Sermon: Living Water

We all get thirsty. Take us to a hot, dry place, and we too will ‘grumble’ to our leader about needing sustenance, especially water….. or a nice cup of tea…. We’ve probably all been on those type of coach trips…..

How about a longer journey….. in the Wilderness….. away from all you know…. Following a leader in faith….. faith, perhaps in God…. But a leader that is human and…. Promised so much…. and….. not delivering…… we want more!

OK that just sounds like the worst kind of parish retreat; the coach broke down….. no one likes the food….. the weather is rubbish… you get the idea…. You’ve probably been there….!

It is the experience of Israel in the Wilderness, following Moses – they have been here a long time…. previously they were hungry and God gave them Manna – bread to sustain them on their long, testing sojourn….

Now they thirst for water…. who can blame them, surely!
Perhaps it could be “water” that connects our readings today…. mmm maybe….

In our gospel reading we find Jesus asking for a drink of water. Surely this is a straightforward moment of thirstiness in the middle of a hot day….. A man, by a well – a popular biblical meeting place….

“Any chance of a drink of water….?”
Hmmm.

Jesus is in an unexpected place, doing something that would not have been anticipated by anyone.

Jesus and the disciples are in Samaria – Jesus asks for a drink of water – from a local woman….

Now, I want to say: “what could possibly go wrong?”….!
You just know that things are not as they seem….. that anything could happen…..

Yet nothing goes “wrong”. In fact, it all seems to go “right”, in that special kind of Jesus-way!

Too simplistic….. ? Fair comment….

What do we know of this woman with whom Jesus seems to seek out?
Not much, really, and what we do “know” cannot be taken at face-value.
We know that she goes to the well during the middle of the day at a time when there will be fewer women – maybe she has no desire for sneering looks and un-restrained gossip….who would?

And yes, her personal life story seems very complicated…..
In first century Palestine, women very much relied on a patriarchal household for survival. For women, marriage began early, often to older men. Roman marriage laws stipulated only the freeborn could marry, and then only to another freeborn person.

Even when married, divorce was at the whim of the husband. If the husband died, the woman may then need the security of marriage to another family member to retain any status she had. Even living as an unmarried couple – though unsuitable – may have been one of few real choices she had.

Then again, does the number of husbands refer to Israel’s use of spousal metaphors to describe God’s passionate, covenant love for the chosen people? As some scholars have considered…..

Samaria had strayed, worshiping other gods. So, was Jesus speaking metaphorically about Samaria’s infidelity — pointing out that Samaria’s current “husband” was not a source of living water for the people?

Whatever else she may have been, the Samaritan woman was probably not an un-relenting divorcee, nor should she be cast as the harlot or adulteress that many have done over the years! I wander how her own experience of such presumptions would have felt?

Jesus isn’t judging her for her sins in this narrative….. so why would we?

She engages with Jesus…. he asks her for a drink….. what must that have meant for her? To be asked by a Jewish man… to share water with him….?

In verse 9, we have the rather simplistic statement that “Jews don’t share things in common with Samaritans”. Primarily they kept their distances, but the enmity between these two peoples was considerably more severe than is implied here.
Rabbinic law, historical enmities, differing theologies, contested geography – leading to violent oppression and discrimination…. Jews rarely ventured into Samaritan towns…. But here is Jesus with the disciples….. passing through!

We are now quite familiar with the ways in which Jesus often pushed the boundaries, even openly flouting the social mores and cultural taboos of the day.

Here He is, already considered as a holy man, a rabbi, and he is alone with a woman, a Samaritan woman of dubious moral standing – considered in rabbinic law as ritually unclean…..

Jesus pushes back – eager to get to the root…. the spiritual core of the moment…..
So He offers love and acceptance to this woman by demonstrating His willingness to drink from her cup, before offering her a drink from his.

In John’s Gospel we often find misunderstanding in conversations with Jesus – He speaks of Heaven whereas those listening do so with ears truly of earth. Jesus is all about the Spiritual…. We may recall the intriguing dialogue with Nicodemus, in last weeks Gospel….. visiting in secret by night, Nicodemus has questions and doubts.
Here we have a frank exchange, in the light and warmth of day, in a public space….

This woman of Samaria spars with Him on where true worship is found, referring to the disagreements about places of worship – Gerazim or Jerusalem – yet Jesus speaks of a time when such places won’t be necessary. She probes further, ultimately discovering all her hopes in the Messiah before her.

Then the disciples turn up from their shopping trip, wondering who has been feeding Jesus! He speaks of a spiritual hunger, foreseeing the harvest to come, beyond Jerusalem, prompted by these moments with a Samaritan.

The outsider asked questions, offered challenge – yet humility, acknowledged pain; encountered the Messiah and shared this revelation with her community to great effect! The disciples…… on this occasion….. not so much – and they spent all their time with Jesus. How Jesus must have yearned to have rich exchanges with the disciples – with so much entrusted to them for the Kingdom, yet so often focused on earthly matters.

The Israelites remonstrating with Moses in the desert seem to have forgotten all that God did to release them from captivity – out of Egypt – and are now seemingly unwilling to recall Gods faithfulness to them amidst all the trials and challenges of the Wilderness years. They always needed more. So much taken for granted. Faith is hard won. Especially for Moses! He was going to get lynched….. serious stuff…..!

For the Samaritan Woman, forever hearing others speak less than kindly of herself, she now receives grace and acceptance…. Transformation in abundance! The Living Water that gushes up through her is like a spring, a fountain! A spiritual thirst that can now be quenched!

With God, nothing is ever what is might seem at first glance.
What SIGNS are we witnessing right now? What is the NARRATIVE that we need to look at through the eyes of faith and spiritual wisdom?

Well, once again we are witnessing communities in fear……people are afraid of how the fabric and cohesion of society is so easily disturbed and diminished by an unseen threat. Maybe worse will come. Uncertainty will prevail.

We take note of advice and follow guidance, to protect ourselves and our communities. More restrictions may well affect us here…..

Do we take it all for granted, this Christian life, this God given earth; the blessings and curses of life?

Do the seasons of the Church – the change of scenery – soundscape and scripture segments: do they carry us forward uplifted?

If we cannot meet together, here, each week; if we cannot share what we normally share, are we still CHURCH?

How are we community if we are not communing?

Well…. We are…. Aren’t we? We always are. We have to be.
We need this place – not the stones…. but our time together – its a core aspect of being Christian, of living a life of faith.
Yet.

What will we do if we cannot be together – for a while?
We will continue living our Christian life, that’s what we will do – expressing love and compassion, seeking fellowship – pouring the grace and salvation of Jesus into the places we inhabit …. As we always try to do, as we always hope to do…. Pray to do…. For that is who we are – the disciples that we are called to be.

God’s hope for us, our yearning for Living Water…… Nothing shall hold us back…..
If we were to be in exile….. strangers in a strange land…. would we still be true disciples then, accepting our differences and celebrating life with one another, without counting the cost; giving thanks and offering ourselves to God?

Yes, I believe we would.

If we find ourselves wondering in the Wilderness alongside others desperate for Living Water….. what then?

We are community within these walls and without. You don’t need me to tell you that….
But how will we live and how do we remain inclusive and welcoming…?

We can do practical things for one another, and our neighbours – especially those who are feeling more isolated than usual. Stay in touch – keep talking, share news – now more than ever; if we are not present with one another, and it may happen, use the wonders of the modern age to keep us together – as ministers to one another – and to our communities. We are not called to protect only ourselves….

Here, we gather in the name of Jesus Christ in this house of God……

And that is what make is special, yes….. and we find encouragement and sustenance here…..

Here is sanctuary…..

Beyond these walls we are still Church – scripture is available, prayer is always with us, communication and fellowship still possible…..

Turn fear into hope – comfort the unwell and reassure the isolated…..
Take that sanctuary with you….

Now is the time for us to be a well of abundant, Living Water.
It is not ours alone – it is a blessing for everyone who seeks it….. that all might be saved…

Have faith!
For when the Messiah is stood before us, and He says – “I am He”…… what are you going to do?

Ⓒ Simon Beresford 2019

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Exodus 17.1-7
John 4.5-42