Water Sucks!

Our first Guest Blogger, Archie Woods, joins us this week with some reflections from the Fourth Chapter of the Gospel According to John.

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Picture this with me as we set the stage, a desert with barren ground far as the eye can see. A well-worn path leading into a small town, a stopping point for travelers heading from Judea north into Galilee. The reason to stop, some old stones piled in a circle, placed by Jacob. You remember Jacob, son of Isaac father of Joseph, the same guy who stole the birthright from his brother Esau. Jacob was ever the trickster, but he knew how to build a well, it had survived over a thousand years. Here at a Jacob’s well, one of few water sources around, Jesus chooses to have a juicy conversation. A small piece of home-turf in a land of foreigners, the land of Samaria. The time is roughly 6AM, Jesus is leaning on the well considering his early morning cup of Joe… or the equivalent in those days: fresh water. 

Enter stage left, a Samaritan woman. Now this is awkward. Did I mention awkward? You see the Jews don’t speak to or deal with Samaritans. That’s the nice way of saying, the Jews despise Samaritans. The Samaritans used to be Jews, before the Samaritans adopted an Oprah Winfrey view of God. They  exchanged the truth of God for a lie, as Paul later says. The religion of Samaria became every road leads to salvation, and they merged all things with Judaism. You know Samaritans, they drive around with their “co-exist” and “tolerance” bumper stickers spelled in religious icons. All the while not realizing that those are offensive to each religion represented.

The tension builds.

Generations of animosity, cultural barricades. The Samaritan woman decides to just ignore the Jew, which would be the easy way. Just keep your head down and whatever you do don’t make eye contact.

Not an option, Jesus breaks the silence and asks the Samaritan for water. She fires back with the elephant-in-room tactic and asks, “Wait, what? How are you a Jew, talking to me I am obviously a Samaritan.” 

Jesus cuts to the chase, as usual with, “If you knew what God offers and who I am, you would have asked and He would have given you living water.”

She responds, “Didn’t you see the sign that says BYOB, bring your own bucket? This is a deep well how are you going to get to that living water, none the less give me some? And no way are you greater than OUR father Jacob who gave us this well.” 

Jesus answers, “If you drink this water, you will be thirsty again. If you drink the water I give, you will never thirst. In you will be a well, overflowing with eternal life.” 

She doesn't catch what Jesus means and says, “I want what you’re having. Then I won’t have to take this long walk every morning.” 

Knowing that she still doesn't hear him Jesus says to her, “Go get your husband and come back.”

She says, “I don’t have one.”

Jesus with a softer voice replies, “That is true, you have had five husbands and the guy you live with now is not your husband.”

So what? What does it matter that Jesus talked to this Samaritan woman? What is all this talk about living water, and wells?

Well, I am glad you asked. You see, Jesus was speaking directly to the gap between the Samaritans and the Jews. He knew that their spirituality had been so watered down (sorry I can’t resist a pun) that it was empty and meaningless. He presents Himself as the exclusive supplier of life to ALL mankind. This isn't just about living, it’s about living with Him. He offered a well inside of her, that springs up to eternal life. A poetic way of saying the Holy Spirit is coming, and He will be Christ in you. Jesus has complete disregard for human built cultural barriers, also known as being politically correct. After all he came to save ALL mankind. He is our water in the barren land, the one true way to God, the narrow path. He didn't save us just to prevent us from suffering death and thirst. He gives us the ability to be suppliers of water and life to those we meet, all who are thirsty. We become dealers of life, we share in the ministry, 
and we get a place in the divine romance. 

Jesus quenches.

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Archie lives with his wife Etta, and two children, in Dexter, Michigan, to which they recently returned following a two-year adventure in Nashville. We are glad to have them home! Archie is a skilled and talented songwriter and worship leader. You can read more by Archie at his blog: 

www.worshipnt.blogspot.com

We want to thank Archie for accepting our invitation to be our first guest blogger!