An Unlikely Conversation
John 4:4-42 (May 5)
The other day I went out exploring the countryside with my husband. One of our adventures if the day was hiking to a place called Jacob's Well. We followed the path through the woods until we came upon a lively little fresh water spring. Along the side of it was some rock and a space for sitting. It was lovely and I can't wait to take my kids there.
I imagine Jesus sitting there, trying to get a little rest and a little peace and quiet. The fact that he had sent the others on to look for food makes me think that maybe he needed a break from their jabbering as well.
So he sits down. He rests. He takes a moment to himself. We all know how refreshing a peaceful moment to ourselves can be. I like to think of him there, sitting in peaceful silence.
Then, along comes a Samaritan woman. She is sneaking off to get her water in the heat of the day, long after everyone else has come and gone.
Why is she doing this? Most likely, it is because of her sense of shame and unworthiness. Her life has not been easy. 5 times she has married. 5 times her husbands have divorced her. This is very uncommon in her little village, and I'm sure her late, sun scorching trips for water are to minimize the stares and behind-the-hand gossip.
Have you ever been in the position of embarrassment and shame? Ever felt unworthy to be amongst the crowd? Ever felt all eyes in you, and heard the whispers?
It is not a pleasant place to be in. But that is where she finds herself in life.
As she approaches the well, the most unlikely conversation starts up. It is very unexpected because Jews don't ordinarily stoop so low as to talk with a Samaritan. But Jesus is no ordinary Jew.
He strikes up this unlikely conversation with her, asking her for a drink. She questions why HE would ask HER for anything. Seems she knows her place in life.
Jesus then goes on to describe the Living Water to her. At first, she is a bit confused. (Wouldn't you be?) He talks to her about her life with many husbands and the fact that she is living with a man she isn't even married to. (Perhaps her self esteem has sunk so low by now that she doesn't even consider herself worthy of marriage.)
She speaks to him of the coming Messiah and all she has heard about him. When she finally figures out that HE is the Messiah, she drops her water jars and runs to tell the people of her village.
Do you notice, in her moment of excitement and discovery, she forgets about how she feels about herself and how others feel about her? In that moment she is so overcome with the news that the Messiah is here, she puts herself right in the path of those who have most likely caused her much sadness and shame.
Her total abandon in that moment brought many to Jesus, and they believed.
Yes, it was her...that woman of reputable character, who brought a village to the feet of Jesus.
A few weeks ago, I went with a friend to minister to women in prison. This was an unlikely place for me to be, and I was a little timid about it.
But through the course of our worship, and the message we gave, I saw the pure joy and excitement on their faces.
They were no longer sitting in the shame and disgrace of what had gotten them there. They left those thoughts behind to worship in the presence of the Lord.
Those women, in that moment...as unlikely as it was...brought my heart to Jesus in a powerful way.
God used them. He used the Samaritan woman. He uses you. He uses me. Anyone who is willing, he will use for his kingdom...no matter how unlikely they may be.