December 17 - Sychar
The town of Sychar is important because of a conversation that occurred there which is recorded in John, chapter 4 between Jesus and a woman at the well. We give significance to this story because it is here Jesus requests the woman drawing water at the well to give him a drink and then explains that he can provide a living water.
"Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” (v 4:14)
It is also in this encounter that he tells the woman that he is the Messiah. Packed into these few verses we find a wealth of understanding about the hope and salvation found in Jesus as the living water.
Beyond these obvious spiritual insights we gain from the encounter at Sychar there are other important insights as well. This conversation is significant for many reasons as it demonstrates Jesus’ willingness to break boundaries, rules, and prohibitions in order to share the hope of salvation he brings to all people.
Considering the context of this encounter between Jesus and the Samaritan woman this conversation should have never happened for several reason. The first being the highly patriarchal nature of the culture. A rabbi (Jesus) would not typically speak publicly with a woman. The fact he is willing to speak to her at all, much less the depth of this very personal encounter is remarkable. The second striking aspect of their engagement is because she was a Samaritan. The racial and cultural hatred between Jews and Samaritans of that time is well documented by Biblical Scholars. Jesus reaches beyond such boundaries to share the message of the emerging Kingdom of God. Misogyny and prejudice have no place in the Kingdom of God.
The Messiah comes for all people. Those things that would separate us from one another and from the hope found in the living water must be discarded.
It is striking that the few remaining Samaritans in Palestine today seek neutrality during Israeli and Palestinian conflict that is raging as you read these words. They will tell the world that they stand in a unique place trying to be a bridge between these hostile groups and that peace and cooperation is the only way forward for everyone.
During this Advent season we should take their example to heart and pray that the Prince of Peace who visited the Samaritan woman at the well in Sychar will bring his peace to all.
"Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” (v 4:14)
It is also in this encounter that he tells the woman that he is the Messiah. Packed into these few verses we find a wealth of understanding about the hope and salvation found in Jesus as the living water.
Beyond these obvious spiritual insights we gain from the encounter at Sychar there are other important insights as well. This conversation is significant for many reasons as it demonstrates Jesus’ willingness to break boundaries, rules, and prohibitions in order to share the hope of salvation he brings to all people.
Considering the context of this encounter between Jesus and the Samaritan woman this conversation should have never happened for several reason. The first being the highly patriarchal nature of the culture. A rabbi (Jesus) would not typically speak publicly with a woman. The fact he is willing to speak to her at all, much less the depth of this very personal encounter is remarkable. The second striking aspect of their engagement is because she was a Samaritan. The racial and cultural hatred between Jews and Samaritans of that time is well documented by Biblical Scholars. Jesus reaches beyond such boundaries to share the message of the emerging Kingdom of God. Misogyny and prejudice have no place in the Kingdom of God.
The Messiah comes for all people. Those things that would separate us from one another and from the hope found in the living water must be discarded.
It is striking that the few remaining Samaritans in Palestine today seek neutrality during Israeli and Palestinian conflict that is raging as you read these words. They will tell the world that they stand in a unique place trying to be a bridge between these hostile groups and that peace and cooperation is the only way forward for everyone.
During this Advent season we should take their example to heart and pray that the Prince of Peace who visited the Samaritan woman at the well in Sychar will bring his peace to all.
Pastor Matt Knapp
Sturgeon Bay Moravian
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