Journey to the Cross
Gently, gently, God is coming to you.
Quietly, patiently, Jesus is listening to you.
Peacefully, lovingly, the Spirit is speaking to you.
He came to a Samaritan city called Sychar, which was near the land Jacob had given to his son Joseph. Jacobâs well was there. Jesus was tired from his journey, so he sat down at the well. It was about noon.
A Samaritan woman came to the well to draw water. Jesus said to her, âGive me some water to drink.â His disciples had gone into the city to buy him some food.
The Samaritan woman asked, âWhy do you, a Jewish man, ask for something to drink from me, a Samaritan woman?â (Jews and Samaritans didnât associate with each other.)
Jesus responded, âIf you recognized Godâs gift and who is saying to you, âGive me some water to drink,â you would be asking him and he would give you living water.â
John 4:5-10
Isaacâs servant met Rebecca at a well. Jacob met Rachel at a well. Moses met Zipporah at a well. As this story begins, the reference to Jacobâs well suggests that its first hearers might have romance on the brain. This does not turn out to be a romantic encounter. It does become, like the stories above, an invitation into Godâs family. In this case, back into Godâs family.
The enmity between Jews and Samaritans had been growing for generations. But Jesus dismantles some of that animosity by engaging someone he isnât supposed to talk to. âYouâre not a part of us,â Jews and Samaritans were saying to one another in word and deed. In asking the Samaritan woman for water, Jesus asks for and offers the gift of shared community.
We like to say who we wonât talk to. Jesus is telling us who he will talk to: a person from an enemy people, a person from the opposite gender, a person who has been hurt many times, a person who was probably on the margins. What might happen if we follow Jesusâ example?
Amber Inscore Essick
Teach me the far reaches of your love, O Lord. Release me from the small thinking of hatred. Give me the eternal water of friendship with God. Amen.
Drink of the deep love of God. As it fills your heart, let it overflow to those near you who most need to be seen and heard by God.