For centuries there has been a culture of hate between Samaritans and Jews.  Jews deemed the Samaritans “unclean” while Samaritans spit upon proud Jews who judged the validity of the “chosen of God” by keeping their genealogies pure.  The Samaritans were a mixed race, part Jew and part Gentile, that grew out of the Assyrian captivity of the ten northern tribes in 727 B.C. Rejected by the Jews because they could not prove their genealogy, the Samaritans established their own temple and religious services on Mount Gerizim.

Then God sent Jesus to Samaria.  Jesus changes everything, going “rogue” in tradition, doing things no one does, to save the lost of the world while demonstrating the love of God. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:16-17.

In that day, it was not considered proper for any man, especially a rabbi, to speak in public to a strange woman (back up and read verse 27). But Jesus set aside the less important social customs for the most important because a soul’s eternal salvation was at stake.  Now, by her witness, Jesus is invited along with his confused disciples to hang out with Samaritans. 

Yes, when Jesus comes into our hearts and welcomed to hang out in our lives—Everything changes. 

John 4, The Message

It’s Harvest Time

³¹ In the meantime, the disciples pressed him, “Rabbi, eat. Aren’t you going to eat?”

³² He told them, “I have food to eat you know nothing about.”

³³ The disciples were puzzled. “Who could have brought him food?”

^34-35 Jesus said, “The food that keeps me going is that I do the will of the One who sent me, finishing the work he started. As you look around right now, wouldn’t you say that in about four months it will be time to harvest? Well, I’m telling you to open your eyes and take a good look at what’s right in front of you. These Samaritan fields are ripe. It’s harvest time!

^36-38 “The Harvester isn’t waiting. He’s taking his pay, gathering in this grain that’s ripe for eternal life. Now the Sower is arm in arm with the Harvester, triumphant. That’s the truth of the saying, ‘This one sows, that one harvests.’ I sent you to harvest a field you never worked. Without lifting a finger, you have walked in on a field worked long and hard by others.”

^39-42 Many of the Samaritans from that village committed themselves to him because of the woman’s witness: “He knew all about the things I did. He knows me inside and out!” They asked him to stay on, so Jesus stayed two days. A lot more people entrusted their lives to him when they heard what he had to say. They said to the woman, “We’re no longer taking this on your say-so. We’ve heard it for ourselves and know it for sure. He’s the Savior of the world!”

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

Because of one woman loved, forgiven and transformed by the One and Only, many lives committed their lives to Jesus.  It seems the more we realize the depth of love Jesus has for us—we must tell someone—anyone!  The more we realize the incredible, undeniable complete transaction of redemption, secured, as a binding contract, sealed by the blood of Jesus, we must tell everyone!

Not a burden but a blessed opportunity!  Jesus did not look on the Father’s will as a heavy burden or a distasteful task. He viewed His work as the very nourishment of His soul. Doing the Father’s will fed Him and satisfied Him inwardly. “I delight to do Your will, O my God, and Your law is within my heart” (Psalm 40:8). Because of the attitude and heart of Jesus, the Samaritan woman was now doing the Father’s will and finding excitement and enrichment in it, too!  Jesus changes everything.

Prayerfully pause and ask—

Do I really believe that what Jesus did for me is really real?

Life transformation begins with believing in Jesus.  Excitement and joy builds as we discover new ways of Kingdom of God thinking which births new behaviors as we learn to lean into the wisdom of His Holy Spirit now living in us. 

Our trust in the Life-Changer builds or collapses with each challenge the enemy presents or when unexpected circumstances arise based on who we believe.  Who do we believe?  Life is a continual test of trust. But when the power that raised Jesus from death to life is realized, relied on, and released—our test becomes a testament of our faith in Jesus!

We quickly discover we cannot do life without Jesus’ help.  We cannot transform our lives without His Holy Spirit sent from God to help us. We can profess to know Him and our desire to follow Him all day long; but it is our transformed behaviors that will prove the true measure of our faith.

Who we talk about most is who we love most.  What occupies our minds reflects what we treasure most and are storing in our hearts.  “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” –Jesus, Matthew 6:20

The woman met Jesus who changed everything about her.  She no longer worried about her reputation and avoidance of people who despised her for who she was because now she is different—made new!  She has a new way of thinking.  Jesus showed her a love and compassion she had been looking for in all the wrong places her entire life.  This woman is a life that was changed by the grace of God who would affect an entire village!  “Come and see!”  “He knew all about the things I did. He knows me inside and out!”  I think He is the Messiah! 

The people of Samaria were changed: “We’ve heard it for ourselves and know it for sure. He’s the Savior of the world!”

Yes, the souls of all the people of the world who God created and loves are ripe for harvest.  God prepares harvest.  Jesus provides salvation.  The Holy Spirit guides us to reap what we did not sow—souls in need of a Savior!  If we remember, God sent someone lead us and point us to Christ—now we do the same!

We might be asked to go and hang out with those we never thought of before knowing Jesus.  Go with it, I have learned that God’s surprises are always worth the risk.  All people have one thing in common—we are all in need of a Savior and He is Jesus. 

Jesus indeed changes everything.  His relentless, unchanging love brings us together as one as we give our lives as an offering back to Him in gratitude for giving us Life.  (See Romans 12:1-2)

Lord,

It occurs to me that the people of Samaria must have been a joy for you to hang out with as a respite from the harassment of the Jewish leaders for a while.  And what a joy for them to hear and believe in Someone they never thought they would until they came to know You!  You went where you were led and did what you were sent to do.  What a demonstration of your love for all people!

Thank you for this lesson of sowing and reaping in unexpected places.  Open our eyes to see who you see with hearts open to your will and leading.

In Jesus Name, Amen