When Jesus Broke the Rules

He left Judea and went away again into Galilee. And He had to pass through Samaria. So He came to a city of Samaria called Sychar, near the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph, and Jacob’s well was there. So Jesus, being wearied from His journey, was sitting thus by the well. It was about the sixth hour. John 4:3-8

Intro: When we went through Genesis, we were introduced to” type-scenes”

A storytelling formula used in shaping a specific sort of event that recurs in different stories
– the type-scene we explored was “boy meets girl at a well” – men who met their wives at a well
• John’s specific reference to “Jacob’s well” in this story reinforces the link with this type-scene (Gen. 29:1-20)
– what stands out in type-scenes are not the similarities with the prototype, but the deviations from it
• in the story in John 4, there are two significant deviations in the type-scene:
1.) Jesus asked for water, but deviated from the type-scene when he offered the woman a drink
2.) the strangest twist is that, far from finding his wife at a well, he met a woman who already had five husbands
○ the dialogue turns on this particular point – this is where it gets serious

The Samaritan woman is a mirror image of Nicodemus
– he was male (named) and a member of Israel’s religious establishment
– she was female (unnamed) and lived outside Israel; in fact, a despised Samaritan
(note that one of the most degrading things Jesus’ opponents could say to him was that he was “a Samaritan” and had a demon (Jn. 8:48)
• that Jesus spent time with this woman and offered her eternal life is a beautiful illustration of his defiance
○ he did not allow cultural or religious conventions stand in his way
○ he refused to love only those he was supposed to love

How the story unfolds

Unlike his meeting with Nicodemus, Jesus initiated conversation with the Samaritan woman
“Give Me a drink”
– surprised, but not flustered, she shot right back, “How is it that You, being a Jew, ask me for a drink . . .”

As if to say, “Where’s your racism now, when you’re thirsty and I have the jar? You wouldn’t even be talking with me if your friends were here”

– John’s footnote explains why she said this, “For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans”  (cf. v. 27)
• I think she enjoyed having the upper hand
• she was not afraid of Jesus – obviously, she knew how to handle men

In his response to her, Jesus said there were two things she did not know” Continue reading →

Jesus’ Easter Bible Study

And behold, two of them were going that very day to a village named Emmaus, which was about seven miles from Jerusalem. And they were talking with each other about all these things which had taken place. While they were talking and discussing, Jesus Himself approached and began traveling with them. But their eyes were prevented from recognizing Him. Luke 24:13-16 (please read the entire passage)

Intro: Four weeks ago, we set out to meet people who met Jesus

I took last week’s subjects out of sequence, because it was Palm Sunday
– since today is Easter, our two disciples are again out of sequence
(we’ll return to the proper order next week)

Luke identifies only one of these disciples by name
– the Bible tends to observe a literary strategy when it either names characters or leaves them anonymous
• had both disciples been named and were were familiar with the other one we might think:
“Oh of course, that’s just like Peter” — and not identify with that other person
– but not named, he represents an entire category; namely, all disciples
• Luke means for us to take this walk with Jesus
• in the person of the anonymous disciple, we can be there with them

The one biblical image that best represents what we are doing here in Reflexion is this scene
• Jesus is “traveling” with us, explaining the Scriptures
• we are making this spiritual journey together

What did Jesus do for them during this walk?

I want to label this session “therapeutic enlightenment” Continue reading →

Palm Sunday

On the next day the large crowd who had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, took the branches of the palm trees and went out to meet Him, and began to shout, “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel.
Now there were some Greeks among those who were going up to worship at the feast these then came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and began to ask him, saying, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.”
 John 12:12-13, 20-21

Intro: We have taken this episode out of order

We’ve been spending time with people who met Jesus
– but because today is “Palm Sunday,” we have jumped ahead today
– there’s one weakness in my choice of these Greek visitors as our next example of people who met Jesus
• we don’t know if they actually met him — John doesn’t make it clear
• we only know that they wanted to meet him and requested an audience

John begins this story the day before

One of those rare scenes – Jesus relaxing in the home of friends
– John draws a contrast between Judas and Mary
• one takes, the other gives; one loves, other betrays
○ Judas attached a monetary value to Mary’s devotion
○ Mary loved Jesus beyond all monetary calculation
• “Let her alone” – how beautifully Jesus defended and protected her
○ he accepted her act of love
– we also learn that a “large crowd” showed up (v. 9)
• they heard about Lazarus and wanted to see him

It turns out, crowd is important element in story Continue reading →

Questions, Questions!

Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews; this man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him Jesus answered and said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:1-3

Intro: First, we need to fix a problem

The entire process of becoming a Christian has been abbreviated to this shorthand phrase: born again
– in fact, for many Protestant believers it’s not enough to be a Christian
• they want to know if you are a “born-again Christian”
– Jesus did not use “born again” in this way
• He never preached to a crowd, “You must be born again”
• he said it to only one time to this one person
○ it is one of the many metaphors he used in reference to “heavenly things” (v. 12)
○ other metaphors in John: living water, bread of life, light of the world, good shepherd, true vine
– overuse of the term born again has worn out its meaning
• so we’re not shocked by it the way Nicodemus was when he heard Jesus say it

Two times in their brief conversation, Nicodemus began a question with “How?”
– three times Jesus began with an introductory affirmation, statement: “Truly, truly”
• John used a Hebrew word that he did not translate into Greek
(although our versions usually translate it into English)
• “Amen”: means true, reliable – repeating it adds force to the word

A nighttime interview

As a Pharisee, Nicodemus’ beliefs were well-formed and absolute
– he thought of himself as faithful to God — he was cautious and diligent
• the simplest explanation for him coming “by night” was to keep this visit a secret
– previously, Jesus had created a scene in temple – he was already a controversial figure
– Nicodemus was being careful, playing it safe
• it is characteristic of Jesus that he graciously accommodated Nicodemus Continue reading →

The Way to God? Come and See

Again the next day John was standing with two of his disciples, and he looked at Jesus as He walked, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. And Jesus turned and saw them following and said to them, “What do you seek?” They said to Him, “Rabbi (which translated means Teacher), where are You staying?” He said to them, “Come and see.” . . . John 1:35-39

Intro: Have you noticed, that when we’re here it is not difficult to think about God, to be aware of him and feel assured that he is at work in your life?

While we are here together around the Scriptures and in prayer, faith and hope come easily
– but during the week, those feelings fade
• it’s as if our hearts are heated on Sunday, but then cool off with our daily distractions
• Jesus described a faith that hears his word, but

. . . as they go on their way they are choked with worries and riches and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity (Lk. 8:14)

This is why having a friend filled with Jesus is so important
– we can then be re-energized mid-week
• the influence of the other believer’s life and conversation helps to refresh our faith

Today we meet the people who first met Jesus
– they found something about him, that made them immediately want to share him
• so each person we meet brought someone else to Jesus
– as we work our way through the passage, three times John places something in parentheses
• “which is translated” — John was writing for a Greek audience
• that’s the point he is making here
○ people who have met Jesus do what they can to make him accessible to others

John the Baptist introduced his disciples to Jesus

Throughout the passage, John highlights a theme of “sight”
– for example, John “looked at Jesus” and said, “Behold”
• people get to know Jesus by acting on the invitation to come and see Continue reading →