Notes from Sermon: February 24

Water
-building block of Universe
-need it to live

Jesus, transforms image: Living Water, offers it to the Samaritan woman of Sychar

"Where do you get that living water? " She replies.

We must take note:
-Jews & Samaritans did not get along, they did not share things.
-Jesus interacts with her and she sees the problem, why do you ask me?

And he offers it, she reminds them of a common ancestor, Jacob whose well they are at…

[Jacob’s well still exists, it is now in an Orthodox Church, and you can still taste from it]

“The water that I will give will become in them a spring of water gushing up to eternal life.” – Jesus The woman wanted that water but at first didn't understand that the "living water" was to believe that Jesus was the Messiah.

"Go and get your husband and bring him here," Jesus told the woman. "I don't have a husband," she replied. "You are right," Jesus answered. "You have had five husbands and the man you are living with now is not your husband." "You must be a prophet because you know everything I have done," the woman said.

Then Jesus explained to her that he was the Messiah. The woman was so excited that she ran into the city and told her friends, "Come and see a man that told me everything I have done. Surely he must be the Messiah." The disciples who had gone into town for food, returned with just food, astonished at who Jesus was talking with, not quite getting his call of discipleship.

But many Samaritans went out to see Jesus because of the woman’s testimony, she was the evangelist! They said to the woman, "We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world." Faith is our own experience.

Water refreshes the body, but it can't compare to the Living Water that Jesus gives. It revives our soul!

Do we get it? Or do we like the disciples follow but not quite understand or are we like the Samaritan woman who understands, who feels the need deep in her soul that is being filled by Jesus and she tells all.

“Hear, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest this point: the Gospel of Jesus lives and moves and has its being independent of our righteousness. Samaritans, saints, sinners —what have you. They’re included. The love of God is as unmotivated and undeserved as the sunrise, and it goes out to everyone; but only sinners get it. With no righteousness of their own to quench their thirst, they are willing to reach out and drink from the well of Jesus.” (Synthesis, HKO)

In this season of Lent, as we pray, fast and give alms, may we also see the need in our souls for that living water and be willing to reach out in our lives for it and to tell others about the Good News of Jesus.

Dear Jesus, As the deer longs for the water brooks, so do we long for you, the living water in our lives, come Lord Jesus. Amen.