It's NOT a Dream

Sermon John 11 March 29, 2020 5^th Sunday in Lent. Covid19 Livestream worship.

It's NOT a Dream

When bad things happen we sometimes deal with it by asking someone to pinch us. We look to them and ask them. “Was that a dream; did this really happen?”

When we feel the pinch which can really hurt-we realize it was NOT a dream!

Martha and Mary are living their worst nightmare.

Their precious brother Lazarus is ill to the point of death. They do what anyone would do and they call on their best friend to come and help them to save their brother.

What do we do when we are faced with a tragedy, a trauma; we call out to our dearest ones. We call to them to come back to us and help us. We want them to help us through our fear and to solve and fix our problems for us. 

We trust them with our life and we have some pretty high expectations of them. 

Most of the time we get pretty mad at the people we have preset assumptions of what they can and should do for us.

Especially when we are in a crisis.

And when we are suffering from grief.

To make this story even more interesting is that we too get mad at Jesus as we read how stalls showing up for his friends.

It’s not that he is showing up for some acquaintances-no! These are his best friends ever! When Jesus heard the news he should have dropped everything and gone running to be the hero and save the day.

So, along with Martha we’re really upset with Jesus!

We ask him too, “Where were you?! You could have done something to fix this, to save Lazarus.”

I imagine many people have been in Martha’s shoes this week.

And Mary’s too.

“Where were you Jesus when this virus took over the world?”

“Why didn’t you stop it yet?”

“How could you have hung out in other places and not put us on the top of your list of favorite people to come running to?”

We can be encouraged to know that Martha and Mary are not afraid of Jesus to let him have it.

They are not afraid to let him know the truth of how they feel.

They are not afraid to let him know what they expected of him and how disappointed they are in him for not coming to save their brother.

Perhaps, we too need the assurance that we can let Jesus have it

and let him know our feelings of disappointment and anger too.

These three were Jesus closest friends ever.

Jesus doesn’t react to their feelings. He doesn’t scold them. Jesus just loves them.

He recognizes in them the power of their faith.

Lament and expression of frustration and grief is as much a part of faith as any other expression.

Our feelings of grief and pain, hurt and sorrow are holy.

They are not unbelief but the truth of the power of faith.

Why?

Because when we believe God could have done something, we believe in the power of God of death and life.

And that’s when Jesus lets us know who he is in the heart of our faith.

He IS the resurrection and the life!

Jesus asks the women if they believe and they let him know-yes!

But, then Jesus heads to the tomb and asks the stone to be rolled away and the reality of the death within the tomb hits hard.

It hits home.

And they yell, “no don’t do it! He stinks!

It’s been four days!”

Don’t open the tomb.

Don’t open the reality of death. Don’t open the truth.

From the confession of faith in Jesus to the stark reality of the un-denying dead as a doornail Lazarus-the women are no longer dreaming!

We too have hit the hard reality of the death in the tomb.

And it stinks!

We are stuck in a pandemic and it stinks.

It really, really smells.

And it is NOT a dream!

It has hit home to us.

We have someone we know who has been infected by this virus. We have someone we know who has lost a loved to this virus. We have someone we know who has had negligent medical care because the focus has only been on this virus. And beyond that our daily life is totally turned upside down.

Hopes and dreams of retirement are now in limbo. Our young people are without career opportunities as all job interviews are on hold. Graduations, weddings, birthdays, funerals all are cancelled until further notice. Parents are scrambling to figure out how to work and teach. Teachers are scrambling to figure out how to teach without touch, toys, or tutors. Yes. We are all together standing at the tomb with Martha and telling Jesus don’t roll away the stone of the reality of how all of this really, really, stinks!

We are fearful the truth will escape in a wretched odor.

The power for us as individuals and as the church, as the community of faith and community of people everywhere, is that Jesus IS the resurrection and the Life!

He is the truth of who he has claimed and God has anointed from the beginning.

When Jesus says even though they die, they live-that’s exactly what we believe!

We say it in all our confessions.

All who live will never die.

Death is but a transition from this life to the next without any interruption of life with Christ.

The future hope is in today!

Abundance of life is now in any circumstance.

There is no fear about rolling away the stone of reality.

God is with us.

God is calling the stone to be rolled away and for new life to emerge!

God loves the world so much he has given the world Jesus for salvation.

Life is promised from the first breath of faith and the fullness of God is there, present never leaving us.

Abundance of God’s presence is what the gospel of John promises.

Over the top wonder of God working new life in those who seek him.

So when Jesus calls Lazarus to come out,

he is calling all new life to emerge.

New beginnings will emerge from the death of reality.

As we face our fears and do not let them keep us apart from God or from one another, we discover the power of God to work the abundance of opportunity in us.

Hold on to hope!

It is true that this is NOT a dream.

But, we can trust that Jesus is there calling us

to come back to him with all our heart.

Jesus is waiting for us to allow new life to emerge from the tomb.

Jesus is waiting and longing for us to come to him.

To believe in him.

To say yes when he asks us if we believe.

Friends, it’s NOT a dream.

Jesus is here right now, fully present,

all powerful,

filling us with the breath of life.

Believe his love for you today.

Amen.

Resources: NIB Gospel John Gail O'Day; Encounters with Jesus by Francis Taylor Gench,

Bulletin March 29, 2020 5th Sunday in Lent Revised for COVID19 suspension of in-person worship

Bulletin for Revised for COVID19 suspension of in-person worship

March 29, 2020 NMPC & FMPC 5^th Sunday in Lent  Worship via Facebook Live

Prelude

We gather in God’s name! Keep pressing on toward the goal: the heavenly call of God in Jesus Christ!

Welcome to the broadcast of worship for Naomi Makemie and Francis Makemie Presbyterian Churches located in Onancock and Accomac Virgnia. I’m Monica Gould pastor here to serve the Lord and you, God’s people. Let’s open our hearts, and let us worship God!

Choral Opening   Wisdom of God

Call to worship  

Leader: We look to a TV. We look to a phone. We look to equipment we never thought would bring us an opportunity of worship and praise. And yet, here we are today once again, and for weeks to come, discovering the power of God’s presence beyond the walls of this sanctuary. A sanctuary is there in your living room. A sanctuary is there in your kitchen. As we gather without seeing you, we love you. Without touching you, we embrace. Without knowing what lies ahead, we believe. Let us pray;

Opening Prayer

Lord, we are fully in your presence. We believe the truth. Yes, even though we are not together, the power of your Spirit unites us across every hill, and every valley, every river and every ocean of the world. We trust your promise that as we worship you today we are all connected. We are here with you in this powerful place of worship. Thanks be to God for the wonder of the Word, the joy of music and the miracle of presence. We offer to you our worship now and forever. Amen!

Opening Hymn #2206 Without Seeing You v.1,3,4

Young disciples

Call to confession

Another week of life only connected by computer screens. God hears our cries of frustration. God knows our troubled thoughts. God sees our broken hearts. God recognizes our emptiness. We are not alone. God is here. God is with us Let us confess our sufferings, our losses, our pain, and our sins. Join me, as we pray together, saying,

Prayer of confession

Lord, we come to you today with our aching hearts and bodies. We have run a marathon. And looking forward all we see are hurdles and more miles than we have ever run in our life. How long O Lord, how Long?  How many more meetings by computer? How many more phone calls until we are face to face? We don’t understand being apart. We don’t understand the pain we have when the ones we love so much are gone. How can you show us your love when we cannot see you? It makes us not believe. Yet, you come to us with a strong voice. You call the stones of despair to roll away. You open up our dying faith and bring us back to life. Help us to believe. Forgive our unbelief. Remind us again and again of the joy of life with you. In Jesus name. Amen.

Words of Assurance

Jesus did a remarkable thing. He raised Lazarus from the dead. He gave him life. And all around believed. There is abundance in Christ. There is enough love and life for all.  Friends, believe the good news of the gospel, in Jesus Christ we are forgiven. Amen!

Gloria Patri Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be; world without end, amen. Amen.

Affirmation of Faith  Apostle’s Creed

I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ his only son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost, the holy catholic church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.

Readings: Psalm 130 Cantor & Choir

John 11

Sermon: Its Not a Dream

Choral Anthem               Hosea

Announcements We thank you for worshiping with us. We appreciate your support. Please send offerings to us in the mail. For Naomi Makemie P.O. Box 397 23417 For Francis Makemie P.O. Box 680 Accomac 23301

Call to Prayer  #535RH   Hear Our Prayer O God

Prayer of the People & the Lord’s Prayer Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen

Closing Hymn  #338 RH  He Leadeth Me: O Blessed Thought

Benediction

May the God of hope fill you with all joy in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit and the blessing of God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit remain with you always. Amen.

Prayers and confessions written by Monica Gould

What We Believe is True- or the Blame Game Lent 4 in the midst of COVID19

Sermon John 9:1-41 March 22, 2020 Lent 4 in the midst of COVID19

What We Believe is True- or the Blame Game

This has been another really hard week.

It’s been another week in which everyday showed an increase in positive COVID19 test results and an increase in restrictions.

It has been a week of watching the news minute by minute and turning it off because it was too much to watch.

It has been a week of listening to friends and family talk about losing their jobs, having to work from home, having to leave college, having to miss favorite sports, having to only see friends through facetime, having to be hunkered down for a month.

States of emergency are everywhere.

None of it makes sense.

And in the confusion of trying to understand the uncertainty human nature resorts to the blame game. And in the confusion of uncertainty human nature resorts to gossip born out of worry and fear.

That’s where we find the disciples as they travel with Jesus.

They are worried.

They are confused.

They are filled with fear.

Everything that Jesus has been teaching them seems to create uncertainty and confusion. And confrontation with authorities too.

What is Jesus trying to teach them?

They believe the miracles he’s been doing.

It’s been some really cool stuff. He healed all kinds of people. He’s fed a lot of people with just a little bit of bread. He brought a child back to life. He turned water into wine. They really liked it when he did that. It would be great if he could do that in very town they visit.

They want to know what to believe about him.

They want to know what is true.

They want some certainty in their lives.

Don’t we all.

We too want to know what is true. We too want some certainty in our lives. We too want Jesus to clarify what we are to believe. Are the miracles Jesus does the reason for Jesus being there? Or is there something else? Why do bad things happen? Why can’t health and happiness and wealth be there for everyone? Why do people get sick and die? What is sin anyway?

We ask these question as if our debate over them will bring us the answers that will satisfy our hungry hearts and open our eyes to God. We assume there is a moral solution to everything.

This blind man becomes an object lesson he never intended.

The saddest thing about his story is not his blindness, but the fact that no one noticed he even existed.

No one knew his name.

He was an anonymous beggar on the side of the road that people didn’t want to know.

If they recognized him they would recognize their own poverty of compassion. They would have to acknowledge their own inability to help the poor, the disenfranchised, the one’s not welcome in the community or even the house of worship.

And when Jesus healed him he was cast out from his family, his house of worship, his community.

He had an experience with Jesus that no one wanted to believe.

He had an act of grace happen that could not be explained and rather than acknowledge it he was thrown out.

No one knew who he was before and no one wanted to know him now.

Perhaps that’s what’s hardest for us as we all sit at home and struggle against this unseen enemy.

We want to know who or what it is to blame.

If we can identify it then we can fix it.

That’s what our rationalizing humanness tries to do.

This blind man who has encountered Jesus and now has vision is our hero! He helps us as believers! He helps us as the church! He helps us as a community!

 

My Hero-truth teller-lover of Jesus

He doesn’t debate anything.

He just tells it like it is.

He tells the truth of what happened to him-straight up straight talk.

He tells the world what Jesus did to his eyes.

No one wants to believe him.

Three times he tells his story and each time he tells it the confrontation escalates.

He is still not afraid.

He is still not worried.

He is not confused.

He is absolutely certain of his experience with Jesus and what happened that

no amount of threatening of the world around him will change it.

The stronger the forces against him the stronger he tells his story and the stronger his belief becomes.

We the community, the church, believers, are face to face with a struggle. We are unable to be the church in the way we are familiar.

We are unable to be the church with touching hands. We may feel we are disenfranchised. We may feel we are unnoticed. We may feel are cut off from everyone. But, the truth is here. The truth is revealed in the telling.

The blind man tells the wonder and the joy of his experience over and over again. And each time he tells it his faith becomes a reality.

Isn’t that how our own relationship experiences grow?

We tell the story of our experience with a moment of wonder, a moment of compassion, a moment of generosity, a moment of grace. And the more we share it, the more we notice how our faith grows.

People don’t want us to believe there is compassion and grace in this world.

And yet, there on the side of the road with a flat tire someone comes to our aid and helps us. We lose our job and we are surrounded by people offering us places to apply for a new one. We have no place to live and we have people taking us to housing agencies to find a place. We have no food and meals show up on our doorstep. We discover the gift of love. We discover the unseen grace in the world.

We discover this unseen grace defeats an unseen enemy.

Each time we recognize an act of love, our eyes open to a God of love.

We do not have to be afraid to tell the truth of our experience.

Jesus touched us and we have been changed forever.

Francis Taylor Gench, Gayle O’Day, Neibhur, Calvin, all share how this story shows up to strengthen the church during difficult times.

This story is here to let us know today that if we tell our story over and over again, it will be heard.

And our faith will strengthen.

We will have a stronger and stronger resolve the more we talk about our experience with Jesus. The more we reveal the truth of love and compassion in our lives the more we will believe it ourselves. The more we believe it the more we will be able to share it. And that friends is the church.

We need heroes in times like these.

And in times like these, we the body of Christ,

discover that we are the blind man, healed and made whole and able to tell our story.

We, you, me, are the heroes the world needs.

We can share our stories from our couches.

We can share our stories from our homes.

We can be strong in what we believe.

We can be encouraged by the truth of Jesus in our life the more we share.

We will grow in our faith.

We will grow in our church.

As we look to the life of the blind man, our resolve is that he told the truth of what he believed no matter what struggles he faced.

There is no blaming in this life.

There is no need for gossip.

There are no moral dilemmas to be resolved.

There is only the truth of love, compassion, and grace.

We are the church.

We are stronger than ever.

We may not be the church the way we remember.

We may be confused, worried, conflicted by the world around us and by all that is happening.

Yet, we have the light within us to guide us and show us the way.

We have a story to tell.

No matter how hard the weeks ahead become.

No matter how challenging each day will be.

No amount of separation,

or isolation,

or lockdown can darken the light of the Word.

You are not alone!

We are not alone!

We are the body of Christ and we will keep the vision of love alive!

Friends believe the good news!

What we believe is true now and forever. Amen!

Resources: Encounters with Jesus by Frances Taylor Gench. The Meaning of Revelation by HR Neibhur. 

Bulletin Revised for COVID19 suspension of in-person worship March 22, 2020 NMPC & FMPC 4th Sunday in Lent

Bulletin for Revised for COVID19 suspension of in-person worship

March 22, 2020 NMPC & FMPC 4^th Sunday in Lent  Worship via Facebook Live

Prelude

Welcome to the broadcast of worship for Naomi Makemie and Francis Makemie Presbyterian Churches

Choral Opening   Wisdom of God

Call to worship  

Leader: We are a people born out of darkness and brought into wonderful light. We are not present with one another, but we are present with the Lord our God. We will worship and we will praise God through this day and everyday. Let us pray;

Opening Prayer

Lord, we come into your presence again today from armchairs and couches, from computer screens and phones. You are calling us together from the four corners of the earth. There is no wall to hold you. There is no barrier to stop you. There you are Lord beside us to guide us. Among us to hold us. Within us to sustain us. We offer to you our worship now and forever. Amen!

Opening Hymn #2025 As the Deer

Painting by Marshall Ryon

Young disciples-Peek a Boo

Call to confession

Another week and we still see everything empty. We see our world shrinking around us. God sees our despair. God sees our tears. God sees our anxious hearts. God sees our wringing hands. We forget that God is in the troubled times as well as the times of plenty. God is here. God is with us Let us confess our sufferings, our losses, our pain, and our sins. Join me, as we pray together, saying,

Prayer of confession

Lord, we are all alone again this week. It’s harder now. We can’t see the end of this isolation. We can’t see our way through this pandemic. We are lost in our own despair. We have narrow vision. We are only looking out for ourselves and hoarding all the goods. Forgive our selfishness. Help us to see the needs of others. Take away our blindness. Take away our sins. Open our eyes! Let us see Jesus. Amen.

Words of Assurance

Jesus did a remarkable thing. He opened the eyes of a blind man. He gave him sight. And the Light of the world shone upon him. And the light of Christ shone from him and many believed. Friends, believe the good news of the gospel, in Jesus Christ we are forgiven. Amen!

Gloria Patri Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be; world without end, amen. Amen.

Affirmation of Faith  Apostle’s Creed

I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ his only son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost, the holy catholic church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.

Readings: Psalm 42:1-11; John 9 Dramatic Reading Jody, Rhudy, Ron

Sermon: What We Believe is True or the Blame Game

Choral Anthem               Make Me a Channel of Your Peace

Announcements We thank you for worshiping with us. We appreciate your support. Please send offerings to us in the mail. For Naomi Makemie P.O. Box 397 23417 For Francis Makemie P.O. Box 680 Accomac 23301

Call to Prayer  #535RH     Hear Our Prayer O God

Prayer of the People & the Lord’s Prayer Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen

Closing Hymn #339           Be Thou My Vision

Benediction

May the God of hope fill you with all joy in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit and the blessing of God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit remain with you always. Amen.

Prayers, and openings written by Monica Gould

Bulletin Revised for COVID19 suspension of in-person worship

Bulletin Revised for COVID19 suspension of in-person worship

March 15, 2020 NMPC 3^rd Sunday in Lent

Worship via Facebook Live

Prelude

Welcome

Choral Opening Be still, for the presence of the Lord, the Holy One, is here. Come bow before him now, with reverence and fear. In him no sin is found; we stand on holy ground. Be still for the presence of the Lord, the Holy One is here.

Be still for the power of the Lord is moving in this place. He comes to cleanse and heal, to minister his grace. No work to hard for him; in faith receive from him. Be still for the power of the Lord is moving in this place.

Call to worship

Leader: There is one body and one Spirit. We have been called to the one hope of our calling, the one Lord, one faith and one baptism, one God and father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in all. Let us worship God, Let us pray;

Opening Prayer

Lord we come to you today from a virtual space. Some are present from armchairs at home tuned in to a computer to worship with us in real time. Others, O Lord are resting, sleeping, keeping time in blessed slumber. Help us as we worship you today to be reminded of the life you have called us to lead. A life in which you have called us all together as the body of Christ. A life in which you insisted we live out with all humility, and gentleness, with patience, bearing one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bonds of peace. Yes, Lord we worship you now and forever. Gather us in in your name from all the ends of the earth. Amen!

Opening Hymn #2128 Come and Find a Quiet Center (Beach Spring tune)

Young disciples-Bottled water (John Stevens)

Call to confession

We comb the aisles of the grocery store and see everything empty. We get angry. We get worried. We curse. We get anxious. We forget that God is there on the empty shelves looking out at us. God is there. Let us confess our sufferings, our losses, our pain, and our sins. Join me, as we pray together, saying,

Prayer of confession

Lord, we feel so locked up. We feel we are stuck at the bottom of the well. We are angry at those who tell us what to do. We are frustrated at the selfishness around us. But, you come to us in our despair. You come to us. You come to us even though we are the stranger, the enemy, the lost, the unclean, the infected one. You are not afraid of us. You come and offer us clean and everlasting water to drink. You offer us grace that never runs dry. You heal us with your love. Help us to drink, to believe, to love in Jesus name. Amen.

Words of Assurance

Jesus did a remarkable thing. He spoke to an unspeakable woman. He offered her everlasting water. Never a thirsty day again. Let us receive the gift of living water. New life in Jesus. Friends, believe the good news of the gospel, in Jesus Christ we are forgiven. Amen!

Gloria Patri Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be; world without end, amen. Amen.

Affirmation of Faith  Apostle’s Creed pg14

I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ his only son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost, the holy catholic church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.

Readings: Psalm 95:1-7; John 4:7-15 & 39-42

Sermon: The Gift of God-water that never runs out.

Special music Katie 😊

Announcements

Prayer of the People & the Lord’s Prayer Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen

Closing Hymn #399 We Walk by Faith and Not by Sight

Benediction

May the God of hope fill you with all joy in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit and the blessing of God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit remain with you always. Amen.

The Gift of God-water that never runs out.

Sermon John 4: 5-42. March 15, 2020 Lent 3 A Verses read John 4: 7-12 & 39-42 COVID19

The Gift of God-water that never runs out.

This week has been at most the craziest week I’ve ever experienced.

At least, it’s been an ever changing, ever wondering, ever confusing set of days.

Every time I sat down to write this sermon, the world was turning upside down hour by hour.

I wonder if that’s how the disciples felt when they traveled with Jesus. Their lives were changing from day to day and sometimes hour by hour.

Jesus entered the land of Samaria with them.

According to custom they were not to travel into enemy territory. Samaria was off limits to Jews. But, Jesus didn’t seem to obey travel bans or laws. Samaritans were considered dirty people. They were unclean. They were heretics. They were everything bad to all that was good. Yet, Jesus crossed the boundaries and showed up in their land in the middle of their town at high noon.

 

Artisan wells, Morocco

The disciples went off to buy some food. And while they were gone Jesus struck up a conversation with a woman at the well.

In the book by Francis Taylor Gench, Encounters with Jesus, she points out that this is the longest recorded conversation that Jesus has with anyone. Not only did he talk with this woman but she was in deep dialogue with him. She drew him out with theological questions and wanted to know more. She stood boldly and held her own with Jesus. Jesus responded that there is no one place to worship. Worship is more than a location.

Whenever I think of this story and many of the encounters Jesus had in the gospel of John, I think of the quote by Edwin Markham — 'He drew a circle that shut me out-Heretic, rebel, a thing to flout. But love and I had the wit to win: We drew a circle and took him In!'

Jesus was incapable of shutting anyone out of the circle of life. All of his encounters were to draw people into the circle of the love of God.

This story is all about crossing, defying, breaking down barriers in a world where there were obstacles at every turn.

There in the middle of day,

in the heat of the day,

in the bright light of the day,

Jesus and a woman were talking!

The truth of who Jesus was revealed in the full light for all to see.

Unlike Nicodemus who came to Jesus in the night. Jesus came to a woman in full light. Jesus asked for a drink and the woman knew she should not speak to a man and especially not to anyone who was not a Samaritan.

Jesus was the one to break the barrier first.

He was the one to cross the line to ask for something.

We discover in Jesus’ action that God is the one who initiates relationships. God is the one who draws us to himself.

God is the one who reaches out over and over again.

We need not be surprised that Jesus went purposely where he was not to go in order to reconcile the world to his love.

How would we respond to Jesus if he were to come to our house and ask for a drink of water? Would we initially treat him as this woman did and tell him no? would we send him away thirsty? Would we deny him of the very things he needed to survive? Would we be selfish and hoard the water in the well for our own people? Would we tell him that if we gave him a drink the well would run dry?

In times of trouble such as these how have we been denying others the right to survive? How have we hoarded items for living, denying others what they need too? How have we sent them away?

Jesus offers this bold and amazing woman water that will never run dry.

He told her she’ll never be thirsty again.

She accepted his offer!

She wanted this abundance of life.

She had no idea what it was, but she accepted the offer of Jesus.

Her faith was brought out in the light.

Her ability to see Jesus, to receive him, to realize his truth, gave her enough faith to run and tell her village.

Isn’t that what we need to hear today?

Our lives maybe turned upside down right now. Our lives may make us feel we are the unclean, or the foreigner because of our need to be apart from others. We might feel isolated and unwanted as the Samaritans felt. We might feel our faith isn’t relevant or accepted.

Yet, we know Jesus still crosses through barriers and breaks down walls and does it in broad daylight for all to witness the truth of who he is.

Jesus is the One who offers us an everlasting drink of fresh and wonderful water that gives us life.

Jesus is coming to us no matter where we live.

Jesus is coming to us no matter where we are boarded up.

Jesus is coming to us through our masks,

through our tents,

through our respirators.

                                        Jesus is there offering the drink we need. 

                                He is there offering us water which will give us life forever.

It’s been the craziest week ever.

Things have been changing hour by hour.

And perhaps they will continue to be.

But, this is only temporary.

Jesus offers us permanent joy in his love for us.

Let him come to you today.

Receive the gift of God-the water that will never run dry.

Now and forever.

Amen.

Resources: Encounters with Jesus, studies in the Gospel of John by Francis Taylor Gench