Claim Sin & Jesus
John 4:1-30
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Our text for this morning comes from the Gospel lesson. I hope nobody takes offense because this may be an extreme generalization. But I don't know if you ever notice the demographic changes depending upon what time you go to the grocery store. You find that the grocery store seems to have a different appearance at different times in the day. There are certain people the shop during the morning, others early afternoon, a new crowd shows up in the evening after most people have gotten out of work, and then there is the late night crowd.
The reason why I say this, is because it appears as if there are certain groups of people that seem to be avoiding other groups of people. I make these observances based on my own trips to Walmart and HyVee.
I don't think this woman from Sychar would be doing her grocery shopping at noon. But in Samaria people came to draw water during the cooler parts of the day, not when the sun is highest. This woman is coming out at noon in order to avoid the crowds. She has become an outcast, either on account of her own guilt and shame or on account of the scorn of the people.
The Samaritan woman finds something very strange and very different when she comes out to gather water. She probably noticed a man at the well from a distance, and thought to turn back. But then she realized the man was a Jew, and a Jew would never lower himself to talk to a Samaritan, especially not her. So she proceeds to the well.
Then he speaks to her. This man who has nothing, I picture him even looking abandoned at the well (since his disciples have left him). He speaks to her, and asks her for something to drink. She does not offer him something to drink, but immediately questions why he is speaking to her.
Jesus then offers to give her living water, so she would never have to come out to draw water again. He offers her a gift. This startles her even more, because she is the one with the pail or ability to draw water. Jesus has nothing, how can he draw this water?
Thus, John 4:11, “Sir, you have nothing to draw water with, and the well is deep. Where do you get that living water?" Let us then turn this question upon you, Where do you get living water from? What do you do for your water? What do you do for your food? Most of us know that food and water cost money. But I am not talking about what you find at the grocery store or a well.
I am talking about your spiritual food and your spiritual water. I am talking about your eternal life. What have you done for your salvation? What are you going to do for eternal life? How do you make your life right with God? We like to look around us and think of all the things we have access to. We may turn to our good works. We may turn to our friends and family. We may even turn to our material goods.
But ultimately the question must be asked, "Sir, you have nothing to draw water with, and the well is deep. Where do you get that living water?" This water does not come from you. You cannot draw this water. This salvation is only given as a gift from God.
The first part of our text does not tell you to do anything. Jesus comes to the outcast and tells her what he is going to do for her. Jesus is going to rescue her from her shame and guilt. Jesus is offering to her everlasting life, and forgiveness of sins.
But then there is the turn in the text. What is asked of this woman? Where is your Husband? She has five husbands. She has joined her body with five different men. She is even starting to join herself with another man. This is part of her shame and guilt. Because of this she will change the subject. But ultimately what does this text teach us to do?
This text teaches us to take ownership of our sin. After recognizing Jesus to be the Christ, she owns her guilt, shame, and sin. This woman returns to Sychar, the people she has avoided, and tells them, "Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did. Can this be the Christ?" She might have changed the subject earlier, but now she claims her sins.
Therefore, we need to confess our sins. If we confess our sins, God who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins. When you claim your sin, you can take control of those sins. You place those sins at the foot of the cross. You confess them, you turn and face that sin. You don't face your sin alone, but face that sin with Christ. Christ has paid the debt you owe because of those sins. You face your bodily desires, with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit has killed you with your sin and made you alive again.
We can continue to try to atone for our own sins. We can gather all our resources together, but we will not be able to pay what we owe. We cannot do it by ourselves. Likewise, we may try to stop sinning by ourselves, but you cannot do it on your own. You are sinful and unclean. You are by nature sinful. Your sins will consume you.
But claim your sins. Be honest with yourself, your family, and your community. Be open about your sins, not so that other people can shame you. But as the Samaritan woman claims her sin, she is able to tell the people about someone who knew everything she had ever done. We likewise know this same Jesus Christ. He is the one who died for the forgiveness of your sins. He even takes your sins upon himself, and claims them as his own in your place. And we can finally tell someone what Christ has actually done for us, when we claim our sins, and receive forgiveness in Christ Jesus. Amen.
The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.
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