The Woman At Samaria's Well May Be The Most Powerful Person in ALL of John; John 4

 

Rev. George Miller

Jan 30, 2022

John 4:7-15,21-30, 39-42

 

Two weeks ago we discussed the concept of being “in” and being “out.”

 

Last week we were with Jesus and John the Baptist by the river.

 

We discussed-

 

1)   The joy of knowing who you are and who you are not

2)   The joy of “abundant” water

 

Today all 3 concepts come together in a wonderful way.

 

It’s the story of Jesus meeting a woman at the well and through God’s abundance, those who were once considered out are welcomed in.

 

First, a review.

 

John’s Gospel was written for a group of people being kicked out of worship spaces because of what they believed.  

 

They thought that God came to earth in human flesh.  That in Jesus, God was bringing forth a New Creation, and grace upon grace was now given to all.

 

The religious leaders of the day didn’t approve of this new theology, so they kicked out all who proclaimed Christ.

 

Instead of apologizing, or hiding their light, John and his peers double down.

 

“In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God, and we’re going to show you how.”

 

And boy oh boy, girl oh girl, they sure did with this masterpiece of storytelling in John 4.

 

The scene: Samaria.  The absolute last place anyone would expect a rabbi to go, let alone God-In-The-Flesh.

 

The Samaritans were the most looked down upon, despised, dejected, people of the day.

 

Today’s tale is as “outside” and “unpopular” as possible…but then it goes a step further. 

 

Jesus doesn’t just meet a Samaritan; he meets a female Samaritan. 

 

Just when you think you couldn’t go any lower on the social ladder, oh, it gets even lower. 

 

She’s had 5 husbands.  She’s alone by the well at noon, in a culture in which women did such things together.

 

This is not a story of Jesus interacting with an outsider, this is the story of Jesus standing before the outsider of the outsiders of the ultimate outsiders.

 

This woman is so low on the ladder that she’s the dirt beneath the dirt.

 

She’s the among the most despised peoples.

She’s a woman.  She’s lost 5 husbands.

No one wants to walk with her.

There’s no mention of her having kids.

 

She has nothing.  Nada.  Zip.

 

But…because there is always a “but”, do not underestimate this woman.

 

In many ways she is perhaps the most powerful person in the entire Gospel.

 

Why?

 

Because sometimes the 1 with nothing left to lose becomes the most forceful and revolutionary person there is.

 

What could Jesus say or do that could make her any more unpopular than she already is, or her life any more difficult?

 

She has zero to lose and if you notice, this amazing woman stands her own, goes toe to toe with Jesus. 

 

She engages him in one of the most intellectual, illuminating conversations you will find in all of the Bible.

 

Jesus and the Woman from Samaria volley conversation back and forth, like perfectly matched counterparts

 

There’s request, question, answer, instruction, illumination, metaphor, history, appeal, witness, celebration, evangelism.

 

While the rest of the town is having lunch and sipping soup this woman is creating history.

 

While the 12 disciples are off doing who knows what, she and she alone brings an entire city before the feet of Jesus to meet God in the Flesh.

 

This is a radical story about how God is recreating a new world in which the unpopular now are welcome to eat with the Beauty Queens and Jocks.

 

This is a radical story in which those who have been kept out are now discovering that they are welcome in.

 

This is a story in which water plays a prominent part, and just like last week, this water is in abundance.

 

Abundance.

 

A well full of water so deep, so wide that everyone and anyone is invited to come and take and sip and enjoy.

 

A well of water so deep, so wide that not only is there enough for all, but 2,000 years later there’s still plenty for each person who is here.

 

A well of water so deep, so wide that even those who feel they have nothing, or are nothing discover they are somebody, they have a place, and Jesus Christ is Savior of the World.

 

Are you feeling lonely?

          Come to the well.

 

Are you surrounded by scorching heat?

          Come to the well.

 

Are you feeling like you can not lose 1 more person, 1 more thing, 1 more part of your life?

          Come to the well.

 

Are you feeling like you are empty or not enough?

          Come to the well.

 

Discover just how amazing, how smart, how strong you really, really are.

 

Jesus is at the well.

Jesus is ready to have a chat.

 

Jesus is ready to offer each and every one of us

Living Water.

Fresh.

Free.

Abundant.

 

For that, let us say “Amen.”

Joy In Knowing Who You Are, and Who You Ain't; John 3:22-20

 

Rev. George Miller

Jan 23, 2022

John 3:22-30

 

One of my favorite quotes is attributed to Albert Einstein, intellect supreme.

 

Supposedly he said “Everyone is a genius.  But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.”

 

I love that quote…but alas Einstein never said it, but it does not change the truth of the quote’s intent.

 

A fish is not a failure because it can not climb a tree, nor is a chimp a chump because it cannot swim the sea.

 

Fish are made for the water; chimpanzees to climb towards the sun.

 

What a gift to know who you are, who you are not; the joy it brings and the grief it avoids.

 

Last week we discussed the topic of fitting in and belonging. 

 

The author of John and his peers did not fit in.  They were kicked out of the Synagogue, kicked out of the Temple, but this did not stop them from forming an identity.

 

And their identity became clear- they were followers of Christ, and as so, they saw themselves as living in the light and identified as Children of God.

 

Because of their faith, they did not try to climb a tree they weren’t part of, nor did they swim a sea they couldn’t navigate.

 

They embraced who they were.  Though the Religious Bullies tried to tear them down, they found a way to stand strong in their faith and find joy.

 

That’s part of what makes today’s reading so delightful.  Here we witness John the Baptist being a busy, busy man, preparing people for the Messiah.  He’s preaching, teaching, leading, baptizing.

 

All so that when Jesus arrives on the scene people will be ready.

 

John has amassed a large group of followers.  Folk are flocking to him.

 

John is so good at what he does, people begin to assume he’s the Messiah.  John corrects them.

 

Today both John and Jesus are in the same space at the same time doing the same work- both are Big Dawgs drawing big crowds. 

 

Someone comes up to John, trying to start some mess- “Bro- the new guy in town is across the way and his crowd is HUGE.”

 

John does not take the bait; he’s secure in his role and identity.

 

John simply states “You all heard me say ‘I’m not the One.’ My role is to be his best-man, bringing folk to him as one brings a wedding couple together at the altar.”

 

John says “My joy has been fulfilled.”

 

My joy has been fulfilled.

 

Don’t you love that?  Wouldn’t that be the coolest last words to say before we leave this world?

 

Can you imagine Betty White and Sidney Poitier saying this very thing? 

 

“My joy has been fulfilled.”

 

Why?  Because John the Baptist knew who he was, what he was called to do.

 

When people began to flock around Jesus and not him, John knew his ministry was not in vain.

 

Beautiful.

 

There’s something else you may have noticed; a possible other reason John the Baptist found great peace at his friend’s fortune-

 

The water was abundant.

 

Chapter 3:23 tells us that just as Jesus and his disciples were baptizing folk, so was John. 

 

The water was abundant. 

 

There was plenty; enough.

 

Neither John nor Jesus operated under a sense of scarcity or “mine, mine, mine” but ministered with a sense of abundance-

 

The waters would not run out, the rivers would not go dry, so there’s no reason both Jesus and John can do what they do.

 

How refreshing to see the lack of competition.  How wonderful to see 2 grown men share the same resources, and not feel like they must compete.

 

How wonderful that John the Baptist found joy in who he was and the role he played in the Kingdom of God.

 

John wasn’t out to overwhelm himself by doing too much, working too long, or trying to be all things to all people.

 

Instead John did John, he let Jesus be Jesus, and we are all the better for it.

 

Joy.

 

Such a big theme of today’s reading; such a big theme for John’s Gospel.

 

Even as the people of John’s day wrestled with what it means to be different, what it means to be uncool, they still find joy.

 

Joy in accomplishment.

Joy in keeping the commandments.

Joy in birth of a new creation.

Even joy after a night of weeping.

 

Joy in knowing who you are.

Joy in knowing who you are not.

 

Joy in knowing we follow a mighty, mighty God.

 

For that, let us say “Amen.”

John 2:23-25- Open and Affirming, Welcoming and Wonderful

 

Rev. George Miller

Jan 16, 2022

John 2:23-25

 

Growing up was not easy for me, as I suspect it wasn’t easy for many of you.

 

I was the awkward child who was falsely led to believe that I was less than, ugly, and not good enough.

 

Where other kids had designer jeans, and the newest Nikes, I had the Sears brand Husky Jeans and the no-name Velcro-sneakers.

 

Growing up where I did, you were either Irish or Italian, Jewish or Catholic.  We were Protestant, and reminded of that.

 

One of life’s greatest hurts occurred when I was a child, inflicted by a person who smiled with Christian love.

 

Her name was Marty.  She lived in the 1^st house on the block; a Catholic woman who taught catechism.

 

One day Marty invited all the kids from the neighborhood inside for treats.   

 

Everyone except me.

 

Marty said I could sit outside on the stoop, which I did, as she handed me my own bowl of popcorn.

 

When my Mom found out…she went right over to give Marty a “what for”, but Marty proceeded to shame and humiliate my Mom in front of the kids.

 

I’ll never forget that experience.

 

7^th grade was the worst year of my life.  Turns out many people will say that.

 

7^th grade in 1982 on Long Island is when you go from elementary school to Jr. High, from cubby holes in the classroom to lockers in the hallway.

 

Back then was the time when gym teachers instituted and encouraged a pecking order, with events like dodge ball to the face, mandatory open showers, and picking on the fat boy.

 

I was that fat boy, not knowing how to stop my peers when they would grab my chest and pull.

 

During 7^th grade I walked to school rather than endure the torment of a bus ride.  Lunch was the loneliest experience because no one wanted me to sit with them, not even the nerds.

 

But then 1984 came along, and the change began.  I was best friends with the best-looking girl in school.  Started jogging. Madonna and Prince were all over the airwaves, making me want to dance.

 

By 1986 I lost the baby fat, hit my growth spurt and started school in skinny jeans with everyone saying “Who’s that?”.

 

But no one ever tells you that when you were fat and teased, that no matter how skinny or handsome you become, you will always feel like that fat, ugly kid…

 

Thankfully, I’ve been able to learn who I truly am along this journey called life.

 

Thankfully, college and career and good, good friends have reshaped seeing myself as who I truly am.

 

 Coming to Sebring has allowed me to grow, shed perceptions, and become part of something so much bigger.

 

The late Rev. Andy Conyer from Unity Church once said “Sebring has a way to call people here so they can work through their stuff.”  Rev. Conyer was right.

 

Living in a town like ours has allowed me to see and be seen, to be welcome “as is,” to know that I never have to eat at a table alone, unless if I choose too. 

 

Sebring has taught me that being alone is not the same as being lonely, that life is really about having a house you can call a home, a ministry that makes a difference, and the people you choose to surround yourself with.

 

Everything else is basically secondary.

 

So last year, when I began growing out my beard or wearing blue nail polish, it wasn’t to shock or seek attention, but it was a way of saying that I am finally comfortable in my own skin.

 

The beard and nail polish was also a way to travel back in time and say to that terrified 12-year-old “No one can use my appearance against me again.”

 

Now, my story is mine, but it is not that unique.  If we sat down in a circle and told our truth, we’d find

 

-men who were told to “man up”

-women who were accused being too strong

-girls who developed early being shamed

-boys who developed late being teased

-people who were told they were too dark or too light

 

Truth be told, it can feel like we are all living 7^th grade again and again.

 

Worrying what others might say.

Wanting to be part of the in-crowd.

 

Yearning to be popular; afraid to be different.

 

Not wanting to cause a disturbance lest the Head Cheerleader or school bully decides to zero in on you.

 

And yet- here is the greatest truth you can learn - no one really cares who are and how you live once they know that you are unapologetically you.

 

The only people who are threatened by your unique self are those who have yet to find out who they are.

 

The only power people have over you is what you think they think about you.  As long as worry about what others think, they have won, and they have the control.

 

THAT is a huge part of what the Gospel of John is about.

 

The Gospel of John was written by a Jewish person for other Jewish people who were having a shared experience-

 

They were being kicked out of their homes of worship for who they were and what they believed.

 

John’s Gospel was written at a time in which the followers of Christ were still primarily identifying themselves as Jewish, and because they were seen as odd balls, they were being kicked out of the synagogues and the Temple.

 

And who can blame them?

 

The Jewish faith was rooted in the idea that God cannot be seen, idolatry was wrong, and those who followed Kosher laws were acceptable.

 

So they didn’t know how to respond when into their houses of worship came others who claimed that God came down in human flesh, it was OK to call Christ LORD, and eating pork rinds and shrimp scampi was now acceptable.

 

Not only that, these oddball followers of Christ were welcoming people of other beliefs to come and participate.  People were being allowed to worship God without being circumcised or refraining from polyester blends and lobster thermidor.

 

Imagine the shock of the faithful who have been living and worshipping in such a way for 2,000 years when they hear about this guy named Jesus who met a Samaritan woman at the well and offered her the same reward as what the cool kids were getting?

 

Jesus meeting a woman at the well and speaking to her as a peer is like hearing that Scarlett Ohara had supper with President Lincoln or that Fauci spent his weekend at an anti-vaxxer retreat.

 

There is nooo way the cool kids of Temple are going to allow the followers of Jesus to worship in their space.

 

So the author of John, and his friends, are tossed out. 

 

They’re not even allowed to sit on the stoop and eat a bowl of popcorn.

 

They are told they aren’t good enough; there’s something wrong with them.

 

And instead of conforming to be like the popular kids, instead of changing who they are, or apologizing for what they believe, John starts his Gospel with these in your face, I’m not going to back down words of extreme faith-

 

“In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God.”

 

And the world has never been the same since.

 

So…..why are we sharing this?

 

It’s because we, as church, having voted to be Open and Affirming, have reached the next logical, predictable step of our journey-

 

Some folks are now second guessing and wondering if we have gone too far.

 

After a week of changing our website banner to feature a rainbow and a sign that says “We are an Open and Affirming Church”, there are a few people who are worried.

 

They are worried about what others think.  They are worried if the cool kids of Highlands County won’t want to play with us.

 

They are also worried that because we are now Open and Affirming everything will be “gay, gay, gay” and we will no longer focus on humility, justice and kindness to everyone.

 

In other words, there are those who feel we may have stepped a foot too far out of the closet and maybe we should step back in, where it appears to be safe.

 

I think the author of John would say “No.  That’d what the world wants you to do, but that’s not who you are.”

 

I think Jesus would say “I met you at the well knowing exactly who you are, why you want to go back to how you used to be?”

 

It is important for us to speak this out loud and put it out there so everyone can hear, and everyone watching from home can see-

 

Becoming Open and Affirming means “We are accepting and welcoming to the LGBTQIA community.” 

 

This is important, because in a county with 100,000 residents, there are 5 to 10,000 people who have been waiting for a place to belong and feel safe.

 

If we hide our message, that means we are doing so because we are not strong enough to stand before the naysayers.

 

But here’s the great thing- in our very nature by saying we are Open and Affirming, folks who are outsiders will know they are welcome to so many, be it race, gender, status, relationship.

 

If anyone is worried that I will not continue to work for and pastor a diverse group of folks- have you not met me?

 

If you worry about us neglecting all the other people in our community,

may we remind you that we are constructing a Handicap Accessible Community Garden.

 

We are feeding the hungry.  We are sending students in Haiti to school.

 

We are building homes in Biloxi.

 

We’ve held community conversations about women, men, veterans, Civil Rights.

 

We have connections with the NAACP, Ridge SDA, Boys and Girls Club, County Commissioners.

 

Not to mention all the work you all individually do, and the organizations you belong to.

 

So as we continue 2022 embracing our new identity as Open and Affirming, let us be bold like John, let us be bold like the earliest followers of Christ, let us be bold like Jesus himself.

 

In 2022 let us be unapologetically us.

 

Because when we are us, we welcome and celebrate others no one else can.

 

Yes, we now openly celebrate the LGBTQ community, but we also celebrate Haiti and Cuba, America, the Philippines and Canada, golfers and grandparents, mothers and fathers, veterans and those who’ve lost a child.

 

Don’t be afraid when you see the occasional rainbow flag, see it as a form of identity, just as you would see the flag of Haiti, the flag of Scottland, the flag of America.

 

If you still are unsure, if you still have questions and figuring out what it means to say that Emmanuel UCC is Open and Affirming, we will be patient, we will explain, and we will give you time.

 

What we don’t want is for you to be afraid or give in to what others may think.

 

We are Emmanuel UCC.  We love we give we share.

 

We have a passion for God and compassion for all. 

 

That is never going to change.

 

We just now have a new addition to what “all” means. 

 

And I’m sure that makes God smile.

 

Amen and amen.