Samaritans & Jews & You & Me

John 4:1-26

This story that John tells, a slice of a day in the life in Jesus' ministry, is commonly referred to as "The Woman at the Well."  Many of us know this story:  Jesus is heading to Galilee from Judea, and he goes through Samaria, which is a nation scorned and despised by the Jews, who consider themselves much more pious and righteous: after all, they are God's chosen people, and these Samaritans are castoffs. 

On his journey, he encounters a Samaritan woman who has been shunned by her neighbors - in fact, she goes to the well to draw water at noon rather than face the scorn of her peers, who come early in the morning before the noonday heat.

The Samaritan woman has an encounter with Jesus that changes her life forever.  And in turn, she shares the Good News with her neighbors.  Jesus stays in this Samaritan town for two more days, and countless Samaritans come to believe in Christ and his message.

So this Samaritan woman, part of the despised Samaritan sect, is one of the first non-Jews that God uses to advance his kingdom.  Not exactly what we would call strategic thinking, would we?  Why would you use the lower end of society, and the lowest of that low end, to advance your mission?  Surely a more respected person would be a better choice?  This woman was the dregs of her society.  Married five times, cast off by five men, and now living in sin with another.  How low can you go?  She is not the ideal 'spokesperson' for your 'brand,' in today's marketing speak.

And yet, God surprises us again, doesn't he?

• Moses said he wasn't a good choice to lead the people to the Promised Land.....God used him anyway (see Exodus)

• Mary was a young teenager, engaged but not married, when the angel of the Lord told her she would be the mother of the son of God - that would not be my first choice.....

• Rahab was a prostitute who engineered the daring escape for Joshua out of Jericho (Joshua 2).  A prostitute?  That makes about as much sense as using a disgraced Samaritan woman, doesn't it?

Three examples of countless times in scripture that God uses the unexpected, the outcast, the losers, to bring glory to Him.  Can he use me?  Can he use you?  What is standing in His way?   

Lord, you love those we sometimes fail to see - the down and out, the unlovely.  And you long to use me in your kingdom.  Help me to see those invisible, downtrodden people I might rush past, and to share your Good News joyfully, no matter what the status or bank account is.  Amen.