, “We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world.”
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