John 4

 Welcome back! Another beautiful afternoon yesterday and another forecast for today. I am hoping to take advantage of that and get onto the Finger Lakes trail later this morning. 

Jesus was rising in popularity and the religious authority was "catching wind" of that. They didn't like when people took away their popularity, so confrontation was brewing. To prevent more conflict, Jesus leaves Judea and goes to Galilee via Samaria (vv 1-4) The road through Samaria was the shortest route between Jerusalem and Galilee, but "good Jews" avoided Samaria because "those people" lived there! There was much mistrust and hate between the Jews and the Samaritans. Samaritans were a mixed ethnic group of Jewish and Gentile; their religious background was a combination of Jewish tradition and pagan rituals. Samaritans were more disliked than the Gentiles! Do we have those people in our life that we just can't tolerate?

The well that Jesus stops at (vv 5-6) is steeped in Jewish theology. It is the site of an encounter between Abraham and God and God re-emphasized the covenant God made with Abraham. It is believed to be the burial site of Joseph and also the site at which Joshua made a covenant with Israel to make it a great nation again. A very religious site. And Jesus meets a Samaritan woman there (v 7)! And Jesus talks with her! Imagine that! Women typically come early in the day and in groups, so there is some indication that she was an outcast- even by her Samaritan sisters. The woman questions Jesus, I mean no good rabbi would ever speak to a woman, especially a Samaritan (v 9). Jesus' response, "If you only knew!" Do  you think she might have known something?

The "living water" is offered. Jesus and the others knew that people had to come every day to the well to get water ("you will thirst again"), but Jesus says the living water satisfies forever. Drinking and thirst are common themes of man and God's relationship. We are (or at least should be) thirsting for God all the time! Are you thirty?

The request from Jesus for the woman to "get her husband" (v 16) wasn't unusual. An extended conversation between a woman and a man (especially a rabbi) would be more culturally appropriate if a man (the husband) was present. The discussion of her "married life' comes up, and she is surprised at Jesus' knowledge. The conversation between the woman and Jesus then changes to a discussion of worship and tradition (vv 20-26). The Samaritans accepted the Torah as Holy, but disregarded the rest. In the Torah, Moses does set up this area as a place to worship, so she wasn't wrong there. But, as Jesus comments (v 22), you really don't know the rest of the story because you disregard the rest of the Bible (Hebrew bible, remember, no gospels at this time yet!). Jesus then makes probably one of the most profound and greatest statements, "The hour is coming..." (v 23)- to a Samaritan woman! Jesus tells the woman what true worship is- seeking and worshipping God in spirit and truth (v 24). Does that describe your/our worship?

The woman knows about the Messiah coming (so she has some religious training) and comments that the Messiah will proclaim all these things (v 25). Jesus' response, "Uh- I am the Messiah!" (v 26). The first revelation of Jesus' Messiahship is to a sinful Samaritan woman! What does that say about the Gospel? No response from the woman; I'd like to know what she said!

The disciples return and are shocked Jesus was breaking all the cultural norms- but nobody asked anything! The woman leaves and runs to the town to announce what just happened. She was so impressed with his love and compassion for even her, that she was excited to tell others! Do we get that excited? She must have been effective, because people follow her! One of the first evangelists was a sinful Samaritan woman!

Jesus turns to the disciples. They returned with food, but like the water with the woman, Jesus comments that the food Jesus offers is so much better! Do we hunger for Jesus? There are so many people that are hungering, but we seem to put off the work for another day (vv 35-36). Jesus says we should go and harvest now! The time is right! Are we harvesting or waiting? John the Baptist and others sowed the seeds of faith, and now it is up to the disciples to harvest the crop (vv 37- 38).

Remarkably, Samaritans came and believed Jesus was the Messiah (vv 39-42). No questions, but faith! Jesus stayed for a few days- imagine- a Jew staying with Samaritans for a few days! All on the witness and testimony of one person. There is power in our witness!

Jesus returns to his home territory of Galilee and they remember what he did in Jerusalem- even though he was a "local boy" (vv 43-45)

It was about 20 or so miles between Cana and Capernaum (vv 46- 47) and the nobleman walked tat far to talk with Jesus in hopes of getting Jesus to come to the home and heal his son. Jesus confronts him saying, "The only reason you are here is because  you have heard and seen things- do you really believe in me?" (vv 48). Jesus really tests the man's faith by saying "Go, your son is well." The man wanted Jesus to come, but he didn't. Do we have that much faith in Jesus? The son is healed and the man and his entire household believe. 

John comments- "This is the second sign..." (v 54). John's Gospel uses "signs" to point the reader to faith in Christ. The first sign at the wedding in Cana persuaded the disciples to believe; the second sign at the boy's deathbed persuaded the nobleman and his family to believe. The Samaritans believed without a sign. 

Another great chapter. Click here for a great modern rendition of the Woman at the Well.

Have a good day!

Shalom+
Pastor Paul