Crossing the Borders

Read John 4:1-45

6. Jesus, tired from the long walk, sat wearily beside the well about noontime.
7. Soon a Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, “Please give me a drink.”
8. He was alone at the time because his disciples had gone into the village to buy some food.
9. The woman was surprised, for Jews refuse to have anything to do with Samaritans. She said to Jesus, “You are a Jew, and I am a Samaritan woman. Why are you asking me for a drink?”
10. Jesus replied, “If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water.”
11. “But sir, you don’t have a rope or a bucket,” she said, “and this well is very deep. Where would you get this living water?” John 4:6-11

“Hi, how are ya?”
“Oh, fine. How are you?”
“Fine. Nice weather we’re having.”
“Sure is. See ya.”

If you went for months with conversations no deeper than that, you would begin to think that no one cared about you.

In this reading, Jesus has a conversation with a woman that goes way beyond small talk. When Jesus says, “Hi,” it’s not mere chitchat—he really wants to talk. Watch how Jesus approaches this conversation, and take some cues.

Jesus wants to help in a unique way—that’s the theme you’ll keep seeing in this reading. Watch for several examples of this in his conversations.

In Jesus’ day, prejudice was strong against women and Samaritans. In addition, this woman had a reputation for living in sin in the nearby village of Sychar. No respectable Jewish man would talk to such a woman. Then came the surprise of this woman’s life: Jesus engaged her in a meaningful, no-nonsense conversation.

Not all our conversations have to be a carbon copy of this one, but all should look past race, social position, or past sins, as this one did. All should bring others a glimpse of our heavenly Father’s love and offer of forgiveness, as this one did. Note that such conversations don’t have to happen in a church—this one didn’t.

Be prepared to share God’s love through your words and everyday conversations. That is where the Good News about Christ begins.