Attentive to the Word
Attentive to the Word (continued)
Sunday of The Samaritan Woman
John 4: 5 – 42
This Weeks Message
We are the plants in God's garden - placed here for a reason and a purpose - and some of us are awfully dry - and some of us aren't. But each one of us, whether we be dry or moist at this very moment, needs the living water that Jesus says he has come to give: - that water which wells up to eternal life, - that water which overflows and brings life to other plants near to it. I give thanks to God today for his love - for that love shown by Christ - that love which was poured out upon me when I was withering and perishing as a young person, and which even now is poured out upon me – even though I am far from perfect. I give thanks for His love which has given me hope that I never had, a peace that at one time I could only long for, and an assurance that I thought I would never see at work in my life. In giving thanks, I do what thousands, indeed millions of people have done before me. I do what the woman at the well did after first encountering Jesus: I point to the one who is the Savior promised from long ago. I point to the one who has accepted me - the one who calls me brother and does not hold my human failings against me, - the one who encourages me and challenges me, and never rejects or condemns me even when I argue with him.
That is what Jesus did with the woman at the well. He accepted her. He accepted her, even though she was a Samaritan and an enemy to His people. He spoke to her of God, though she was a woman and not thought worthy of such conversation. Jesus offered her His blessing - even though she debated with Him and questioned His statements. He regarded her as a dear sister - and gave her the same title of endearment He gave Mary when He called her woman and asked her to believe His words concerning how “the time is coming when true worshippers will worship the Father in Spirit and in Truth.” That is why the woman sang Jesus’ praises in her village. Because of His acceptance - because of His love! It was not just because He knew her past. It was not just because He could tell her things that no stranger should know that she spoke of him to her friends and neighbors. It was because in knowing her -- in knowing her nationality, her gender, her religious attitudes, and the mixed history of her marriages, Jesus none-the-less treated her as if she were an equal, as if she were a person worthy of respect, worthy of affection, worthy of love!
When we treat others as we ourselves would like to be treated - when we can talk to kings and to beggars and not show preference to one over the other, - when we can debate with sinners and with saints - and have both feel that they are respected - when we can open our homes to both friends and strangers - and have both feel welcome - when we can encounter people and not judge them - not put them down or patronize them – then, we know something of God's love. Then, we show something of God's love.
Christ is Risen!
Indeed He is Risen!