St. Martin's Church

March 23  3 Lent Sunday                                            John 4:5-42

 

John tells the story of Jesus meeting a Samaritan woman at the ancestral well of Jacob.  It is said that this is an allegorical story illustrating several key points to Jesus' ministry. 

 

We again see the tension between Jew and Samaritan, the implication of ritual cleansing with water.  And once again the disciples have left Jesus.  This time with no rope and bucket with which to draw water from the well, Jesus is at the mercy of a non-Jew for help. 

 

The woman is amazed by Jesus' prophetic revelation and his statement, "The hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for such the Father seeks to worship him.  God is spirit and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth".

 

The returning disciples marveled that Jesus was talking to a woman.  Why?!  Would they marvel if Jesus were talking to a Samaritan MAN?  Is it more astonishing that Jesus is sharing this revelation with a woman or a Samaritan?  The disciples are often perplexed by the company Jesus keeps.

 

Stepping inside the story, are we more like the woman amazed that Jesus prophetically tell our secrets?  Or, are we more like the disciples marveling at the turns Jesus takes in our lives?  Are we the worshipers worshiping in Spirit and in Truth?  Do we seek signs and wonders?  Do we find ourselves surprised at Jesus' revelations?  Do we feel we have the truth? 

 

As John's book unfolds, we see that the woman, the disciples and Jesus' true worshipers are responsible for the spreading of the Kingdom of God.  No matter who we identify with in today's Gospel, let us all be about the work of the spreading of the Kingdom of God, understanding that His message and revelations can come from unexpected sources.

 

Racquel Ray

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