October 10, 2010 - The Woman at the Well

Traveling from Jerusalem in the south to Galilee in the north,Jesus and his disciples took the quickest route, through Samaria. Tired and thirsty, Jesus sat by Jacob's Well, while his disciples went to the village of Sychar, about a half mile away, to buy food. It was about noon, the hottest part of the day, and a Samaritan woman came to the well at this inconvenient time, to draw water.

In his encounter with the woman at the well, Jesus broke three Jewish customs: first, he spoke to a woman; second, she was a Samaritan woman, a group the Jews traditionally despised; and third, he asked her to get him a drink of water, which would have made him ceremonially unclean from using her cup or jar. This shocked the woman at the well.

Then Jesus told the woman he could give her "living water" so that she would never thirst again. Jesus used the words living water to refer to eternal life, the gift that would satisfy her soul's desire only available through him. At first, the Samaritan woman did not fully understand Jesus' meaning.

Although they had never met before, Jesus revealed that he knew she had five husbands and was now living with a man who was not her husband. Jesus now had her attention!

As they talked about their two views on worship, the woman voiced her faith thatMessiahwas coming. Jesus answered, "I who speak to you am he." (John 4:26,ESV)

As the woman began to grasp the reality of her encounter with Jesus, the disciples returned. They were equally shocked to find him speaking to a woman. Leaving behind her water jar, the woman returned to town, inviting the people to "Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did." (John 4:29, ESV)

Meanwhile, Jesus told his disciples the harvest of souls was ready, sown by the prophets, writers of the Old Testament, and John the Baptist.

Excited by what the woman told them, the Samaritans came from Sychar and begged Jesus to stay with them.

So Jesus stayed two days, teaching the Samaritan people about the Kingdom of God.When he left, the people told the woman, "... we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world." (John 4:42, ESV)

Sam's Reflection

This story is about acceptance. God accepted the woman even though He knows how sinful the woman is. God will always forgive us no matter what happens, so make sure that you won't waste His forgiveness.

Pauline's Reflection

I've learned that who ever you are a sinner, a criminal, an abusive person etc. Jesus can still forgive you.:) If you believe in God there is always forgiveness. So, you should your enemies because even God can forgive the most sinful person.:)

Patricia's Reflection

October 9. 2010 - The Good Samaritan

A Jewish man was taking a trip alone and was attacked by robbers. They beat him, robbed him of everything he had, and left him nearly dead beside the road. After while, a Jewish priest came along and saw the poor man lying beside the road. As a religious man, you would expect him to stop and do what he could to help. But, instead, he kept going and pretended he did not see. Later, a Levite came along. Levites were assistants to the priests, so you would expect him to stop and help, too. But, he did just like the priest and kept on going.

Finally, a Samaritan man came by. Even though they both lived in the land of Palestine and shared a similar religion, the Jews and the Samaritans definitely did not think of each other as "neighbors." In fact, they hated each other. The Samaritans came from a different race of people than the Jews. They had considered each other enemies for hundreds of years and refused to even talk to each other!

You would expect the Samaritan man to be the one who just passed by without helping. Instead, this Samaritan man took pity on the injured Jewish man. He bandaged his wounds. He put him on his own donkey and took him to an inn where he could be safe and recover. Since the injured man had been robbed of everything he had, the Samaritan man even paid his bill at the inn and paid the innkeeper to take good care of him!

Sam's Reflection

This story shows that we should love and treat our neighbors as we love and treat ourselves. Now, the word neighbors are not limited to just the people you like or get along with. True generosity and concern is shown in this passage because the Samaritan helped and attended to someone whom his religion considers as an enemy. You shouldn't pick the one to help. If you really want to help someone, even your enemies are possible subjects.

Pauline's Reflection

This story shows that you should love you enemies as you love yourselves. Like in the story even though the Samaritan is a enemy of the Jewish Man. He still helped him and took care of him. you should always help others because even God is always there to help us always.:)

Patricia's Reflection

October 8, 2010 - The Supreme Test of Faith

God tested Abraham to see how strong his faith really was. Was Abraham really worthy to be the ancestor of two great nations of people? Would Abraham go so far as to sacrifice his only remaining son if God asked? So God said to Abraham,

"Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains that I shall show you." (NRSV, Genesis 22:2)

Abraham did not hesitate. He took Isaac and set out for the land of Moriah. He gathered firewood. He built an altar and placed the wood on it. He tied up Isaac and placed him on the altar. He took his knife and lifted it up to kill his son as a sacrifice to God.

At that moment the angel of the LORD shouted to him from heaven, "Abraham! Abraham!" "Yes," he answered. "I'm listening." "Lay down the knife," the angel said. "Do not hurt the boy in any way, for now I know that you truly fear God. You have not withheld even your beloved son from me." (NLT, Genesis 22:11-12)

Abraham had passed the test. He had demonstrated that he was willing to obey God - no matter what!

Sam's Reflection

This passage is about God testing Abraham's faith for Him. When He told Abraham to offer his own son to Him as a sacrifice, Abraham didn't hesitate even if he really love his only son. Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son to the Lord is proof of His faith because it showed that he is willing to give up everything he love for God.

Pauline's Reflection

This story shows if Abraham really obey God no matter what. God tested if Abraham could kill his son just to obey God.:) That means that Abraham has faith in God.

Patricia's Reflection