The woman took the hint and left. In her confusion she left her water pot. Back in the village she told the people,“Come see a man who knew all about the things I did, who knows me inside and out. Do you think this could be the Messiah?” http://read.ly/John4.28.MSG
Lately I haven't been able to get enough of this story. It's always been one of my favorites. The verse before, Jesus' disciples had come back and seen Jesus speaking to the woman and could not conceal their shock and horror. The people of Jesus were shocked and horrified that he would stoop to talk to HER. She's so different. She doesn't live an upright, righteous life as far as they can see. She probably dressed differently, too. And they were shocked and horrified and couldn't keep it from showing on their faces. So she took the hint, and left.
And when she left, she went back to her friends, telling them about the man she'd just met who could prophesy, and was offering her everlasting life. He said he was the Living Water. What did the disciples do when they realized they'd successfully run her off? Gloated? Mourned? Did they imagine they'd missed some opportunity? Did they learn anything? Were they rewarded?
1 comments:
I don't get that the disciples 'ran her off'. Maybe that is the interpretation from your translation?
Here is the KJV:
25The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things.
26Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he.
27And upon this came his disciples, and marvelled that he talked with the woman: yet no man said, What seekest thou? or, Why talkest thou with her?
28The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men,
29Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?
30Then they went out of the city, and came unto him.
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Jesus stayed with the Samaritans two days! and I am sure that the woman was thereafter treated with respect by the others of her town.
This story (John 4:5-42) gets told in many of the liturgical churches this coming Sunday (the third Sunday in Lent)at least every 3 years, and in the Roman Catholic church it will be read at the mass where those who will be coming into the church at Easter are present. The other readings selected to go with this Gospel are Exodus 17:3-7, Psalm 95, and Romans 5:1-2, 5-8. If you read these you can see the connectedness of scripture.
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