THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT- YEAR-A
I
Reading: Exodus 17:3-7:Give us water to drink.
II Reading: Romans : The love of God has been poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit
which has been given us.
Gospel: John 4:5-42: A spring of water welling up to eternal life.
The Offer of Living Water, Jn 4:1-14
Jesus
offered the Samaritan woman living water and she showed an intriguing interest.
There was the matter of sin in her life, of worship, of the Messiah, and of
labouring for God. Therefore, Jesus began to discuss these subjects with her
one by one.
This
is one the most profound revelations of Jesus: He is the Living Water, the
water which people can drink and thereby never thirst again.
1.
Jesus left Judea (v.1-9)
a.
He left out of necessity
1) For John’s sake
2) For his destiny: He had to go
b.
He left to confront a Samaritan woman
1) He entered Sychar, Samaria
2) He was weary, sat by a well
3) He requested drink from a woman
4) The disciples had gone for food
c.
The woman questioned Jesus
1) She was shocked that Jesus talked
with her
2) She questioned racial prejudice
2.
Living water is alive (v.10)
a.
Is “of God”
b.
Is “the gift” of God
c.
Is given by asking for it
3.
Living water is from a person much greater than a religious father (v.11-12)
4.
Living water is the only water that will quench thirst (v.13-14)
The Subject of Sin, Jn 4:15-18
Jesus
promised the living water of spiritual rebirth from the subject of sin.
1.
There was the request for living water (v.15)
2.
There was the first essential: Facing the truth, the fact of sin (v.16-18)
a.
Jesus stirred conviction
b.
Jesus accepted no evasion
c.
Jesus knew all
d.
Jesus reproved sin
The Subject of Worship, Jn 4:19-24
Man’s
whole concept and approach to worship is changed by Jesus in this passage.
1.
The woman was troubled (v.19-20)
a.
She sensed Jesus to be a prophet
b.
She sensed her sin and the need for true worship
2.
Fact 1: The place of worship is not what important (v.21)
3.
Fact 2: True worship and salvation are from the Jews (v.22)
4.
Fact 3: True worshippers worship God in spirit and in truth (v.23-24)
The Subject of Messiah, Jn 4:25-30
This
is the dramatic picture of conversation and witnessing. The Messiah was
discovered, and the discovery was excitedly shared.
1.
There was the sense that Jesus was the
Messiah (v.25)
2.
There was the great claim of Jesus: He is the Messiah (v.26)
3.
There was the spirit contrary to the Messiah: A spirit of evil thought and
pride (v.27)
4.
There was the proclamation that Jesus is the Messiah (v.28-29)
5.
There was the response of searching for the Messiah (v.30)
The Subject of Labour for God, Jn 4:31-42
The
believer is to labor for God. His/her life is to be focused upon the will and
work of God. His purpose for being on earth is to serve God, to obey and work
for Him.
1.
Physical vs. spiritual concerns (v.31-35)
a.
The disciples’ concern: physical nourishment
b.
Jesus’ concern: spiritual food-to do the will and work of God
c.
Jesus’ challenge: Work and labor for God right now
2.
Labor-for the harvest is ripe, the task is urgent (v.35)
3.
Labor-for there are rewards and great benefits (v.36-38)
a.
Wages
b.
Eternal life
c.
Joy and rejoicing
d.
The privilege of having a specific part in God’s great work
e.
The privilege of being sent by God
f.
The privilege of serving with other great servants of God
4.
Labor-for results follow (v.39-42)
a.
Many believed the woman’s testimony
b.
Other opportunities were given
c.
Many more believed: “This man really is the Saviour of the World.”
Thought. The
“living water” offered by Jesus was the Holy Spirit. The living water that cleanses
us from sin.
Lent is a time
to hasten to recover the life in the Spirit if we have lost it, and a time to
realise its preciousness.
We must open our eyes in order to look God. We
cannot see ahead or around us if we do not open our eyes to look.
Believers are
sent by God. They are to be single-minded. They are not allow their goals and
energy to become entangled with business and affairs of the world.
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