- Epiphany........
- Revealing the
Life of
- Jesus.
The 2nd Sunday
January 16
We are in a transition from Christmas to Lent. On the Christian calendar, Epiphany represents an increased time of Spiritual understanding about who Jesus is and what his mission is. Sometimes that increased understanding comes like a flash of light. At other times it comes slowly but steadily as an increased assurance that "this is the way, walk you in it." This increased spiritual understanding of Jesus Christ is the essence of growing in the knowledge and likeness of Jesus.
This event in the life of Jesus as told by John deals with the growth of spiritual understanding from the Samaritan woman's life, the Disciple's life, the life of the people of Sychar. Jesus and his disciples opened all of those spiritual eyes from a two-day visit in their town. Who were these Samaritans? "They were colonists, who had been settled there by the Assyrians 700 years before (II Kings 17:6, 24, 26, 29; Ezra 4:1, 9, 10). They had accepted the Jewish religion, the Pentateuch, Jacob in place of Abraham, and looked for the Messiah to come who would tell them all things, and take over." Class notes W.N. King, Gospel of John.
Jesus was on his way from Judaea to Galilee, and John adds, "And he had to pass through Samaria." v.4 It was not normal for the Jewish people to go through Samaria. They avoided going through there even though it was the most direct route from Judaea to Galilee. John tells us that the Jews had no dealings with Samaritans, and from the tone of the woman's early conversation, it seems that the Samaritans had very little dealings with the Jews. The disciples are about to learn that God so loved the world…that whosoever (Jew or anyone else) believes on him might have eternal life.
Jesus meets the woman in the most ordinary of circumstances--drawing water, a daily chore for her. Most every day she had to come to this well and draw water for her household. But this day is different. This is the day that the Christ will reveal to her that he had no need for her to tell him her life's story because as she said, "Come, see a man who told me all the things that I have done." v.29 The first beginning of understanding was when she said, "Sir I perceive that you are a prophet." After further conversation she reports to the town that this may be the Christ, asking the question in a negative manner, wanting a positive response .
The disciples returned from town where they had bought food, and found Jesus talking to a woman of Samaria. Given their racial prejudice toward Samaritans, you would have thought that they would have spoken out about this breech of etiquette. John tells us that they did not ask why he had broken down this racial barrier. I'm really glad they didn't belabor the issue. Too often the disciples are shown in a narrow mindedness that is the twin of bigotry, but not this day. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is breaking out of its "Jews only" mode.
Jesus uses the opportunity to tell them that his passion for souls supersedes, at that time, his physical hunger. They are beginning to understand his soul's desire for the regenerating and making holy the lives of these Samaritans. There are no miracles here. There are no signs and wonders in Samaria. Here is a harvest that is brought about strictly by the revelation of who he is and what he knows about the deepest secrets of the human heart.
The fields are white and ready for harvest. Really? But it is only November or December--there are four more months to harvest. The thought here is that when Jesus says the fields are ready for harvest no matter the month, harvest should begin. These disciples had not had part in the plowing or the sowing, for some one else had done that, but when harvest came, they were to work to bring in the harvest. The light is dawning in their minds, and in their souls, that they are with the Lord of the harvest.
Then the last group to gain spiritual insight is the town people of Sychar. What a reception they gave Jesus. They believed first because of the word of the woman by the well-"He told me all the things I had done." Then their faith becomes personal: "For we have heard for ourselves, and know that this One is indeed the Savior of the world. They were so enthralled with Christ's words that they were asking him to stay with them. John doesn't say it, and you know I'm guessing a little here, but I think their asking him to stay kept him there for an extra two days. Remember when the two disciples on the road to Emmaus were approaching the village and Jesus acted as though He would go further, but they urged him to "Stay with us." And he stayed with them, and they found out who he was when he broke the bread and blessed it. If they had not asked him to stay, both the Samaritans and the disciples at Emmaus would have missed the fellowship of the Savior.
In two chapters, John has given us the total scheme of redemption. "To Nicodemus Jesus had said he was the fulfiller of the entire Old Testament redemptive sacrificial system… To this woman in Sychar he said that he was the promised and expected messiah who was to come. Put the two together and we have the total scheme of salvation revealed---Jesus of Nazareth was God's son, who was to die upon a cross to redeem mankind." (Class notes, W.N. King, Gospel of John.)
Emanuel, Emanuel, His name shall be Emanuel. God with us revealed in love. His name is called Emanuel.
John Ross
Houston, Texas, USA
Father,
I thank You that You have come to us. We would not have found our way had You not come. You revealed to us that You know all about us without prejudice and yet You love us completely.
May we remember the enthusiasm we had to tell others about You when we first realized who You are. We ask You to stay with us so we can share Your communion with others. May it all be to Your glory.
Amen
[Psalms 148, 149, 150] [Isa. 43:14 - 44:5] [Heb. 6:17 - 7:10]
[John 4:27-42]
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