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Discussion Questions
- Rosenthal stated that “stupidity” was not grounds for resignation. Is
it? Should it be? Why or why not? Is it possible for a person to be
seemingly incompetent in his or her personal life but still capable and
competent in their job or career?
- Rosenthal also stated that his judgment had been impaired by certain
prescription drugs he was taking. What are the implications of having
someone with impaired judgment prosecute criminal cases in court?
- Do you think the public has the right to know what's passing through the
e-mail boxes of its elected officials? Do certain people have the right to
know what is in your e-mail, on your Face Page, or in your journal? Why
would you be concerned about others knowing about things that you consider
private or secret in your life?
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Scripture Texts (NRSV) for Sunday, February 24, 2008.
(Text links are to
oremus Bible
Browser. Oremus Bible Browser is not affiliated with or supported by the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. You can find the calendar of readings
for Year A at
Lectionary Readings.)
Exodus 17:1-7
Psalm 95 (1)
Romans 5:1-11
John 4:5-42
For lectionary humor and insight, check
the weekly comic
Agnus
Day.
Gospel Reflection
The section of this passage talked about most often is the part about
Living Water. “Whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him shall never
thirst.” It is, of course, a metaphor for salvation and eternal life. But in
discussing Living Water, there is another, somewhat unusual section of this
passage that tends to go overlooked.
“Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the
Christ?” This woman believes in Jesus because he told her about the things she
had done. But the things he tells her are not things to be proud of: her
multiple marriages and her current immorality. The shameful secrets of her life
are brought to light, but rather than turning away, she believes and rejoices
and spreads the good news to the entire city. And they believe, too, not because
of the promise of Living Water, but because of this testimony: “He told me
everything I ever did.”
What is the cause of this seemingly strange attitude? Well, these were
Samaritans. And Jesus was a Jew. The Samaritans were hated by the Jews, looked
down upon as inferior beings. The Jews wouldn't even talk to the Samaritans, as
the woman pointed out at the very beginning. But Jesus paid no attention to this
class distinction, even though he himself was a Jew. He talked to them the same
way he talked to the Pharisees and religious leaders. And, yes, this included
bringing their wrongdoings to light, as he often did with the Pharisees. But the
Pharisees refused to admit that they did anything wrong, whereas the Samaritans,
treated as inferior their entire lives, were very much aware of their own
unworthiness. Jesus told them everything they ever did, but he was still willing
to talk to them! And because of this, they saw something in Jesus' telling of
their wrongdoings that few of the self-righteous Pharisees ever did: a way out.
Jesus was not by any means condoning the woman's actions or telling her that
they were all right. She was a sinner, no doubt about it, but she recognized
that this was not the end of things. Jesus promised her Living Water—eternal
life. And she was thirsty. She knew her own unworthiness and was thirsty for the
new life that Jesus had to offer. Most of the Pharisees never got that far. They
had their own brand of “water,” which lay in extravagant gestures and carrying
out intricate rules that they themselves had invented. This water did not quench
their thirst, but merely masked it; hid their unworthiness from view. So when
Jesus told them everything they had ever done, they closed their ears and
refused to hear any more. They never got to the good part, the next step: the
spring of Living Water welling up into eternal life.
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Discussion Questions
- How would you react if you met someone who told you everything you'd
ever done, including things you might not be proud of and wished no one
would ever find out? What would it do to your life and relationships? (I’m
guessing you wouldn’t rejoice and tell your friends!)
- Why do you suppose the Pharisees were so opposed to having their own
problems and wrongdoings brought to light? Being as well-versed in Jewish
Scripture as they were, shouldn't they have been the first to recognize and
confess their sins?
- What are some of your own self-made “waters”? (The things you do to mask
your thirst for God’s forgiveness and love.) How can let go of these things
and receive and enjoy the true Living Water? What makes it tough to open up
and accept that God knows us so well, and yet still loves us?
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Activity Suggestions
Develop a skit or do role playing that explores how the woman at the well
told the townspeople about her experiences with Jesus, and their various
reactions to her. Have some portray those who believed and went to Jesus, and
those who did not. Explore the reasons or arguments for their belief or
disbelief.
Sing: “I've Got a River of Life” (Text and
music: L. Casebolt)
I've got a river of life,
flowing out of me,
Makes the lame to walk and the blind to see;
Opens prison doors, sets the captives free,
I've got a river of life, flowing out of me.
Spring up, O well, within my soul;
Spring up, O well, and make me whole;
Spring up, O well, and give to me
That life abundantly.
Closing Prayer
Lord Jesus, help me to be like the woman at the well, to know that I am
unworthy and to thirst for your Living Water. Let me not be ashamed, but instead
rejoice and tell everyone around me the good news of your Word that brings love,
forgiveness, and eternal life. Amen
Contributed by Steven Alloway
Granada Hills, CA
Permission
to reproduce for local use. Copyright © 2008 Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America. ELCA Youth
Ministry. 1-800-638-3522, ext. 2447. To offer your comments or responses to Faith Lens,
e-mail: rod.boriack@elca.org.
Program Resources
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