In John 4 we follow Jesus as He is on His way to His home region (Galilee). On this trip, he had to pass through Samaria, (which is an area primarily populated by Samaritans who were viewed as second class citizens by the Jews) which is the most direct route, often abandoned by Jews for a route around Samaria. This journey would have been nearly 70 miles or 2 and ½ days journey on foot. We find Jesus tired and worn at Sychar in verses 5-6: John 4:5-6 5So He came to a city of Samaria which is called Sychar, near the plot of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. 6 Now Jacob’s well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied from His journey, sat thus by the well. It was about the sixth hour.It is at this point that we can make our first observation about Christ in ministry: when everyone else was doing everything they could to avoid crossing cultural and racial barriers, Christ jumped right in where a race of people, hated by the Jews, dwelt!Next we see Christ interacting with a Samaritan (which was bad enough) but a Samaritan woman (even worse). The story goes like this: Jesus is tired, the disciples were hungry so they head into the city to find some food, but Jesus stays behind. Next thing we know a Samaritan woman comes out to fetch water and Jesus begins to talk with her. This did not happen in Jesus’ day, much like middle to upper class Caucasians don’t normally talk to people who don’t fit into their comfort zones. John 4:9 9 Then the woman of Samaria said to Him, “How is it that You, being a Jew, ask a drink from me, a Samaritan woman?” For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.Next we see Jesus talking with her about her needs and her life! He talks with her about ever-lasting water, which He can give to her (this is referring to His ability as the Messiah to offer complete satisfaction in relationship with God). He talks with her about her problem of marriage and divorce as a reoccurring theme in her life. She continues to make poor decisions, but Christ does not condemn her, He only continues to teach about Himself and God the Father.All of this is completely contrary to the normal actions for the day. Jew’s don’t talk to Samaritans and they certainly didn’t give respect to women. Even Jesus’ disciples were amazed when they saw Him talking to this woman. Now, the crux of the whole passage comes as Jesus teaches His disciples. They are hungry and they want Him to eat so they can continue on with their journey. The disciples are uncomfortable and out of place culturally, but Jesus says to them: John 4:32-36 32 But He said to them, “I have food to eat of which you do not know.” 33 Therefore the disciples said to one another, “Has anyone brought Him anything to eat?” 34 Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work. 35 “Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest! 36 “And he who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life, that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together.Jesus says, I am more hungry for the spiritual fruit of lost souls receiving God’s gift than I am for my own fleshly needs (there is nothing wrong with eating, but we must evaluate what our priorities are). He also reminds them that they don’t have to wait for the harvest, it is right there and available now. Jesus shakes our understanding of real ministry: it crosses cultural and ethnic barriers, it isn’t only to people who look and live like us, and it certainly isn’t to be conducted on our time frames, the harvest is now! What does your ministering look like: are you available and actively engaged in cross cultural, racial and economic outreach. Christ certainly was and the time for harvest for us is now: LOVE THE UNLOVELY!
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on Friday, March 7th, 2008 at 16:13 and is filed under The Pastor's Corner.
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