Issue 33 Preaching TodayBlog | Preaching today is sitting at the well
Preaching today is sitting at the well
Author: Andy PeckPost Date: 24.12.22
One of my favourite conversations in all scripture can be found in John 4. I say conversation because it was literally that – a conversation between Jesus and a woman, at a well.
There were many powerful moments within that conversation, but one that continues to stand out to me is when Jesus invites this woman to drink from the well of everlasting life. He informs her that, should she choose to do so, she will never thirst again. The invitation to drink from the spring of life is an invitation that has transcended the ages. The invitation is still valid and still open and it is the role of preachers today to extend it to everyone we meet. It does however pose the question; are we sitting at the ‘well’ long enough to extend the invitation? Are our pulpits wells or monuments?
Much of the context surrounding the conversation between Jesus and the Samaritan in John 4 is relevant today. For many reasons Jesus was not supposed to be speaking to this woman. For starters, she was a woman, so that would have been frowned upon. In addition, she was from a different tribe, a different sect. Her people and the Jews (who believed the Messiah was for them only) historically avoided each other. Societal values existed, forming a wedge between her and Jesus. Culturally today, we too exist in a time where everything is polarised. For example, Twitter, with messages within 240 characters, is forcing us to pick a side. Within the church – the body of Christ – there exist teams and debates around social and political issues that prompt us to pick a side. However, at the well, Jesus stretched beyond the controversy around their interaction, so that the woman could meet the fullness of him. Today, I believe that God is hoping that preachers will do the same.
