No live stream this week.

Exodus 17:1-7 & John 4:5-42
I referenced briefly the image of seeking water in the desert and finding it through Jesus and his
journey to Jerusalem and the cross. This Sunday is an opportunity to reflect more on the need for
water and how we quench our thirst for something life-giving and restoring in a time of turmoil and a
place where we may feel abandoned or forgotten.
As we reflect on water, I think it is important to first mention that as we entered Lent, we hear Jesus
reminding us that we are not to test God. And yet this week as we hear the people of Israel cry out
for water, to demand water and ask where is God as they face death through a lack of water in the
desert, Moses descries this as testing God.
But I find I need to ask whether this is in fact the people testing God. I see this certainly as a
demonstration of doubt. They are asking questions and demanding answers. And what is evident is
that God responds and answers. They are out of water, and they are demanding answers from the
man who they see as leading them into the desert. Yes in fact, God is the one who rescued them
from slavery and led them into the wilderness, but for the people of Israel in this moment and one
they see in front of them is Moses, and so he must face their questions.
Why are we here and how are we going to survive? Is this story about a test?
Are we to face the prospect of death from a lack of water without demanding answers?
We can’t live without water. Is faith about walking through these times without asking questions?
The people wonder whether God has abandoned them or forgotten them.
But of course, God is there. And of course, God hears our questions. God is always willing to enter
into questions and respond. A significant part of faith is acknowledging our doubts, asking our
questions. And the wilderness is an ideal place to ask them and seek answers and to be open to the
many ways God may offer answers.
I also find myself wondering if perhaps this story illustrates the tests placed before Moses?
That perhaps this moment is a reminder for him to be more mindful of the needs of those who are
following him in the wilderness. It’s a reminder for him to listen to their questions and to respect
their needs. To not expect them or to assume that those in his community are just like him and
respond to challenges just like him.
No matter how you chose to read this story though, God is clearly here with the people and the
water; and the promise of life is certainly present when you seek it out. Where the world around you
seems absolutely barren; devoid of life and the necessary element to provide life, it is still there for
you if you are open to seeing it.
This message is reinforced by the story we read in the Gospel of John today.
Jesus and his disciple approach a Samaritan town. They are in need of food and water. While the
disciples go in search of food, Jesus waits by a well. A Samaritan woman comes to that well and a
conversation ensues, including Jesus requesting water.
Now, there is lots of speculation about the background and the circumstances of this nameless
woman and her life. We could spend a great deal of time on that speculation. But this morning I
want to stick with this. She comes to the well alone. This is an indication that she is not welcome by
other women from her community; perhaps because of her status of multiple marriages. She is seen
as impure. This situation is held against her by the community. For all of that, she comes to the well
and Jesus engages her in conversation, and she has the courage and the strength to meet Jesus in
that moment. To ask her own questions about the differences in their faith traditions. And she comes
to recognize Jesus as the Messiah.
For Jesus to engage this woman in conversation is scandalous. She is an unaccompanied woman.
This is at the very least frowned upon. The fact that she is a Samaritan woman just makes this
situation worse. But Jesus is seeking water. He does not deny his need for that water to live, but he
also declares that he offers spiritual water; living water that is needed for a fully lived life. He offers
her that living water as well. That living water he provides is not just for his fellow Jews, but for
everyone; regardless of where they are, where they come from, or what mountain they see as
sacred.
I also find it significant that Jesus essentially commissions this woman – a woman seen as impure by
her community, who is isolated and shunned, to share the news of his coming. The task or honour of
announcing the coming of the Messiah to this community is given to this woman. And she takes it on
enthusiastically. And the people listen to her and welcome and invite Jesus to dine with them.
Jesus sees who she is and who she can be. He welcomes her as she is; speaks with her and shares
water with her. In the desert outside her community this woman finds the water she needs. Not just
the water to slake her thirst and cook her meals, life-giving water indeed, but the living water that
gives her purpose and hope for anew life.
She is challenged. She asks questions herself. She first looks upon this strange man with skepticism
but meets him with courage and intelligence and hears what he is truly saying in response. In doing
so, she finds deeper and more profound answers and her life is changed. She becomes a messenger
of good news for her whole community.
May we learn from her curiosity, her courage and enthusiasm to share the good news of God’s
presence in her and our lives. May we share as she shares and welcome as she welcomes. And may
we recognize that God comes to us in surprising ways, choosing us even when we may not see
ourselves as worthy and no one else sees us as being suitable.
May we have eyes to see and ears to hear. And may our hearts and minds be open to receive the
message that God is always with us. God hears us and answers us. May we find the way to
experience the ways God responds and nourishes us, provides us with living water and guides and
comforts us in times of trial and pain, in times of heartache and grief.
May we continue to recognize the angels who are sent to serve us in our wilderness time, and may
we answer when called to be God’s ambassadors of love and justice and comfort for those we
encounter in the wilderness.
And may we join our voices together to respond by saying. Thanks be to God. Amen
Rev. Warner Bloomfield