This is the story of Jesus and the Samaritan woman. For us who have been around the church for awhile, it is a rather familiar story. We refer to this story when we discuss evangelism—meeting people where they are, caring enough to confront, beginning with a non-threatening question (about water). We also refer to this story when we discuss worship—worship not being about a place, worshipping in spirit and in truth. All this, except for distortions and overplay, is good.
But there is something much more radical about this passage: Jesus is talking to a Samaritan woman. Jesus is crossing the barriers of normally held custom. First, Jesus is talking to a woman. That was not a normal occurrence in Jesus’ day. She also had a questionable character. Second, Jesus is talking to a Samaritan. Samaritans were not looked upon kindly by most in ancient Israel. Samaritans were of a lower class, not quite up to the standards of most in the area. Ethnically they were compromised; religiously, they were out of the mainstream. Here is Jesus talking with this Samaritan—a person on the margins. First century Jews would not eat or drink with Samaritans. Jesus is asking her for a cup of water!
We get rather cozy in our Christianity. We do good deeds, but we don’t jump out of our comfort zones. We care for others, but suspect people, or marginalized people, get passed by. Not so with our Lord.
Jesus intentionally went to those on the margins. He lived out this gospel that extended to people who those on the A-list. The disciples were surprised, but were learning. Samaritans were surprised, and they sensed the mercy of God and responded.
Living at the margins is messy, but it is gospel work.