Lent 3A - First Thoughts

Lent 3A

Exodus 17:1-7
Psalm 95
Romans 5:1-11
John 4:5-42

My goal each week is to provide use this first entry to provide my first thoughts before reading other commentaries, blogs, or resources. These raw thoughts are simply presented as a picture of my reflections the first time I read the text.

Exodus 17:1-7
The Old Testament lesson is the account of Moses striking the rock (the first time) in order to provide water for the Israelites. This lesson demonstrates the importance of fresh, bubbling water as the source of life. In That the World May Know (Ray VanderLaan), I was challenged to consider my image of this encounter. Is Moses striking a 10-foot tall boulder and a trickle bursts forth? Or, is he striking the side of a cliff, creating an En Gedi like waterfall?

If one is to envision a massive waterfall breaking forth out of a cliff, we get a picture of abundant living water, not just for the Israelites, but perhaps the source of an oasis that would provide life in the wilderness for centuries to come. There is an abundance of living water for all people, not just those who are part of the Chosen People of God.

Psalm 95
Psalm 95 was very likely chosen for this Sunday because it reminds us of the Israelites at Meribah. Though they had seen God's hand at work in mighty ways in Egypt and in the wilderness, they still hardened their hearts and failed to enter the Promised Land.

While the first half of the Psalm makes for a great call to worship, the second half cautions us that worship is not just about singing praises to God, but also about hearing His voice. We have not just done our duty if we have sung our songs and given our gifts. We must also soften our hearts, hear His voice, and allow Him to transform us.

Worship is transformational. When it is not, we fall into the danger of being like the Israelites, who saw great signs and wonders, but failed to allow the experience to transform their hearts. They drank of the physical waters from the rock, but did not absorb the Spiritual Living Water which was presented.

Romans 5:1-11
The Romans text provides a great Lenten reminder for the role of suffering in the life of the Christian. The last two Sundays, we have sung Graham Kendrick's song Knowing You, which is based on Philippians 3:7-11. Through suffering, we have a way to better know Christ's suffering. By being made like Him through suffering, we may also be made like Him in His resurrection. (This is not to say that we ought to engage in self-abusive practices, but that we are to deny ourselves and take up our cross.)

At the same time, it's important to note that this passage does not teach that we must suffer in order to have salvation. Christ died for the unrighteous, in order that they might be reconciled to God. This passage is a clear presentation of the Gospel teaching of the Early Church--we are reconciled to God through the death of Christ, saved by His life.

John 4:5-42
Within the context of the water-from-the-rock narrative in Exodus, we are reminded that Christ provides living-water-from-the-Solid-Rock. The call is to leave the old and come to the new.

Jesus breaks all sorts of barriers here, by speaking to a Samaritan woman who is apparently an outcast from even her own people (since she comes to the well at the heat of the day.) Like the dialogue with Nicodemus, this is a personal encounter with Jesus, without the distractions of crowds of people looking for miracles (although, those pesky disciples do show up before the encounter is complete!). In the case of Nicodemus, it appears as though he sought out Jesus during a private time, in this narrative it is Jesus who seems to do the seeking.

In both this and the Nicodemus narratives, we have a theological discourse. While Nicodemus was a learned man used to theological dialogues, it is unlikely that the Samaritan woman was quite so prepared. However, Jesus brings the conversation to her, showing us that all people are capable of learning about God, regardless of gender, race, upbringing, social status, or even education.

As I weave these lessons together, I will likely look closely at the theme of Abundant Living Water for all people. At the same time, our challenge is to not simply drink the water, but to allow it to transform us. We must be like the Samaritan woman, changed by our drink at the Springs of Living Water, as opposed to the Israelites who continued as they were before the waters of Meribah.

Grace and Peace,

PastorJon