John 4:5-26—In the Gospel lesson Jesus is the water of eternal
life. Jesus offers living water to a
Samaritan woman to whom He reveals himself as the Messiah. In this Gospel lesson,
we are given several important subjects: the attitude of Jesus toward a
Samaritan woman, Jesus’ humanity in wanting a drink and offering living water,
the moral condition of the woman, the proper place and nature of worship,
Jesus’ declaration that He is the Messiah, and the woman’s response of
witnessing. In relation to the other lessons, the main theme of the Gospel is
that Jesus is the water of life giving eternal life. He can give this living
water because He is the Messiah.
Jesus says, “Salvation is from the Jews.” Our salvation has its roots in the
history of the Hebrews. It began with Abraham. Through the centuries, God has
been writing a salvation history through words and events culminating in Jesus
the Jew. The New Testament cannot be fully understood apart from the Old.
Who is this man going to the cross?
Jesus is known as the friend of sinners. He associated with them because He
knew they needed Him for a fuller life. We find Him talking with a woman
of a despised race.
As the Messiah Jesus’ desire is to change her life, the
power of life-giving water is given to a Samaritan woman who meets Jesus at a
well. As Jesus has an encounter with this woman, He offers to her a changed
life as she exchanges her life for His. This is your experience as well;
experiencing that great exchange – God’s mercy and forgiveness purchased at the
cost of His own Son.
Eternal Lord, your kingdom has broken
into our troubled world through the life, death, and resurrection of your Son.
Help us to hear your word and obey it, so that we become instruments of your
redeeming love.[2]
Collect for Friday of the week of Lent
2: Merciful Father
may our acts of penance bring us your forgiveness, open our hearts to your
love, and prepare us for the coming feast of the resurrection. We ask this
through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the
Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. [3]10
March 2023
[3] Collect for Friday of the week of Lent 2, For All the Saints, A Prayer Book For and By the Church, © 1995, The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY
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