Jesus respect for women - John 4

A message I gave on Mothers Day

This custom of having a Sunday to honour mothers began in the US about 100 years ago.
The purpose was not only to give thanks to our mothers, but to recognise that mothers have tremendous influence in shaping the lives of the next generation.
I am sure Jesus knew this – because he always blessed and encouraged and lifted up mothers and women. I believe he did this because he knew that every time women are blessed and encouraged, they share it in their homes and among their friends. The blessing multiplies quickly! And the Kingdom of God is all about multiplying God’s goodness and love.

How did Jesus relate to his mother?
There are two stories about Jesus and his mother that show his respect and his tenderness for her. When Jesus was at the Wedding in Cana and the wine ran out – his mother asked him do something about it. He told her that it was not his time to do these things. But she would not give up – and she said to the servants ‘Do whatever he tells you.’ I am sure Jesus smiled at her when she said that! I believe Jesus agreed to do this first miracle because he respected his mother’s faith and perseverance. She had great influence in his life. And look how many people were blessed because she did.
Then when he is hanging on the cross in terrible pain – he tells John, his best friend, that he must care for his mother as if she is his own – and then he says to Mary “Look, there is your son.” He wanted his mother cared for when he was gone. Even in his agony, he remembered the needs of his mother.

In the story we read today from John’s gospel, Jesus has a most interesting conversation with a Samaritan woman. We have no idea if she is a mother. But the way Jesus speaks to her shows us how Jesus wanted to bless women, even women who no-one else wanted to bless.

The Samaritans were related to the Jews, but they had some different beliefs and they lived separately. And the Jews despised them as inferior.
So in this story Jesus stops for a rest beside the well outside of a Samaritan town. His disciples go on into the town to buy food. And when the Samaritan woman comes to draw water – Jesus asks her to draw water so he can have a drink.

It is clear he cares enough about this woman to break the cultural rules and talk to her. Culture said he should ignore her. He should not talk to her. But he doesn’t. He asks for a drink and begins a conversation that will change her life, and the life of her village. He cares more about her life than about keeping the cultural rules. He breaks the rules to bring her to peace and joy.

Then he starts to show her who he really is. “I am the one who can give you living water,” he says. He is talking about the Holy Spirit who will come to live in all who believe in Jesus. “Give me this water!” she says.
Then he begins to show her that he knows who SHE really is. “You have had five husbands.” This could mean that they have all died – or that some have died and some have divorced her. For only a man can divorce his wife in that culture, not the other way around.
He is not criticising her – and he is not just exposing her failures in relationships. He is not saying she is a bad woman.

I think he is saying to her “I know you have had a painful and difficult life – you have looked for love and security again and again. And I know you have had loss and grief and confusion many times. I understand what your life has been like.”
Then he says – “And the man you are living with now is not your husband.”

Is Jesus condemning her or making her feel ashamed? I don’t think so -. because she does not cry or ask for forgiveness - and she does not run away in shame.
In fact – she is impressed that Jesus knows so much. “You are a prophet!” she says.
And then she immediately begins to discuss theology with Jesus. If he was judging her she would not feel free to discuss the differences in their beliefs! The tone of his voice, and the way he spoke to her showed her he cares – he does not condemn.

And he tells her about his Father. He tells her “the Father is seeking true worshippers – who are not concerned about the place where they worship – but who worship from knowing him in their hearts.”
Then he reveals to her that he is the Messiah, the promised King. “I am the one you are all waiting for!”

He is telling her things he has not told anyone else! He is revealing the secrets of heaven to her! And yet she is a despised woman in her village. This is an amazing conversation.

1. He broke through custom and prejudice to reveal himself and his compassion to her.

2. He helped her to be completely honest with him about her deep heart needs.

3. He offered her the ‘living water’ of the Spirit who will satisfy her thirst for love and relationship.

4. He taught her about true worship and the Father and the future.

5. He revealed to her who he really was.

I believe Jesus showed incredible care and compassion and respect to this woman who was despised by others in her village. He lifted her up and showed her a new way to live.

We see that he did this with other women too. He let them touch him, and cry over him and pour expensive perfume over him. And other people criticised him for this. He encouraged Mary to learn and grow in her knowledge of him – even though her sister Martha was complaining about all the work that needed to be done. He refused to judge a woman caught in adultery. He challenged her accusers about their own sin - but he offered to her forgiveness and a new start.

We never see Jesus being critical to women – or telling them their role is only to care for the home and family. We see him honouring them – lifting them up out of pain and sin – and letting them learn alongside of the men about who he is. I think he does this because he knows that when women drink in encouragement and blessing –and when they discover new things about the Lord - they will share them and bless many others. It will multiply quickly.

It is demonstrated so clearly in this story. What does the Samaritan woman do after she has had this conversation with Jesus? She runs back to her village and becomes a witness for Jesus. She is so excited by the way he has spoken to her that she cannot help telling everyone. And because of her story - they ask him to stay and talk with them too, and many come to believe in him.

Jesus said he came to bring life in all its fullness – to women and men, to mothers and wives and single women and girls, to boys and young men and fathers.

I hope you have taken time today to speak blessing and encouragement into the women in your life. Not just mothers and grandmothers, but your aunties, your sisters and your daughters.

And will you do what Jesus did? Will you break through any cultural barriers that you have and speak blessing to the women in your life? Encourage them – speak a blessing over them – and help them enjoy the Lord with you.

When you do this you will see it multiply into their families. They will pass on what you pour into them. And the Kingdom of love will be seen where you live.

A Blessing Prayer - for men to pray over the women in their lives:

I bless you in Jesus’ name.

The Lord delights in you and calls you ‘His beloved’.

May you know his love and compassion every day of your life.

May you find his strength and wisdom in your daily life.

May you walk with courage and joy every day.

You are precious and honoured in his sight.

Thank you for all you give to others.

I bless you with the favour of the Father, and the Son, and the Spirit.

Amen.