A narrative from the Bible which has always made me pause is found in John 4. Chances are, you know the text well. But if not, let me invite you to read from the English Standard Version.
Now when Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John (although Jesus himself did not baptize, but only his disciples), he left Judea and departed again for Galilee. And he had to pass through Samaria. So he came to a town of Samaria called Sychar, near the field that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. Jacob’s well was there; so Jesus, wearied as he was from his journey, was sitting beside the well. It was about the sixth hour.
There are a few things that strike me from this paragraph. Feel free to comment on your own. For me:
Jesus learned. This speaks to the humanity of Jesus. I believe Jesus was fully God, while at the same time fully man. He did as God does - miracles of healing, provision, etc., yet He also limited His divinity to some extent. Philippians 2 might be helpful here.
Jesus moved. The Pharisees are typically thought to be the most religious sect of the day. In other words, they knew the Old Testament Law “inside and out” and were quick to prove it. They had an immense amount of power politically. They also had been corrected numerous times throughout the Gospels, regarding their misunderstanding of God and his will. So what makes Jesus leave Judea and depart for Galilee? Was it fear? I doubt it. Was it another confrontation with the religious elite? Jesus was always up for a healthy debate so I doubt this option as well. His leaving must have been about timing. In other words, there was still work to be done before the cross. He was still on task. And that task was in lock-step with the Father.
Jesus knew. The Gospel writer pens Jesus “had to pass through Samaria.” On the surface the phrase seems strange. Church historians are quick to point out that Jews moving North to South or vice-versa would typically travel to the East side of the Jordan - a place deemed the “Trans-Jordan” - to negate interacting with the Samaritan people. It would take too much time and space here to describe the reason Jews chose to disengage from Samaritans. Suffice it to say there was hate involved on both sides. But the text says, Jesus had to pass through Samaria. Why? And did John know what He meant when the Holy Spirit prompted him to write those words? Perhaps Jesus had to because ministry came calling. More about this in the next few posts but this was a God-appointed time for a woman at the well.
Jesus is in the right place. Again, I will address this idea in a future post. But look again at the setting. … Sychar, near the field that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. Jacob’s well was there; so Jesus… This is no coincidence. You don’t need me to tell you Jesus knows exactly what He’s doing. And right place, right time? You betcha! God knew exactly who this woman is and where she would be at Noon (a time that most women choose not to draw water). This is where the phrase “had to” becomes so important. This particular town is near what was once thought to have been the patriarch Joseph’s field. And it was given to him by his father, Jacob. In other words, the tradition here is deep.
Jesus listened. John records Jesus was weary from his journey. Surely this again points to his humanity. After all, a God never becomes tired. Yet He’s at the town well. Spoiler alert: Jesus has sent His apostles into town to buy food, thereby creating this one-on-one conversation with a Samaritan woman. I believe it’s safe to say Jesus listened to the plans of the Father. Later in the text, it will become obvious He also listens to the woman who is in desperate need of One who will listen.
I’ve confessed before. I’m a slow learner. But I’m often reminded I can’t control time. In other words, I have to trust that the One who controls time does so from the grand scheme to the minutiae. His ways are much higher than my ways. And His ways are always right.
Why does this text constantly invite me to pause? Maybe because I still haven’t understood I’m well (no pun intended) behind where I need (or want) to be.
Although I’ve read and studied this text many times, God shows me more each time. Even in this paragraph there is so much depth that I believe most glance over quickly. It’s not until I consciously choose to slow down with the text that I see deeper things. For that reason, I must be intentional about slowing the pace of life and “chewing” on the text. I see God’s love for those society was quick to dismiss. I see His love and grace for me. And I’m reminded that no persons or people group is outside His purview. I hope that’s a bit more clear.
God’s timeline and our timelines don’t always match up. It’s hard to be in the middle of a trying time when everything seems to be going wrong. It’s not easy to be patient and wait on God’s timing, but it’s one thing I’m continually working on.