Pastor’s Pen

“Then the woman left her water jar and went back to the city. She said to the people, “Come and see a man who told me everything I have ever done! He cannot be the Messiah, can he?” (John 4:28-29)

It is a curious phrase isn’t it.  She left her water jar behind and went back to the city.  The day didn’t end up the way it began.  The woman left her home to go and get water in the heat of the day because she wanted to avoid all of the gossip and talk behind her back because of her life lived with sadness and pain around the loss of husbands.  She wanted to just get the water and go home.  But after her encounter with Jesus, the source of living water, she saw her life in a different way.  She began to see opportunities, where before she just wanted to get through life.  Jesus offered her freedom from the ridicule and scorn.  She left her water jar and went back to the city, to the very ones who teased and scoffed at her with a simple word of challenge: “Come and see…”.

We don’t often think about this encounter when we think of our own life.  We can’t imagine what it would be like, because we don’t necessarily want this encounter.  We like our lives to be calm and methodical.  We like to be in charge and know what will happen.  Chance encounters with God are too scary.  You never know how you will be changed.  So, we like to keep our faith eyes forward and not look around to see the opportunities that abound in our lives.  We like the safety of our own wants and desires and know how each day will go by.  That is how her day began.  Schlepping for water and getting back home to cook and clean and get on with life.  Little did she know that Jesus had something more to offer her.  Life-giving water.  New eyes to see the world and her neighbors.

The townspeople came to see this too because of her simple invitation to come and see.  This is the miracle of faith.  New eyes to see God at work each and every day.  Will you dare to open your eyes and see the opportunities that await you?  This is the good news for us.  Blessings on your journey!

Peace,

Pastor Tim