Living Water
The Gospel lesson for the 2nd Sunday in Lent is the account of
Jesus asking for water at Jacob’s well in Samaria , recorded in John 4:4-26. Stefano Erardi (1630-1716) created
the painting of “Christ and the Samaritan woman.” Stefano was a French artist
in the 17th century whose work was mainly in the Mannerism style. This painting is now at the National Fine Arts Museum in Malta.
As you focus on the details of the painting, you notice the Samaritan
woman’s reaction of surprise as expressed by her hand placed against her chest
as though in disbelief. Christ points a finger – not in accusation – but to
communicate His innocent request for some water. Though He is the Messiah, He
still portrays an expression of humility and compassion for this woman. It is
hot in the noonday sun. Christ wishes for her find refreshment by drinking
deeply from the water of life He is providing her – not in Jacob’s well, but in
Himself and in His words.
Christ offers living water to you in His house of worship. He points His
finger at you. He knows who you are and what you have done. But that is why His
finger is extended – to invite you to come closer. He speaks to you. You have
every right to be afraid, for you know who you and what you have done. But that
is why He speaks to you – to draw you closer to Him so He might forgive
you.
The world today is much like Samaria – a place of religious confusion. You are very
much like a Samaritan woman – your life is a mess, your marriage is falling
apart, you are uncomfortable, unhappy, misunderstood … looking for water in the
noonday sun.
Too often you choose to quench your thirst in whatever feels right at the
time. This may temporarily satisfy you, but the guilt and shame will leave you
even thirstier when you are done.
That’s why coming to Jacob’s well in your local church is so vital. It is a
place of respite in a world gone mad. It is an oasis in a parched desert. It is
refreshment in the blistering heat of the noonday sun.
Each week in church, Jesus is sitting by the well of the baptismal font –
the font that He dug with His own death and resurrection and filled with His
water of life. Living water that washes you clean of your inborn and daily
sins. Jesus is at the communion rail – inviting you to eat and drink once again
of His body and blood so that you may have life in Him. Spiritual food and
drink that gives you strength to live in this parched and dreary world of sin
and death. Jesus is at the altar, the lectern and the pulpit – offering His
words of life eternal. You are invited to drink deeply of His living words of
forgiveness in the absolution, Gospel, sermon and benediction.
It was no coincidence that
Jesus was there at Jacob’s well that day in Samaria .
And it is no coincidence that Jesus is in your church. He has come for you. He
has come to give you a gift. “If you knew
the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked
him and he would have given you living water” (John 4:10 ). Drink deeply of Christ’s Living Water. Stay
connected to Him daily, weekly, continually, for life. For this is Living Water
in the noonday sun.
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