February 27 | John 4:1-26

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DAILY READING

John 4:1-26

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REFLECTION

Why Her?

By Gene Pierce

Today’s passage is John’s record of Jesus’ conversation with a woman of Samaria, the first time in John’s gospel that Jesus claims to be the Messiah. Jesus had been turning water into wine, baptizing many and clearing the Temple, but this conversation crosses a big, big line.

Why does John include this particular person as the first to hear this powerful claim?  Her contemporaries might have described her as an irreligious, immoral, lower-class half-breed. (Maybe like some people we know at work, in our neighborhood or among our friends and families?)

Yet Jesus initiates a telling, back and forth dialogue / debate with her.

She isn’t intimidated by Jesus’ presence and request, but she is surprised and asks why he, a Jew (and a man) would even talk to her.  Jesus then tells her, “If you knew who you are talking to, you would have asked me for water.”

Eventually, she asks for water (so I can quit my daily “Walk of Shame” past my neighbors who despise me). Jesus says, “Call your husband and I’ll tell you more.” (We have a few things to talk about first.)

And then she levels with him, “I have no husband.”  Jesus agrees and takes it one step further. “The man you are living with is not your husband, in fact he’s your fifth!”

She responds, “You must be a prophet!” (….but, but, but…..) “We Samaritans worship here, but you Jews say true worship happens in Jerusalem.” Jesus responds, “God must be worshipped in spirit and in truth.” (There will be a better way of worship.)

She parries one last time. “I know the Messiah is supposed to come and explain everything.” (That much she knew, even if she was not religious.) 

Jesus answers again, “I who speak to you am He,” the one you’ve been waiting for. BOOM!! 

What can we learn from this dialogue? Jesus gives us a model for reaching out to these people in our lives.

-- Someone’s social standing, lifestyle or religious status does not put them on a “Do Not Share” list. 

-- He doesn’t duck the hard questions and challenges that honest faith discussions bring.

-- Jesus knows our hearts, too (that’s a scary thought) – and still loves us. 

Someday each one of us will have our own face to face conversation with Jesus.  Counting on his sacrifice alone, we will survive. But every day we are alive, we should have a conversation with him that addresses our faults and seeks the living water he alone provides. 

Let's make that a priority for Lent. It’s a powerful time to seek those life changing conversations, and drink from Jesus’ deep well of new, living water.

PRAYER

Lord, open my heart to your challenges and callings and help me be honest about the things in my life that don't reflect you and your glory. Give me strength and power to change.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Gene Pierce is a longtime member of UALC and our International Missions Committee and former Council member, still learning how to balance life, work and faith. Gene and his wife Elaine are blessed to be parents of four and grandparents of nine.