7 Jul 2009

John 4
For the reasons stated in v1 and 2 of John4, Jesus left and departed for Galilee. Jesus passed through Samaria.

Something happened between the Jews and the Samaritans. v9 For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans

Both worship the same God. v10 Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you
Both has the same father Jacob. v12 Are you greater than our father Jacob?
But they have some unstated hostility (v9).

The Samaritan woman has some personal problems.
She draw water at the wried hour. v6 It was about the sixth hour.
She has 5 husbands. v17 ‘I have no husband’; 18 for you have had five husbands
But she desire God. v15 The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water, so that I will not be thirsty or have to come here to draw water.”

The story unfold in such a way is that for years, nobody solve the hostility between the Jews and the Samaritians. As long as we worhsip the same God, who cares about different place. As long as we share the same Jacob well and don't talk to each other, who cares.

The woman has her set of problems. That was why she need to draw water at the sixth hour (noon) where nobody would be doing so. Why, rrobably to shunt away from everyone else.

There are problems. We need a divine insight. Jesus is the answer.
The woman knew about her problem. She did not hide them from Jesus. BUT she saw the Christ in Jesus - spiritual insight.

And because of this spiritual insight came about a radical change.
The woman went back and told the town and the people, whom she want to avoid, about Christ.
Because of her testimony, v41 And many more believed because of his word. There was some healing between the Jews and the Samaritians , v40 they asked him to stay with them.

1) Recognize the problem
2) Desire for a radical change
3) Ask for a spiritual insight
4) Do the radical change.

We must first recognize the problem and have the desire for changes.
The desires to change will come when we gain spiritual insight. Else even Jesus is in front of us, we will not see that He is Christ.
When our spiritual eyes are open, do the radical change. Like the woman who went back to told the town, despite her undesire intend to associate with them.

There are things in me that I need change. Open first my heart for a desire to change, to gain a closeness in you. More of you and less of me. Amen.