Day 83 – Joshua 16-18, Psalm 70, John 4
Genuine relationships involve open communication. Our relationship with God is no exception. Any concern or question we have, we can express to God in prayer. Yet today’s readings remind us that God often answers in unexpected ways.
In John 4, Jesus meets a woman with many questions: Why would he, a Jewish man, speak with her, a Samaritan woman? (Unacquainted men and woman didn’t just chat in those days, and everyone knew Jews and Samaritans disdained each other.) Did Jesus really think he was better than her ancestor Jacob? And why did Jews insist worship had to be in Jerusalem, anyway?
These inquiries were grounded in serious theological and cultural tensions. When the Israelites were exiled centuries before, some in Samaria remained in the land and intermarried with non-Jews. Samaritans worshiped, not in Jerusalem, but at Mt. Gerizim, the site they believed chosen by Yahweh for the temple. Sharp disagreements ensued.
Jesus listened attentively to the woman at the well. In characteristic fashion, however, he didn’t answer her directly. Instead of dwelling on disputes, Jesus talked about living water, the glorious gift God was offering her that very moment. He acknowledged her past pain and broken relationships. Finally he revealed his perspective: God is doing something new, something greater than these old conflicts. Jesus revealed himself to her as Messiah, and she came to believe in him – which was far more powerful than settling ancestral scores.
In Joshua 17 we hear more questions. Joseph’s descendants ask, “Why do we get only one portion of land when there are so many of us? It’s not equitable.” It was a serious concern. Joshua, the leader appointed by God, offered them the surrounding forests – but they didn’t want that area. The inhabitants there had iron chariots! Again, God had a different view. The tribes of Joseph would inhabit the forest even though it was challenging. “You can overcome the chariots,” Joshua responds, “since there are so many of you.”
God welcomes our questions. But Jesus’ perspective is far greater – and sometimes quite different – from ours. Today let us bring God our questions and listen for the glorious, unexpected answers.
The Rev. Susan Beebe
Priest Associate, St. Gregory's, Boca Raton
Genuine relationships involve open communication. Our relationship with God is no exception. Any concern or question we have, we can express to God in prayer. Yet today’s readings remind us that God often answers in unexpected ways.
In John 4, Jesus meets a woman with many questions: Why would he, a Jewish man, speak with her, a Samaritan woman? (Unacquainted men and woman didn’t just chat in those days, and everyone knew Jews and Samaritans disdained each other.) Did Jesus really think he was better than her ancestor Jacob? And why did Jews insist worship had to be in Jerusalem, anyway?
These inquiries were grounded in serious theological and cultural tensions. When the Israelites were exiled centuries before, some in Samaria remained in the land and intermarried with non-Jews. Samaritans worshiped, not in Jerusalem, but at Mt. Gerizim, the site they believed chosen by Yahweh for the temple. Sharp disagreements ensued.
Jesus listened attentively to the woman at the well. In characteristic fashion, however, he didn’t answer her directly. Instead of dwelling on disputes, Jesus talked about living water, the glorious gift God was offering her that very moment. He acknowledged her past pain and broken relationships. Finally he revealed his perspective: God is doing something new, something greater than these old conflicts. Jesus revealed himself to her as Messiah, and she came to believe in him – which was far more powerful than settling ancestral scores.
In Joshua 17 we hear more questions. Joseph’s descendants ask, “Why do we get only one portion of land when there are so many of us? It’s not equitable.” It was a serious concern. Joshua, the leader appointed by God, offered them the surrounding forests – but they didn’t want that area. The inhabitants there had iron chariots! Again, God had a different view. The tribes of Joseph would inhabit the forest even though it was challenging. “You can overcome the chariots,” Joshua responds, “since there are so many of you.”
God welcomes our questions. But Jesus’ perspective is far greater – and sometimes quite different – from ours. Today let us bring God our questions and listen for the glorious, unexpected answers.
The Rev. Susan Beebe
Priest Associate, St. Gregory's, Boca Raton
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