Monday, August 26, 2013

John 4:5

So Jesus comes upon a small hamlet in Samaria by the name of Sychar.  It is a significant spot because Jacob, a prominent patriarch of the Hebrew nation, had given his favorite son Joseph this particular plot.  John 4:5 EFP

Jesus wanders into a town called Sychar, which just happens to be the location of a place called “Jacob’s Lot”.  This is a nice bit of information, but why does John feel like we need to know about it?

I thought about this and concluded that prior to this day, the most significant thing that could be said about Sychar is that it is the location of plot deeded by a patriarch of the Jewish nation to his son centuries before.  It bears mentioning that the Samaritans trace their heritage back to Jacob as well.  They are descendants of Abraham, Jacob, and Isaac, just like the Jews.  They are Israelites just like the Jews of the “Southern Kingdom”.  Their history is a bit more checkered than their brothers to the south, and for this their heritage is constantly questioned by the self-titled pure-bloods of Judea.

But something special is about to happen in this little town of Sychar.  With no fanfare or pomp, but plenty of divinely initiated circumstance the Desire of the Ages is making an appearance—a very personal one.  Sychar is previously known as the place where patriarch Jacob owned a plot, but from this day forward that location will be remembered for a totally different reason.  Everything will change today.  Their entire history will be anchored to a different event involving two people seeking: one seeking satisfaction, the other seeking to satisfy the longings of the human heart.  It is a beautiful thing when the seeker sinner and the Seeking Savior meet.

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