The Question

I love it when students think enough to ask me about what I don't know! This is from October 12, 2011.

David asked me a question yesterday. That's not unusual. We were reading for a quiz and kids often ask questions about clarification of a statement or the definition of a word. We were reading John 4:1-26, the first part of the story commonly referred to as 'Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well.' I told them was the first missionary journey of Jesus and His men and reminded them that there was no love lost between the Israelites and the Samaritans.While Jesus rested, his men went into the town of Sychar to purchase food. When a local woman approached the historically significant well named after the patriarch Jacob, Jesus broke several taboos by asking her for a drink of water. The lady expressed surprise at his request, leading to an exchange leading to her running back to the village and spreading the news that the Christ might possibly be within earshot! The townspeople came out and listened to the message and many became believers. And so, in seventh period yesterday, David Akwarandu asked me, "Coach, did the woman ever give Jesus a drink of water?" And that stumped me. John does not tell us one way or another- he only relates how the Savior and this unnamed woman carry on a conversation about her private life, worship, the Holy Spirit, and the Messiah. And so I told David, the three words I often fall back on: "I don't know." I use that line quite a bit!

Here is what struck me about the interaction I had with this young man in my class: in all my years of teaching Bible, no one has ever asked me that. In all my years of reading commentaries, I have never seen that query addressed. And in all the times I have read John 4, the thought never came to my mind. And yet a sophomore, without meaning to be profound, wondered about something I might should have pondered. I, and many of you, have read the Scriptures so many times that perhaps we gloss over intricacies of the story as it unfolds. Now I'm curious. We are always told we should do what Jesus asks of us and yet it appears maybe this Samaritan didn't ....... and the result was many added to the kingdom of heaven. And I ask myself tonight, WHY DIDN'T I THINK OF THAT?

Applicable quote of the day:
"I never learn anything talking. I only learn things when I ask questions."
Lou Holtz


God bless,
Steve
Luke 18:1
www.hawleybooks.com
E-mail me at steve@hawleybooks.com