Living Water - John 4:1-42 - Lent 3A

Living Water 

Tony E Hansen

Sermon based upon John 4; Psalm 95; Exodus 17: 1-7

Opening prayer

John 4 and 3 provide us some real dialog between Jesus and people in the stories.  In these dialogs, we are taught as observers something about God and what God is for us and has for us. 

Last week, Nicodemus questioned the idea of being born again and Jesus tells us that refers to being born of the womb of mother and also that from the Spirit.  We are born from the Spirit.  When we acknowledge this, we acknowledge our connection to God as children of God and what God does for us - sending Christ into the world to free us and give us eternal life through the Spirit.

This week, we find ourselves at another great conversation, not from a religious elder but a woman drawing water from the well.

The conversation swiftly goes from talking about simply drawing water from a well to theology:  something called living water, which people who drink of it will never thirst again. 

Where can one find this water?

The woman,… incidentally, what do we think of her?  We don’t know her except what is discussed here. We know that she has had multiple partners, including one she lives with today. Do we know anything about that or do people automatically goto “promiscuous” person or can’t keep a relationship? We know nothing about the men, how they called her or how the relations ended. She is a product of a patriarchal society.

Perhaps, she is the woman with dying husband who had 6 brothers to follow (Matthew 22:23–33)? 

Still, people judge her for all of it rather than just welcoming her. (We know people are assuming and reading into it.)

Lets call her Agua. 

In contrast, Jesus doesn’t demean her or say derogatory things to her. Why would we and where are our perfect lives to match?

Jesus sees her, talks to her, listens to her and gives her what she asks. No judgment given, no shame brought, no “you are one of those people.” Just divine welcoming presence. 

What does Agua do? 

Agua leaves her jar at the well, goes into the village, and tells everyone, “You have to meet this one!” She was curious and now Agua invites others into the hospitality that she has found in Jesus.  

Meanwhile, the disciples are astonished at Jesus speaking to Agua. They might be judging. 

They are more concerned about food. Another theological consideration is almost looked over. Jesus tells them “my food is [from the one] who sent me…” 

They dont seem to understand. It extends the concept that Agua understands. 

Jesus says the harvest is ready but is not talking about fruit or wheat. Agua brought people to Jesus and the disciples did not. “Others have labored and you have entered into their labor.”

Dont take credit for doing nothing or for other peoples’ work.

More, Jesus is talking about being fishers-harvesters of people; those who want to be welcomed to the table, who thirst for fulfilled Spirit, who hunger for something beyond food. 

Agua is a spectacular example of this as she is amazed by Jesus and wants to share this experience. She could have many excuses to go about her day, but she becomes a witness and a fisher of people. She finds living water, water that cleans, welcomes, and forgives in what Jesus says to her and wants to share this. 

In contrast, the disciples are quarreling whether there are vittles without realizing the Spirit working among them. They missed the whole exchange so it isn’t entirely their fault. I have a feeling when Jesus says that “I have food that you don’t know about…” that kind of goes over their heads. Like, This guy is delirious with hunger and we need to get him something. 

Great that they want to attend to the physical needs, but Jesus is more than physical: something far more sustaining than stomach growls. They looked right over Agua and her gifts.

We know people like that too in our lives who speak and talk about knowing Jesus, praying to Jesus and doing some of the things.  Yet, there is something missing there. There are some points they forget. They may have forgotten what it is like to discover and really listen to Jesus.

In one conversation, Agua gets it and wants to share this living water. She is genuine, she is real, she has stories to tell, she is imperfect and she is willing to truly listen to what Jesus says. Her excitement  and discovery are enough to bring crowds to Jesus to learn more. 

“Don’t just take my word for it, go and listen.” People with egos might want to spin that some, “Take my word for it, Jesus is the bees knees! Here is what I think Jesus says…”

Why dont we instead invite people to find and listen to the Spirit in their hearts?  After all, Jesus is pretty clear about the path to sustaining life that is nonviolent, non-threatening, patient, loving and welcoming.

You and I came to Jesus in different ways, and people will continue in their ways. I can tell you my experience (I do tell you), but letting Spirit reveal is way more than I can ever do. Letting God do amazing work is dropping personal ego to let the Spirit work. 

Even those who never knew Jesus, aren’t even religious, but are doing what God / Jesus wants, they are doing divine work - regardless how many partners they have had, what status in society, or what creed they say or dont. They can be teachers to us in our church.

Lift up what God has done in each of us.

The harvest is here, and time to bring in that harvest, to be fishers of people. To lift up what is good in our community: what God is doing in our community. 

Disciples of Christ: find in people the welcoming, non-judging, love, forgiveness and wisdom that is the living water of Jesus.  Let the Spirit be with us and teach us. 

Lets do that; find living water and eternal life inside.

Amen