Water of life
Day 395, Wednesday, Sept. 10
John Chapter 4 – 5:15
One of the most famous conversion stories in the Bible is in today’s reading: the story we usually call The Woman at the Well.
For Jesus to interact with the woman, and for him to ask her for a drink of water, was astonishing in itself.
A Jew would not normally want to have any contact with a Samaritan. To ask one for a favor that would include sharing a cup would be unthinkable. That is without even considering the prejudices of the day about a man speaking to and risking contact with a woman who was not a member of his family.
Yet Jesus engages her in conversation and soon reveals that he already knows she has lived a life that would brand her as an impure woman, being married multiple times and now living with a man who is not her husband.
While this is a record of an actual encounter and not just a parable, it acts as a living parable to make a lot of points about how followers of Jesus should relate to their world: without limits and without barriers.
As with a parable, Jesus uses water to teach a lesson, considering it both as literal water and also as a symbol.
As literal water he uses is as an introduction to a conversation and as evidence he is willing to cross traditional boundaries. As a symbol, he refers to himself as living water that leads to eternal life.
-Rev. Mark Fleming
Wednesday meditation
Job 33:1-11
“But now, Job, listen to my words; pay attention to everything I say. I am about to open my mouth; my words are on the tip of my tongue. My words come from an upright heart; my lips sincerely speak what I know. The Spirit of God has made me; the breath of the Almighty gives me life. Answer me then, if you can; stand up and argue your case before me. I am the same as you in God’s sight; I too am a piece of clay. No fear of me should alarm you, nor should my hand be heavy on you.
“But you have said in my hearing—I heard the very words—‘I am pure, I have done no wrong; I am clean and free from sin. Yet God has found fault with me; he considers me his enemy. He fastens my feet in shackles; he keeps close watch on all my paths.’
Prayer focus
God, let us see you when we look at our brothers and sisters, and not see those prejudices and characteristics that divide us.