February 24 Sermon on John, chapter 4

Conversations with Jesus – Part 2

 

Last Sunday we listened in on a conversation between Nicodemus and Jesus.  Today we heard him talking to Samaritan woman - almost a complete contrast. You remember Nicodemus - a leader of the Jews and a teacher.  This ordinary woman is a Samaritan - a heretic - “Jews do not have anything to do with Samaritans.”  For Jews, the phrase “good Samaritan” is an oxymoron. Nick was a respected man in his community, while she had been marginalized by her community.

Why is she going to get water a noon? Because everyone else goes to the well in the morning and the late afternoon.  She doesn’t want to meet her neighbors because they don’t accept her.

The woman and Nicodemus - Two very different partners in conversation - but Jesus accepts both - and teaches both. In his ministry, Jesus does not make a distinction between men and women, between the religious and those whom the religious call a heretic or a sinner.  But his acceptance does not imply approval; rather, as we see in today’s gospel, it is the first step in leading her into His way – to something better.

While Nicodemus sought out Jesus to talk, I’m sure this woman had no intention of engaging in theological conversation when she went out to get water.  Jesus strikes up a conversation with her.  She wasn’t looking for a Savior - or was she?

 Just listen for the topics she’ll raise in the conversation.  She has a question about proper worship.  Then she’ll ask about the promised Messiah.

Like much humanity, she is looking for something spiritual.

Jesus must think that, for he begins to speak to her about “living water”  - an allusion to the prophet Isaiah who said that God offers the living water that can quench our spiritual thirst for  truth that will help make sense of life.

Jesus describes the longing for the spiritual as a thirst only He can satisfy

But just as in last Sunday’s conversation, there is misunderstanding.  She thinks he is talking about flowing water - running water.  Like Nicodemus, her mind is on the physical, not the spiritual.

 Maybe you’re still confused about this “Living water”. Jesus says::

“Let everyone who is thirsty come to me and let the one who believes in me drink... Out of the believers heart shall flow rivers of living water.”  Now he said this about the Spirit which believers were to receive.  John 7:38

Our yearning for the spiritual can be satisfied as we open ourselves to the Spirit of Christ.  But perhaps, like this woman and like Nicodemus, we’re still thinking only in physical terms, and thus find the things of the Spirit hard to comprehend.

We often don’t recognize God’s Spirit moving in the ordinary rhythms of life, for that takes reflection and discernment.  God’s life-giving Spirit is not under our control.  But it is a gift we can ask for, opening our hearts to the possibilities and promises of God.  As Paul writes in our lesson, God’s love has been poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit whom he has given us. Romans 5:5

Then Jesus changes the subject and gets personal with her.

When Jesus discussed her martial situation, (John 4: 16-19) he didn’t criticize –for he did not come to put us down, but to lift us up.  “He came not to condemn the world, but that through him the world should be saved.”  John 3:17

I didn’t say he approved of what she had done, but rather that he is compassionate.  His love always comes first – just as it did with the Samaritan woman.  The Lord would recreate us from the inside out.  We are not now what we shall become.  But He realizes that we do not immediately manifest the truth of the gospel in our lives.  Rather it is a process - discipleship - and the new, better self gradually grows within us.

After Jesus mentioned her marital situation, she changed the subject to “Worship”.  Their conversation about worship ended with an invitation: “But the hour is coming and is now here, when true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for the Father seeks such as these to worship Him.”

 (John 4: 23)

God the Father seeks – desires – wants His children to participate in worship.

We do not grow and mature through our own hard work, but by allowing the Lord to build us up and strengthen the new self within us.  Worship is an opportunity for God’s Spirit to work on us - to continue to transform us.  

At that point, Jesus’ disciples returned and the woman went back to the village.  She invited others to “Come and see” for themselves because “Maybe he is the Messiah.” (John 4: 28-30)

Obviously her faith in Jesus is not complete – she’s not sure – but she is certain enough that she invites others.  Her understanding is incomplete, she’s only been to her first class, but she knows enough to invite others.

Some accepted her invitation. This in turn leads more to believe. (John 4: 39-42)  And in that way, the woman was re-incorporated into that village community – at least among the fellowship of new believers in Jesus.  She is no longer a social outcast, for she is the one who led them to Christ.

Last Wednesday, in my discussion of Why Christianity Makes Sense, I talked about  the universal yearnings of humanity, including longings like “spirituality” - the search for something beyond ourselves; and also the need for relationship and community.

In the Samaritan woman, Jesus recognized her unexpressed need for the spiritual.  So he first leads her to recognize that thirst, speaking of “living water” and the Holy Spirit, and then worship.  That encounter with Jesus transformed her, and she talked to those neighbors whom she had been avoiding.  Her witness to Christ led to reconciliation with her community and renewed fellowship.  Coming to a tentative faith in Christ also met some basic needs in her life.

If every congregation, some members are like Nicodemus, while others are in their faith journey are closer to that woman of Samaria. Many of us have been a part of some church for a long as we can remember.  We know a great deal about our religion - or at least we think we do.  Yet Jesus can still surprise us, as he did Nicodemus, reminding us that we really don’t know as much as we think.  There is still room to grow.  He challenges us, as he did Nicodemus, to open ourselves to his Spirit – and to the new thing he would do in my life and your life.

But others came to faith or to church later in life.  In some cases you started out in church - drifted away - and now have returned.  Perhaps the Bible is more confusing than enlightening.  And in church we speak Bible - use a lot of words that you never hear outside church - and act as if you should immediately understand.  Yet in fact, like the Samaritan woman, you may be more open to receiving Jesus’ teaching than many of us. You don’t think you’ve got it all figured out so your mind is open to his guidance.

The Samaritan woman almost immediately becomes a witness – telling others about Jesus. And inviting them to “come and see” for themselves – even though she still isn’t sure about Jesus.

Studies find that is still true.  Members who are new to the church – or returned after a long absence – are more likely to invite others to their church to “come and see’ for themselves.  You don’t have to know everything about Jesus – or even be convinced of all the articles of faith – to talk to someone about your tentative faith or your church.  That you still have questions is an asset in the conversation, because you’re not trying to convince or convert them – just suggesting that they see for themselves.

Sometimes we may think that we are seeking God.  Today’s gospel reminds us that he may be seeking us.  He comes to us, at the most surprising and inopportune times – often in ordinary places.  We need only be open to Him and receive him on His terms. Whether you identify with the Samaritan woman or Nicodemus, or neither, Jesus has found you.  And His Spirit is active in your life.  How do I know?  You’re here today.  His Spirit has brought you this far.

Through His word and Spirit, Christ seeks you out and engages you.  To some He gives a challenge, perhaps prodding.  That pushes you off-balance and confuses you.  But He’s forcing you toward new understandings and experiences of faith.

But he is more gentle with others.  Maybe he knows that some of you don’t need a challenge right now.  So he simply offers you love, acceptance and encouragement.

Where ever you are, Jesus has found you.