The Woman at the Well

²⁵ The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.” ²⁶ Then Jesus declared, “I, the one speaking to you—I am he.” -John 4:25-26

One of my most favorite Gospel stories is the Woman at the Well.  Many years ago I did a monologue on her for Lent and my study of her for that monologue brought me to love her.  What baggage she brought to her impromptu coversation with Jesus!

A lot of this baggage is just guessing, and I'm guessing she didn't have a real happy childhood.  I'm guessing she never really felt good enough and her parents probably contributed to that feeling.  I'm guessing she didn't have a lot of friends... it's hard to like someone when it is clear they don't like themselves.  The only way she could feel accepted was through "friendship" with boys and then relationships with men.

But she was smart.  And she was spiritual.  That much is clear because of the questions she had for Jesus and the observations she made to his comments.

I love the fact that Jesus first revealed his identity and purpose to a woman... and to a Samaritan woman at that.  But I am awed by the fact that he chose this woman --- this woman who needed to feel accepted just for who she was... who needed to feel loved, not for what she could give, but simply because she existed.  This woman who had so much more to offer than trekking to the well for water for her live-in boyfriend.  This woman who probably didn't even realize herself what she had to offer.

She brought her community to come see Love first-hand.  She invited her friends and neighbors to Christ.

That's our job too.

Lord,

Thank you for this wonderful story from your life.  Help us to treat one another with the same respect and love even if we don't think they have anything to offer.  Amen.

Joys:  Getting to be there for someone yesterday; getting ready to go for my mountain hike this morning; great weather.