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.  

Herod the Great cannot stop Jesus

20 March 

Read Matthew 2:13-18 and reflect on the passage.

“They say Aslan is on the Move...” Despite living in an endless winter, burdened by fear, where even the trees are turning to evil, help is coming and is in fact already at work.

When I read today’s passage in Matthew two observations come to mind. First, I see God moving boldly to keep His promises: Joseph is given a dream, protecting Jesus from the violence of an arrogant and jealous Herod so that some 30 years later that child—revealed to be the Christ—would voluntarily submit to a greater violence in order to rescue arrogant and jealous people like you and I.

Second, I see in the surrounding darkness families mourning senseless brutality, having no idea that God is at that very moment moving to orchestrate unparalleled mercy.

Like Beaver’s faithful proclamation about Aslan in C.S. Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia, we can say with confidence that Jesus is on the move in our world even when all we can see is a mess. Furthermore, we know that the obstacles put in front of Him—whether by men or fallen angels—will not deter Him: His love is too strong and His power too great.

Questions

1. Nothing can separate us from God’s love (Romans 8:38-39). Isn’t it also true then that nothing can separate God from His love for us?

2. God is real, His goodness is in motion, and His love unstoppable. Who will you encounter today that needs to be reminded of this? Perhaps it is you?

Prayer

Lord, grow our confidence in You and grant us Your compassion so we might more urgently share Your comfort with those hurting around us. Amen.

—Jon Gerckens

God is bigger than anything man can build

2 December

Scripture Reading

Read 1 Kings 8:22-27 and reflect on the passage.

Young King Solomon stands before his people and gives his stunning new building to the Lord. Though the new temple is magnificent, Solomon admits it is unfit as God’s home because even all heaven and earth cannot contain its Maker. How much more incredible, then, to ponder that God Himself in human flesh has come among us! In fact, today He wants His spirit to live long-term inside our floundering hearts. C. S. Lewis pictured us in this indwelling experience as living houses that God wants to rebuild. At first, God does basic repairs that we knew we needed. But, when he starts huge remodeling changes, we wonder what’s up.

“The explanation is that He is building quite a different house from the one you thought of—throwing out a new wing here, putting on an extra floor there, running up towers, making courtyards. You thought you were being made into a decent little cottage: but He is building a palace. He intends to come and live in it Himself.”

—C. S. Lewis, Mere Christianity

Questions

1. What basic repair does God want to make in your “living house” today?

2. Where does God want long-term rebuilding in you, His palace?

Prayer

Lord, Life-builder, come in. No more spot cleaning nor superficial patch jobs. Knock down walls. Build what You need. Make my life Your home. Amen.

—Pam Mann