Day 22 – Jesus and a Samaritan Woman

JOHN CHAPTER 4

Read:  John 4:1-9

The disciples left Jesus to rest by a historic well while they went into town to get some food. As He was resting, a Samaritan came to the well. Jesus asked her for some water. Jesus’ request initiates one of the most famous conversations recorded in John’s gospel. Jesus’ exchange with the Samaritan woman is remarkable for several reasons. First, the inclusion of Jesus’ physical limitations highlights the reliability of John’s gospel. Given who Jesus claimed to be, it seems like His advocates would focus exclusively on His divine qualities, avoiding any mention of His human limitations. John does neither. He presents Jesus as He was, fully divine and fully human.

Another noteworthy aspect of this story is Jesus' willingness to engage in a conversation with a Samaritan woman. This was certainly not a story that would win many converts from Judaism. John, however, is more interested in demonstrating Jesus' broader mission as the prophesied Messiah, coming for the salvation of the world. "For God so loved the world …" John moves from a declaration of this concept in chapter three to its demonstration in chapter four. Through John's account we see an intentional progression from Jesus' interaction with common Jews – Philip, Nathanael, Andrew, and Peter – to an exchange with a religious leader – and now a Samaritan woman. John wants his readers to know that Jesus' mission is to reach everyone, regardless of their religious, social or ethnic backgrounds.

Two thousand years later, the church struggles to learn from Jesus' example. We like people who are like us. Crossing racial, social, and economic barriers was part of Jesus' mission and should be for His church as well. We cannot convince people that "God so loved the world" if we are not willing to love it too. That will mean putting ourselves in difficult and uncomfortable circumstances. 

God, Who Loves the World,

Thank You for loving me. I acknowledge Your mission is broader than I can see or comprehend. Thank You that no one escapes Your notice. Open my eyes to see the people I might otherwise ignore. Forgive me for neglecting people who are not like me, people You love and for whom You died. Fill me with Your love so I might love those I would otherwise ignore.

Amen

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