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Sir, Give Me This Water
Exodus 17:1-7; John 4:5-42

Pastor Kelly's message is built around the following video, a clip from Season 1, Episode 8 of "The Chosen", a series about the life of Jesus. The portion we focused on begins at about 01:30. For more information about "The Chosen", visit their website.
Jesus was tired, hot, and hungry. 
What a reminder that opportunities to share our faith don’t always happen when we’re well rested, or when it fits conveniently into our day.  We need to be ready at all times to speak about or represent Jesus.  
 
“Would you give me a drink?” said Jesus.     
“You, a Jew, ask me a Samaritan woman, for water?”  
“I’m sorry, I should have said please.” 
     This woman was defensive with good reason.  She was out alone at noon, fetching water because she had no relative or servant.  It was forbidden for a Jewish man to speak to an unaccompanied female in public.  That restriction was especially important for a rabbi.  Jesus wasn’t put off by that - he remained relaxed and welcoming.  He also paid no mind to her gender, a radical choice in that day.   
     We’re called to follow Jesus’ example, to be relaxed and welcoming with all.  When we’re genuinely interested in people, they may even lower their guard.      
     This woman being a Samaritan also made her wary.  For more than 600 years there’d been bitterness between her fellow Jews living in the south of Israel and the 10 tribes to the north who were taken into captivity.  When they were freed and returned, the two groups discovered that their religious beliefs and traditions had changed over time; there was longer unity.  Feuds followed, leading to entrenched hatred, not unlike what we see in the news between Israelis and Palestinians. 
     Today, as we’re surrounded by people from different lands and religions, Jesus expects us to see all people as our neighbors.  If any grievance develops, we’re called to the hard but important work of reconciliation, with God as our helper.      
 
“Why so late in the day?” said Jesus.
“No one wants to be seen with me.”
“Why?” 
“Long story.”

     This woman who’d had five husbands was shunned; that led to isolation.  Who today is shunned or shamed?  Who’s lonely for company, but no one really wants to be associated with them?  Jesus went out of his way to spend time with a well-known “loose woman,” a sinner.  If he had settled in her city, she would have been a welcomed friend.  Are there categories of people with whom we don’t want to associate?   Who else will show kindness to outcasts, if Christians don’t go out of their way to do this?    
 
“Aren’t I unclean to you; won’t you be defiled by this vessel?”
“Maybe some of my people say that but I don’t.”
     People who’ve been deeply hurt in life often test those who reach out in caring ways.  They may bring up all they see that’s bad about themselves and watch our reaction; they challenge us because they don’t easily trust that we really care about them.  Jesus didn’t turn away from people; he went far and wide searching for the lost and overlooked.  Are you and I on the lookout as well, for people who feel unseen, unworthy, or unlovable? 
 
Jesus said: “If you knew who I was, you’d ask me for a drink, and I’d give you living water.” 
Taking this literally, the woman said: “You have nothing to draw water from the well.”  
     Anyone who drinks water to quench their thirst will eventually (in 4 hours, or 7 or 10) crave more.  Our physical bodies can only be temporarily satisfied.  Jesus contrasted our need for constant replenishment of water for our bodies, a thirsting that never ends, with what He offers. 
       I want to pause here and use a translation Jews instantly understood, but we can’t because we have no first-hand knowledge of Hebrew.  Jesus said: “Everyone who drinks water from this well will be thirsty again, but whoever takes one drink of the water that I give will never be thirsty again.”  Jesus completely satisfies. Not a physical need but our spiritual need. All who believe in Jesus will be saved. The theme throughout John’s gospel is:  Believe in God.   If you want a powerful reminder of this in your life, read the book of John.  And encourage others who wonder about Jesus to read it as well.      
     
Jesus shocked the woman at the well when he said she’d been married five times and was now living with a man.  She’d feistily challenged him to “prove” himself.   She’d tried to deflect the truth but Jesus can’t be fooled.  The best policy for all of us is complete, immediate honesty with God.     
 
“I see you’re a prophet, you preach to me.  I come here at this time of day to escape being condemned.” 
Jesus said: “I’m not here to condemn you.”

     Does a person need to be perfect to come before Jesus?   Everyone sins; we know what’s right but do what is wrong.  Do you think there are sins so terrible God will not forgive them?   If you’ve said or done things you think will repel Jesus’ love, you’re wrong.  Jesus doesn’t even flinch when he sees us at our worst.   He came to seek and save people who had no hope, but so much pain.  He wasn’t interested in harassing people about their sin - he wanted to show them the Way to the Father.   Let’s take in these truths for ourselves and share them with others.    
 
“My people worship here, but you Jews insist the only place to worship is in Jerusalem.  Where am I supposed to go when I need help?”  
“Anywhere.  God is spirit; the time is coming and is now here when it won’t matter where you worship.  God wants you to seek him with your heart and mind.”
     One thing God wants above all is for us to keep our focus on Him in life.  We can worship God any time, pray anywhere, commune with God alone or with others, inside a building or in nature.  Sadly, the Israelites in the north and south lost sight of this freedom, fighting about which temple location was “The Right One”: Jerusalem or Mt. Gerazim.  In their arguments about where to worship,  they failed to focus on who is worshipped.
 
The good news is that Jesus promised, “a time is coming when people will worship the Father in spirit and in truth.” 
He also offered this assurance:  Soon it won’t matter where you’ve come from or what you’ve done.    
 
The woman at the well did not believe what Jesus said.  When people are hurt, it can be very hard to trust anyone.  She made her thoughts clear, saying, “Not until the Messiah comes and explains everything and sorts this mess out, including me, I don’t trust in anyone.”  
  “This Messiah you speak of, I am he.”
 
     Little did she know that the mess of her life would soon become a mighty message about God’s love.  But because she still doubted, Jesus told her all the intimate details of her marriages.  The Bible doesn’t share those, but in The Chosen, Jesus said:  “You were a woman of purity, but your first husband hurt you and made you question marriage and even the practice of your faith.  The only truly godly man you’ve been with was your second husband, but you felt unworthy.”
 
Jesus continued saying “I have not revealed myself to the public as the Messiah.  You are the first.  It would be good if you believed me.”
 
“You picked the wrong person.”   
“I came to Samaria just to meet you.  You think it’s an accident I’m here in the middle of the day?”
     God reveals himself to those who are ready, and willing to face the truth. 
 
“I am rejected by others.” 
“I know.  But not by the Messiah.” 
     Rejection.  In the world we live in, can a person’s past end up defining and confining them for the long haul?  There are no do-overs… poor choices can ruin someone’s reputation.  Jesus offers us a way to have a new life, to be set free in our hearts.  Salvation is ours for the asking, but the condition is that we repent of our sins.  This morning, do you have the assurance that when you confess your sins to God, you are forgiven?  You are accepted and acceptable in His sight.   
 
Now for the exciting end to today’s story.  
“So you know these things about me… because you are the Christ.”  Jesus smiled and nodded.
 
“I’m going to tell everyone.”   
​“I was counting on that.”  
   
Off she went joyfully saying: “This man has told me everything I ever did!”      
     What was once bad news became the source of her Good News.  She believed he was the Christ.  He went out of his way, into Samaria of all places, to see her.  For the rest of her life, she told others about the day she went to draw water to drink from Jacob’s well, but took one drink of living water and was never thirsty again.  Thanks be to God, amen!  

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