Life changing conversations

Have you ever tried to run away from something you don’t want to face? This weekend, we’ll hear the account of Jesus talking with a Samaritan woman who went to get water at the community well at an off time, not just to avoid the crowds, but probably to avoid the looks and the talk behind her back. That seems implied by the text when we learn that she had been married five times and was living with someone who was not her husband. What’s amazing about the account is that Jesus put Himself in a position where He could get into a life-changing conversation with her instead of avoiding her as “unclean.” That’s the wonder of the faith – that God would come to this earth not to condemn the world, but to save the world.

Saving the world does not mean accepting as inconsequential moral choices that go counter to God’s design. If that’s the case, Jesus would not have gotten into the discussion He did with the woman, let alone allowed Himself to be crucified as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. But as the saying goes, “God hates sin, but loves the sinner.” Thank God for that, since “sinner” defines all of us.

What we learn from Jesus’ conversation with the woman is the importance of talking to someone rather than at him or her, always wanting the person to grow in our Lord’s love. And sometimes, when we get into those conversations, we find that the Lord would actually use us to help someone see who He truly is.

So what is the Jesus you know like? Does He run away from people or run to them? Is He more interested in condemning or saving? Does He deal patiently or quickly write off?

Jesus, refuge of the weary, Blest Redeemer, whom we love, Fountain in life’s desert dreary, Savior from the world above: Often have Your eyes, offended, Gazed upon the sinner’s fall; Yet upon the cross extended, You have borne the pain of all. (Lutheran Service Book #423, v. 1)