John: A Gospel for Tumultuous Times # 6

John 4:1-39  Women Talking

John puts a lot into these long discourses that Jesus had with people whom he unexpectedly encountered. His encounters with women, with Samaritans, with Gentiles prepared the way for the early church to become more than a Jewish sect.  The Jews who were following Jesus probably didn’t expect that his teaching would lead them, after the resurrection, to expand their group to include their estranged cousins (the Samaritans) and their traditional enemies (the Gentiles).  In choosing to speak with the Samaritan woman, Jesus broke so many barriers: male and female; Jew and Samaritan; respected rabbi and ostracized woman. 

Photo by Mimi Thian (unsplash)

The conversation about worship can provide for us some clues to help us break down barriers we have created.  Neither the woman nor Jesus tried to diminish the historic differences that divided their two communities.  Sometimes we like to engage with people who are different by focusing on how we are really all the same.  Such a focus may get the relationship started, but it won’t get us very far.  Wrestling honestly with our differences won’t likely convert one or the other.  More likely, as Jesus predicted, both will be changed.  How do we make room for new immigrants that want to convert us to their way of thinking?  Is it necessary for us to convert them? How do we reconcile with our indigenous people?  If we acknowledge the truth that their land was stolen by our ancestors, what does it mean for us to give it back--or for them to take it back? Can we get to a point where we all “worship in spirit and truth?”  Honest conversation about our differences is a good starting point.