HEALTHY FAMILIES FOR ETERNITY

HEALTHY FAMILIES FOR ETERNITY REACH THE WORLD
26
“Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus
tired as He was from the journey, sat
down by the well.”
John 4: 6
“Tired as He was from the journey.” This
description probably fits more of those in
this audience than we might wish to admit. I
am encouraged to know that Jesus felt weary
at times, too. His tiredness was probably
accentuated by His concern for the brokenness
of the planet as the current challenges inside
and outside of the Church accentuate our sense
of fatigue at times.
Then a Samaritan woman comes to the well.
The disciples were off to the “Adventist Book
Center” to buy food for the journey—focusing
on real, felt needs! Jesus then engages this
Samaritan woman in conversation by asking
for a drink. I love to imagine the surprise and
awe in her expression as she questions Jesus on
His appropriateness in asking her, a Samaritan
woman, for water. She comes to the well at this
hour to miss the penetrating and judgmental
gazes of her fellow villagers. You see, she was
carrying a load of emotional sorrows and guilt,
brought into sharp relief by the attitude of
others (and by her own behavior and situation).
Jesus shares with her the importance of
salvation and reveals that He is the Living
Water, the Embodiment of Salvation. They
banter a little about where true worship takes
place: “On this mountain,” or in Jerusalem.
Jesus describes deep truth to her, and He
describes true worship—that being in spirit
and in truth.
He reveals Himself to her as the Messiah.
Just then, the disciples return, but—although
surprised that He was talking to a Samaritan
woman—asked no questions. Have you ever
wondered why the impetuous Peter refrained
from some commentary or even correction? I like
to imagine that as the disciples approached the
scene, astonished, aghast, maybe even indignant
at what they were witnessing, Jesus gave them
“the look”— what “look” would that be? The
one so well known to parents, children and even,
or perhaps especially to spouses—the look that
articulates more clearly and sometimes more
audibly than words the message “Don’t even
think about making a comment, or fueling an
argument!” It is recorded, “But no one asked,
‘What do you want?’ or ‘Why are you talking
with her?’ ” (John 4: 27).
They offer him food. He is no longer hungry
or tired because He finds His fulfillment and
sustenance in mission. “My food is to do the
will of Him who sent Me and finish His work.”
(John 4:34).
The disciples are surprised! Jesus crossed every
boundary of custom, religion, ethnicity, and
gender, and ministered with compassion to a
needy, guilty soul. The pen of inspiration tells us
that, “A mysterious hand was turning the pages
of her life history, bringing to view that which
she had hoped to keep forever hidden.” (White,
1898, p. 187). She accepted salvation; she ran
back to the city, persuaded others to come and
meet Jesus, and they were blessed by His witness
for a further two days.
“She proved herself a more effective missionary
than His own disciples.” (White, 1898, p. 195)
What a blessed outcome of holistic, comprehensive
ministry—Comprehensive Health Ministry!
We have come to a time when every
member of the church should take
hold of medical missionary work.
The world is a lazar house filled
with victims of both physical and
spiritual disease. Everywhere people
are perishing for lack of knowledge
of the truths that have been
committed to us. The members
of the church are in need of an
awakening, that they may realize
their responsibility to impart
these truths.
White, 1855, Vol 7, p. 62
Come with me now to the experience of
Peter and John as they practice and implement
mission and Comprehensive Health Ministry,
as learned from Jesus. We fast-forward into
the book of Acts, chapters 3 and 4. At three
in the afternoon, Peter and John are going to