Study 23: December 4th - 10th 2006

Readings from the Gospel of John

Reading – John Chapter Ch 4:15 to 24.

“I see you are a prophet, sir”, the woman said. My Samaritan ancestors worshipped God on this mountain, but you Jews say that Jerusalem is the place we should worship God. Jesus said to her, “Believe me woman, the time will come when the people will not worship the Father either on this mountain or Jerusalem.____ But the time is coming and is already her, when by the power of God’s Spirit people will worship the Father as he really is, offering him the worship he really wants.. God is Spirit and only by the power of the Spirit can people worship him as he really is.”

A divided team in any sport will be weaker than a united one. Where teams members encourage, help and support each other, they produce an edge on a divided team that relies purely on individual talent. The same is true in business, in the church and in life. The bible gives the illustration of a three-pronged cord as one of great strength over a single cord. The strength of people being united and the weakness of being divided is obvious.

We live in such a divided world today, of segregated groups and interest groups, that we need to hear again the value of cooperation, listening to others and getting to know the community around us.

In the continuing dialogue between the Samaritan woman and Jesus from John Chapter 4, the topic comes up about the true place to worship God. This came about because in their previous united history, a division was caused by a conflict with King Solomon over harsh treatment of the northern tribes of Israel. You can read about this in 1 Kings Chapter 12. The result was a dividing of God’s people into the 10 Northern Tribes called Israel (later referred to as Samaritans) and Judah (later called Jews) in the South where Jerusalem was the capital. So they ended up worshipping God in different places, even though Jerusalem continued to be favoured in God’s plan and promise that came through David.

This division has lasted for 900 years when Jesus came and was so intense that they did not talk to each other. This is what makes our reading so interesting.
Whether a Samaritan or a Jew, worshipping God was at the heart of their life. The good news that Jesus brings is that as a result of him coming, the place of worship will lose its significance and in its place, the importance of worshipping God in the Spirit and truth.

What does this mean?
In the Old Testament the temple in Jerusalem was built for the Priests to offer sacrifices for their sins of the people. Since Jesus has come to be the sacrifice and the Priest on our behalf, Jesus will have fulfilled the purpose of the Temple. From Jesus on, the Temple and Priests along with much of the material assets it will no longer be needed.

Worship from Jesus onwards will involve the Spirit ( an emphasis on the inner person and the heart) and Truth, the message of God’s kingdom that Jesus came to bring.

Jesus will unite Jew and Samaritan again through his death and rising from the dead. The good news that Jesus brings will in fact break down all divisions of race as he will bring a message of new life to the world. In Acts Chapter 8 in the New Testament you can read how Jesus will include Samaritans in his church that up until this time only included Jews.
Jesus has the power and the truth to bring people together. He calls us to love our enemies.

Prayer.
Gracious God, Thank you that you can make friends out of people who are previously enemies. Help us to value others, and the truth that you give us. Amen.