People Need the Lord

It was the sixth hour, which means it was noon when Jesus arrived in Sychar, a town in Samaria. The hottest part of the day. Which means Jesus was not only tired and thirsty from a long journey, He was hot. He sat down next to Jacob’s well and didn’t have to wait long. “A woman of Samaria came to draw water.” Now this was unusual. The women in those days were the ones who went to draw water, but never at noon. They would go early in the morning or after the sun went down in the evening, during the cool of the day. They had to draw enough water for the day, enough for drinking, bathing, and cleaning utensils and clothes. It was a big job and the stifling heat at noon would make it much harder. No one went at noon, unless she didn’t want to be seen. Unless she didn’t want to have to face another woman from town. The fact that this woman came at noon tells us that she was an outsider. She came when no one else was there because of her social status.  We find out in the story why she would have been shunned by the other women, and she wore that reality every day. The heat certainly made the job more physically demanding. But coming to the well at noon was easier, emotionally. She had done it day after day, but this day would be different. Jesus met here there and her life was radically changed. I love how Jesus goes looking for people who are hiding in plain sight. He found Zacchaeus, that wee little man who never dreamed a Rabbi of Israel would want to spend time with him. He found the man at the pool of Bethesda, who never imagined he could walk again. He found you and me.   
 
We know that Jesus was alone; the disciples had gone into town to buy food. When Jesus saw the woman approaching, he said to her, “Give me a drink.” She knew immediately that he was a Jew. Probably His Galilean accent gave Him away. And the way he was dressed, in clothes a Jewish man would wear. So, she was surprised. Why would this man ask her for water? There were three reasons why in that time and place. First, she was a Samaritan and Jews would never share a cup with a Samaritan. They were considered unclean. Second, she was a woman. In an honor-based culture, a Jewish man, especially a Rabbi, would never initiate a conversation with a woman he didn’t know, especially not a Samaritan woman. Third, she was a sinner and the heat and isolation at noon reminded her of it every day. A man of higher status would not look at her twice, much less ask her for help. But those reasons were no match for Jesus’ love and grace. He had to go to Samaria because Jesus had a divine appointment that had been on His calendar since before this woman was born. 
 
It wouldn’t be the last time Jesus crossed any barrier He needed to cross for the sake of a soul. People everywhere need Jesus, for He alone can give forgiveness and a new life. You see it again in John’s gospel with the woman caught in the act of adultery. Jesus met her where she was but didn’t leave her as she was. You see it in Luke’s gospel with the woman at Simon the Pharisee’s house. She was a sinner, we are told, but when she heard Jesus would be eating with Simon, she came and anointed Jesus’ head and feet with alabaster ointment and with her tears. Simon thought to himself that if Jesus were a prophet, he would know who this woman was! Jesus did indeed know who she was. He also knew who Simon was. This was another divine appointment on Jesus’ schedule, but not just for the woman covered in shame. He also taught Simon about the difference between people who think they have no need for forgiveness and those who are desperate for it. 
 
Jesus is still at it today. He came to seek and to save the lost, and that search continues.