At the Watering Hole - John 4 - Lent 3A

At the Watering Hole

Tony E Dillon Hansen

Sermon based upon John 4: 5-42, Psalm 95, Romans 5: 1-11

Opening Prayer

For a long time, when I would be in the office with other colleagues, the most interesting conversations were where? Next to the coffee or water. 

Whether you were Republican or Democrat, whether you had children or not, whether you had a Ford, Chevy, or Toyota, even across race and ethnicity, conversations could be had. 

The conversations would range from someone bucking for “coffee room attendant” to things happening in the family, to questions about the latest management revelations. So yes, we could giggle sometimes, and sometimes, the conversations were serious, concerned, or just venting in some cases. Of all of my professional conversations (if we call them that), these would be the most frank, honest and learning. 

During the pandemic, some of my favorite conversations would be on Fridays when the conversations included “what’s going on” in our lives. Each of us would grab a beverage and discuss things in the family as well as work challenges. I would learn how people from India would celebrate Holi. People would talk about being coaches for kids’ athletics or who was spending time at the house or plans for the weekend. Some of these might result in an invitation to have dinner as well. 

I think there is a bit of that frank, honest and open conversation happening here at the watering well.

We come upon this conversation between Jesus and this woman from Samaria (different cultures) at the well. Here, we don’t have an argument, but there are questions (like with Nicodemus last week.) There is an honest and frank exchange of truth. What is missing is judgment and accusations. 

We find out more about Jesus. We get the first of John’s “I am” that usually follows with a metaphor. (This harkens to when Moses first meets Yahweh at the bush, when Moses asks who are you, the response is “I am.”) This time, Jesus states “I am he.”

This whole scene is great for theater because there is something being exchanged in the conversation besides just words. Yet it is not just show because there are truths and again an invitation to belong - not just to one community but the community of God’s children. “The time is coming.. when worshippers will worship in Spirit and in truth.” 

God is calling to us with all of our questions and even with our disbelief.

Church, culture and faith are not about having all the answers but believing that what we don’t know, God will reveal to us in necessary ways. Faith is then realizing that our work is unfinished, and there are fields needing harvest. There are many around us that have “done the hard work.” Those who let their faith work for them, and let God work in that faith. Those from whom we can learn.

Don’t be just a consumer but someone who plants, does the tending, and someone who shares the fruits of God. For God tells us, all can enjoy the fruits of harvest even with our questions. 

Remember, this is what our faith is: belief in mystery, hope in the possible of God: water that gives true life, bread that nourishes beyond a meal. Believe the shepherd guides you through the gates to life with God.

Still, we all find frustration and paths that try us and people -especially some people along the way. We could walk through a meadow with peace and quiet but put people there and the questions rise - maybe tensions even. 

With God, we can navigate that course and find community that helps us realize we don’t have to do this alone. Through this community and with God, there is the possible. There is space for our questions, so ask them. Jesus wants to hear your questions and concerns - and theirs.

You may ask why the questions are so important. Whether we are talking about Nicodemus, this woman, or our own selves, the question really is: who is willing to hear that revelation and who is ready to understand the truth? Those who think they know it ? Those who tell you how they know it? 

Of those with questions… From my doctoral research to normal conversations, the person who confesses questions generally yields honest and genuine conversations. These would be part of honest and genuine faith or questions about faith that does not lord over others how they should but how they struggle with the actual questions and unknown.

Chances are those questions and concerns reflect our very own. When we realize this, then, together, we can grow in listening and learning about God.

Thus, God wants us to be with each other and work together through invitations and inclusion. Let God connect to each in unique ways. 

That is why the Psalm gives praise. When God connects and fulfills, we find all that we need in our faith. This woman’s faith is so overwhelmed with Jesus that she forgets her bucket of water - leaves it behind. Maybe, we might ask what, in our lives, needs to be left behind. What prevents us from believing and belonging?

Still there may be some that say “so what.” What does this do for me and why haven’t I felt it. Those are good questions, and there is a community like you full of questions.

Go ahead ask: What has God done for you? For us? Think about it, and I submit, the answer is right before you.

Go to the watering hole. Have courage to ask honest questions and courage to witness the answer. Have courage to be the answer. 

When you do and you let people be with you on that journey, I submit that you too will find together being the “noise of praises” rather than complaints. You will be the song of sharing rather than exclusions.

That Beloved is… 

Thanks Be to God