On-Line Church: "Wedding Bells At Jacob's Well"--Lectionary Reflections For Sunday, March 15, 2020

There may be more to this story than meets the eye.

Since our house church may not meet Sunday due to concerns about a local case of corona virus, here are some reflections on our scripture texts for this week: 

John 4:5-42 A Wondrous Wedding at a Well
Readers of John's gospel would have certainly associated Jesus's encounter with the Samaritan woman at Jacob's well with the familiar story of the visit of Abraham's servant to a well at which he was seeking a bride for his master's son Isaac. In answer to his prayer in the Genesis story, beautiful Rachel comes to the scene and offers the weary traveler and his entourage refreshing water to drink, and the story continues with Rachel returning to become Isaac's beloved bride.
     Here in this Gospel account Jesus, as God's Servant, is seeking a beloved "bride" in the form of a redeemed community of God-followers, in this case among former outsider Samaritans. The unlikely woman appearing at the well at midday (who was currently without a husband) offers Jesus water, engages in conversation with him and eagerly runs to her village to invite others to hear about the living water the visiting Bridegroom has to offer. 
     The church as Bride represents one of the most intimate metaphors for the relationship between God and God's people. We are invited into a covenant relationship that is based on a union that is joyful, enduring, and celebrative beyond words. 

Romans 5:1-11 A Marriage Proposal And Invitation
In this well known passage the terms of this relationship between God and God's bride are outlined in joyful detail. Through the gracious provision of the Bridegroom, we enter into a relationship of peace with God that assures us of a truly "happily ever after" future. Not that there won't be hardships along the way, but these will all result in even greater experiences of God's love and healing presence.

Matthew 5:21-37 A Wedding Meditation
In this text from Jesus's inaugural "Sermon on the Mount, " we are urged to avoid harboring anger, keep short accounts when there are differences, avoid all forms of marital unfaithfulness, and always speak the truth to one another.

Psalm 95 Wonderful Wedding Music
The joy we feel is infectious and never ending. What a great union between God and God's beloved, to be forever celebrated and to never, ever be severed!

Exodus 17:1-7 A Reception With Abundant Refreshment
Here God's people, weary and thirsty, come together to enjoy a plentiful supply of refreshing, living water from a Rock which is a symbol for the spiritual source of our "water of life," Christ. In the first of his miracles, at a wedding, no less, Jesus turns ordinary water into exotic wine for the enjoyment of everyone at the reception.
     Let the celebration begin!

Here's a beautiful poem one of our members wrote for our on-line church service this Sunday:

Water!

In desert I have wandered long

And chased mirage of sacred pool.

Another day and I shall die

Unless I find that water cool.

Behold!  A Rock and from it pours

Unending stream, a life supply,

Enough, and more, to drink, be cleansed.

I thirst, I drink and shall not die.

And shall I flee the desert now

That God has shown to me the Way?

No, I must be a desert guide.

River of Life now bids me stay.

M. Lois Rivera-Wenger