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Last Published: 10/27/2008 6:11:44 AM
35. Why Are You Talking with Her? (John 4:27)
Posted by:
SeLahGirl on
January 10, 2008 at
5:28PM EST
Why Are You Talking with Her?
(John 4:27)
27Just then his disciples returned and were surprised to find him
talking with a woman. But no one asked, "What do you want?" or "Why are
you talking with her?"
Why would they be surprised at
seeing Christ talking to this woman? And why would they not ask Christ
about it if it surprised them so much?
There are a couple
possibilities, none of which I'm positive really capture what was
happening in that moment. Perhaps it was because she was a Samaritan
woman, and was thought to be unclean culturally. Perhaps it was because
it was somehow apparent that she had a reputation of living with men in
adultery?
There is also the possibility that their surprise
rested in the fact that women were expected to be more genteel and less
acquainted with discussing such holy/political issues with men. Somehow
thru time the place of a woman had become demeaned and lowered. She was
created from Adam's rib to be his helper, to let him lead, but to have
great influence in his decisions. If he is like the Son, she is like
the Spirit. Both important, both equal, both with very different roles
to perform. Yet both called to accomplish the will of God for the good
of all.
It could be that it was part of the curse. When
Christ said that she would look to her husband, perhaps it meant that
she gave up a portion of her influence upon her husband (and men in
general) in some sense. Maybe that curse due to her sin and her part in
the temptation her husband to sin caused a gradual slide to that lower
place of influence in some respect.
But here is Christ in
his ministry, restoring the place of the woman, removing portions of
the curse until all could be fulfilled and fully restored in the end.
There are many instances where Christ elevates the role and the favor
upon women. He often speaks with them before the men in an attempt to
emphasize that their opinion and involvement in significant issues
matters. During his ministry on earth he began to re-establish her seat
at the table of decision-making. Not that she was to dominate, but that
she had a voice once again, a voice that was to at least be considered.
By giving significant issues/messages/wisdom to women as
much as to men, it requires men to reconsider the role of women. It
makes GODLY men think twice about moving them to the background or
solely to the kitchen/bedroom. The woman becomes the daughter that the
Father cherishes, rather than mere cattle for men to breed and own.
Christianity reinstates and elevates women to a place beside men.
Still requiring her to submit and to let him have the final say in
certain matters of proper authority, but not without a knowledge that
he will be held accountable... It is God who will call him into account
according to the measure of respect and love that he returns to her as
the weaker/lesser vessel. By voicing her heart to her husband/authority
and letting him weigh it and measure it out as he determines, she does
not lose, she wins. She fulfills her role, and God makes sure that male
and female alike are treated justly.
Although matters of abuse and sin change the measure and method of submission greatly.
But that's for another thread.
I have strayed from the topic.... oh yes, possibilities of why the
disciples were surprised that Christ was speaking with the Samaritan
woman....
His disciples wondered at all of this, but they
did not ask him about it. Quite often Jesus was going against the
traditions and the things that they were taught growing up. I'm sure
there were many times when Christ did things that offended them or went
against the grain of their nature.
But they had learned
that there was a reason for everything Christ did that seemed to
contradict the teachings of men and religion. They began to see that
there was a greater Truth at work, a Truth that was more real and that
was pulling back the veil -- bringing clarity to many things. Often
times, there were things that Jesus did and said that made no sense to
them at first. But then later down the road, after the fulfillment of
each and every one, the disciples stood in wonder and often tears as
divine understanding came to them.
At this time, they were
confused about the attention that Christ gave to this woman. That he
would discuss the things of God with her. That he would speak to her as
openly and warmly as he spoke to them....
But later, after
the many things they would walk thru together, male and female,
throughout the ministry of Christ up to his resurrection, the teaching
that Jesus imparted to ALL of them, the respect that he measured out
equally despite sex or race or culture... the Twelve began to no longer
think it strange that God would talk to women as freely as men. They
were all his disciples now.
In the upper room, men and
women alike prayed and called upon God. Each shared what the Lord had
spoken to them and all that he had directed them to do and say. Each
testified about the same Christ and glorified his name in all things.
Each performed a distinct role, but they were one because Christ had
taught them to be one -- just as Father, Son, and Spirit are very
different yet they are One.
As the disciples looked around
that room while praying and waiting on the arrival of the Promise, they
saw one another as believers, no one above the other, each equally
important, each significant, each with specific things to perform and
to accomplish for God. There were no longer questions or surprise at
what each was called to do based on race or social issues. They
understood that ALL (anyone) who would believe in Him is called
according to his purpose...
<3 <3 <3 <3 <3
27And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because
the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will.
28And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
(Romans 8:27-28)
20"My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will
believe in me through their message, 21that all of them may be one,
Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us
so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22I have given
them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one:
23I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let
the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have
loved me.
(John 17:20-23)
<3 <3 <3 <3 <3
One last random thought:
I think that maybe women are commanded to submit, because one of the
most difficult parts of their role/calling is to diligently seek out
the will of God and then step aside -- fully trusting the man with the
well-being of all that she holds dear. (Her role is symbolically the
Spirit and the Bride, one who comes along side to help)
Men
are commanded to love, because one of the most difficult parts of their
role/calling is to cherish the sacrifice of the woman (her will to
submit to him) more than the thrill of the hunt/victory/winning --
accepting the responsibility and pressures of not failing God or the
people that he loves. (His role is symbolically Christ, the weight of
saving the world is upon him and only him).
That's why women often fear broken trust and find it difficult to recover from.
While men often fear failure and struggle to regain their confidence and courage when they experience it.
Not that women don't have to love, or that men never find it necessary
to submit. It just requires a different amount of effort according to
gender (calling) for each of us.
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