The Truth that Sets us Free
The Gospel of John is often thought of as the Gospel with the most theological depth. John is a genius. He sums up the whole of the Christian message in a collection of disarmingly simple stories. Moreover, John’s stories were easy to understand, unlike the parables that often baffled His followers.
The stories in John’s Gospel differ in detail, but they all carry the same fundamental truth. It is The Truth that Jesus wanted His followers to hear then and us to hear now. People are saved by their encounters with Jesus from whatever weighs them down or holds them back.
In John’s Gospel, we hear about the woman taken in adultery, who is saved not only from stoning and censure: instead, she finds forgiveness. The helpless cripple can walk again and, as a consequence, can care for himself not only materially but spiritually. The man born blind, who can see for the first time, recovers his sight and faith. And the wedding party at Cana is not only revitalized by Jesus’ intervention. Still, it reaches its cheering climax when water meant for purification is changed into wine for celebration.
The message is repeated again and again. Salvation comes not from external actions but from our personal encounters with Jesus. Jesus lifts whatever impediments and burdens life has placed on us and gives us the freedom to love and embrace salvation.
From wherever we are, and wherever we have been, Jesus welcomes us. If we dare to be in His presence in the absolute truth of ourselves, we will know His love. Jesus’ love changes everything. His love is salvation.
Today’s Gospel underlines this truth. The woman at the well was an “outsider’s outsider” to the Lord. She was a Samaritan. He was a Jew. She was a woman; He was a man. She was five times married, well beyond the moral limit in her culture, and living with a man who was not her husband! The Lord was known to be a Rabbi. A Rabbi would never associate with a woman. Most significantly, a Samaritan Woman. The expectation was that Jesus would never associate or engage peripherally with the Samaritan woman. They were undoubtedly scandalized when the Disciples returned and found the Lord speaking with her.
Meeting the Samaritan woman at the Well of Jacob, our Lord accepted the woman. He did not avoid her or condemn her. Instead, he dialogued with her; He received her as she was and allowed her to grow in self-knowledge. Her conversion was so great that she even forgot her water and shared her experience of Christ with others. She was transformed from a town outcast to a town preacher.
People are saved by Jesus’ acceptance, listening, truth, and love — no matter where their lives and decisions have brought them. Transformation and salvation are theirs.
We are saved — freed from the burdens that hold us back. We are called to free others. We are to be preachers. We are evangelists. We live The Truth.
In God’s Unending Love,
Gwen
