She was defenseless before Jesus. Samaritan, alone…she’d already had 5 husbands and was now living with the man she hoped would be number 6…drawing water at noon. NO one drew water at noon. The women all drew water in the evening, and it was social time for them. But this woman, with her past and behavior was unwelcome to that community time. And now this Jewish man was actually speaking to her, another break of propriety. And not only speaking to her, but describing her life to her, and saying things that really took her aback.
“If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water.”
“Anyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again. But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.”
“Believe me, dear woman; the time is coming when it will no longer matter whether you worship the Father on this mountain or in Jerusalem. You Samaritans know very little about the one you worship, while we Jews know all about him, for salvation comes through the Jews. But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way. For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.”
See was pretty flustered. All she could think of to say was, “I know the Messiah is coming—the one who is called Christ. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.” To which Jesus responded, “I am the Messiah.”
What followed was miraculous. The disciples returned and were shocked to find him talking to a woman, she went running to the village with her account of what had happened, the people of the village came to the well to see what was up, and Jesus and the disciples ended up staying in the village two days, teaching and welcoming believers. Pretty cool!
Not once did he say anything about the hostility between Jew and Samaritan. His disciples learned a necessary lesson. His message was the arrival of the Kingdom of God in his person calling for a repentant response. And the village welcomed him with, “Now we know that he is indeed the Savior of the world.”
He is no respecter of persons. Nor can we be. Some of the most shameful chapters in the history of the church have to do with the sanction of bigotry and oppression. But since the cross there is only one category of person in God’s eyes…Those for whom Jesus died. As he walked away from this Samaritan village, his mission accomplished, he continued a ministry packed with the poor, women, lepers, unbelievers, and other ‘undesirables.’ God desires them all…even us.
Prayer: “Great Father of All, remove all prejudice from our crippled hearts until we see all others with your eyes. Feed our spirits with your living water and restore the truth to our sight. We wish to worship you with all our hearts, and to join our hearts to all those around the world of every tribe, nation, language and tongue who raise their voices to you. Please make us greathearted and generous with mercy. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”