PLEASE BE A BLESSING TO US!

Roof Contribution Announcement

 Matthew 16:18 ESV

And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

 New Bethel AME Church is asking for your assistance, as we continue to maintain our local assembly for a place of fellowship and worship.  We have a goal to obtain funding to replace our roof by the end of this calendar year.  We are asking you to partner with us in making a monthly or one-time donation.  There are multiple ways to make your contribution.  Please feel free to give online via New Bethel’s website (http://www.newbethelameredtop.com), via the donate icon, Givelify, or mail your contribution to the address listed below. Please add the comment ‘roof donation’. We appreciate your continued efforts

We need $1,200.00 more PLEASE help us!

Lord I thank you, I can see the NEW ROOF going on by Christmas.

 

Sunday School Lesson

December 1

Lesson 1 (KJV)

David’s Worship

 

Devotional Reading: 1 Chronicles 16:7–13, 28–33

Background Scripture: 2 Samuel 6:12–16; 1 Chronicles 15

 

1 Chronicles 15:1–3, 14–16, 25–29a

 

1. And David made him houses in the city of David, and prepared a place for the ark of God, and pitched for it a tent.

 

2. Then David said, None ought to carry the ark of God but the Levites: for them hath the Lord chosen to carry the ark of God, and to minister unto him for ever.

 

3. And David gathered all Israel together to Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the Lord unto his place, which he had prepared for it.

 

14. So the priests and the Levites sanctified themselves to bring up the ark of the Lord God of Israel.

 

15. And the children of the Levites bare the ark of God upon their shoulders with the staves thereon, as Moses commanded according to the word of the Lord.

 

16. And David spake to the chief of the Levites to appoint their brethren to be the singers with instruments of musick, psalteries and harps and cymbals, sounding, by lifting up the voice with joy.

 

25. So David, and the elders of Israel, and the captains over thousands, went to bring up the ark of the covenant of the Lord out of the house of Obededom with joy.

 

26. And it came to pass, when God helped the Levites that bare the ark of the covenant of the Lord, that they offered seven bullocks and seven rams.

 

27. And David was clothed with a robe of fine linen, and all the Levites that bare the ark, and the singers, and Chenaniah the master of the song with the singers: David also had upon him an ephod of linen.

 

28. Thus all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of the Lord with shouting, and with sound of the cornet, and with trumpets, and with cymbals, making a noise with psalteries and harps.

 

29a. And it came to pass, as the ark of the covenant of the Lord came to the city of David, that Michal the daughter of Saul looking out at a window saw king David dancing.

 

Key Verse

All Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of the Lord with shouting, and with sound of the cornet, and with trumpets, and with cymbals, making a noise with psalteries and harps.—1 Chronicles 15:28

 

Lesson Aims

 

After participating in this lesson, each learner will be able to:

 

1. Describe the steps taken by David to bring the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem.
2. Tell how taking the time to prepare for this time of worship enhanced Israel’s experience of the occasion.
3. List one specific way that he or she can better prepare for worship and make a plan to do so.

 

 

HOW TO SAY IT

Abinadab     Uh-bin-uh-dab.

Abiathar      Ah-bye-uh-thar.

Asaph   Ay-saff.

Chenaniah   Ken-uh-nee-nah.

Heman  Hay-man.

Kirjathjearim     Kir-jath-jee-uh-rim or jee-a-rim.

Levites Lee-vites.

Obed-edom O-bed-ee-dum.

Philistines   Fuh-liss-teenz or Fill-us-teenz.

Septuagint  Sep-too-ih-jent.

Uzza (h)       Uz-zuh.

Zadok   Zay-dok.

 

Introduction

 

1. “In Tents” Worship

 

Several years ago, the college where I was teaching broke ground in preparation for a new building that would house, among other things, an auditorium to be used for weekly chapel services. During the time the building was under construction, the services were held outdoors under tents that had been set up in a parking area across from the main campus. On one occasion, the school’s president commented that the worship on campus had become much more “in tents” (pun intended!).

 

1. Lesson Context

 

Four of the five lessons in this unit address David’s worship life as recorded in 1 Chronicles. The books of 1 and 2 Chronicles (treated as one book in Hebrew texts) appear to be among the final Old Testament books written, most likely in the latter half of the fifth century BC.

Though authorship is uncertain, themes and writing style suggest that the author could be Ezra. This noted scribe and teacher of God’s law ministered to the exiles who returned to Jerusalem from captivity in Babylon (Ezra 7:6, 10). However, events that took place after Ezra’s death are included in the text, making clear that even if Ezra began the work, he did not write its final words. For this reason, scholars most often refer to the writer simply as the Chronicler.

Most of the first volume covers the reign of King David over Israel from 1010 to 970 BC (1 Chronicles 10:14–29:30). Much of this is material found within other books of the Old Testament, especially 1 and 2 Samuel. So why were 1 and 2 Chronicles written? In short, because the people’s situation had changed along with their needs; they desired new histories that emphasized God’s care following the exile, a theme that was unnecessary for historians writing earlier.

Interestingly, the title of Chronicles in the old Greek version (the Septuagint) is translated “things omitted” or “things passed over.” This fact may speak to an ancient viewpoint regarding why the books were written.

By the time the books were completed, some 100 years had passed since the return of God’s people from captivity in 538 BC. The temple in Jerusalem had been rebuilt (Ezra 1:7–11; 6:13–18), and the wall around the city had been completed under Nehemiah’s leadership (Nehemiah 6:15, 16). However, many prophecies of Jerusalem’s greatness and of God’s special blessing had not been fulfilled. These included the establishment of a new covenant (Jeremiah 31:31–34) and the rise of a king reminiscent of David (Jeremiah 33:15; Ezekiel 37:24). In fact, God’s people remained under the control of Persia. Many Jews likely expressed doubt and frustration at the uncertainty of their status as a nation.

The Chronicler reassured members of the post-exilic community that they had not been abandoned and that they were very much a part of God’s sovereign plan. God required and rewarded their obedience (2 Chronicles 17:1–6; 29:1, 2; 31:20, 21; 34:1, 2, 33; contrast 1 Chronicles 21:7; 2 Chronicles 20:35–37; 32:31; 35:21–24).

The Chronicler emphasizes David’s obedience (1 Chronicles 14:2, 10, 16; 18:14; 21:19; etc.). That king’s passion for finding a proper place for the ark of the covenant, the sacred symbol of God’s presence with His covenant people, showed David’s dedication to God and His people.

The record of David’s reign focuses on the strengthening of his kingdom (1 Chronicles 11–12; 14; 18–20) and encouraging worship within it. (13:1–14; 15–17; 21–29). Of special importance to this lesson, David had already attempted to bring the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem. The ark had been placed on a cart and carried from the house of Abinadab in Kirjathjearim (a little more than 10 miles west of Jerusalem), the place where it had been kept since the time of Samuel (1 Samuel 7:1, 2).

During the joyous procession, the oxen hitched to the cart stumbled. Concerned that the ark might be damaged, a man named Uzza (spelled Uzzah in 2 Samuel 6) reached out and touched the ark to steady it. Immediately he fell dead. David’s initial reaction to the death was one of great dismay and fear (1 Chronicles 13). How, he wondered, would he ever move the ark to Jerusalem?

 

1. Preparations

(1 Chronicles 15:1–3, 14–16)

 

1. Creating a Place (v. 1)

 

1. And David made him houses in the city of David, and prepared a place for the ark of God, and pitched for it a tent.

 

The city of David is Jerusalem, which David conquered not long after becoming king (1 Chronicles 11:4–9; 14:1). Joab, leader of the army, assisted with building activity (11:6, 8). Rebuilding a captured city is standard procedure in David’s time, especially when the newly acquired city is to become the king’s new capital.

 

What Do You Think?

What are some ways to show respect for a church building without seeing it as God’s temple?

 

Digging Deeper

How do Exodus 25–27 and 1 Corinthians 3:16, 17; 6:19 help you identify principles of tabernacle maintenance that are appropriate to apply to us as temples of the Holy Spirit?

 

David intends to do more than make Jerusalem a political capital or a city for his own personal enjoyment. He desires for Jerusalem to become the residence for the ark of God in the tent that he will provide for it. The ark of the covenant was fashioned under Moses’ supervision as part of the construction of the tabernacle (Exodus 25:10–22). It represents God’s dwelling place on earth and symbolically His presence with His covenant people, Israel (Exodus 25:16–22; Leviticus 16:2; Numbers 10:35, 36; 1 Chronicles 28:2; etc.). The tent in Jerusalem is not to be confused with the tabernacle of Moses, which is apparently located at Gibeon during David’s reign (1 Chronicles 16:39; 21:29).

 

1. Carrying the Ark (vv. 2, 3, 14, 15)

 

2. Then David said, None ought to carry the ark of God but the Levites: for them hath the Lord chosen to carry the ark of God, and to minister unto him for ever.

 

When David had first attempted to bring the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem, the results were disastrous (see Lesson Context). Before a second attempt, David realized that the ark had not been carried in the manner prescribed by the Law of Moses: using poles inserted in the rings attached to the ark at the corners of its base (Exodus 25:10–16).

No text specifies that Uzza was a Levite, which likely means the ark was transported by unauthorized individuals. Only the Levites, and specifically those descended from Levi’s son Kohath, were chosen to “keep the charge of the sanctuary” (Numbers 3:32; see 3:17, 27–31; 4:1–6, 15; 7:9).

For ever in this case conveys the idea of “for all time to come until its purpose has been served.” For as long as the ark of the covenant was present and needed to be moved, only the Levites were to do so. Today, this injunction is no longer needed because of the establishment of the better, new covenant (Hebrews 7:11–28; 9:1–15; 10:11–18; contrast Revelation 11:19).

Warning!

Many product manufacturers place warning labels on merchandise to caution users not to use them improperly. This seems to be a logical precaution. But some warnings can be downright silly!

A steam iron once included the caution, “Never iron clothes on the body.” The makers of a popular brand of sunglasses thought it prudent to warn, “It is not suitable for driving under conditions of poor light.” To the true do-it-yourselfer, makers of a certain rotary tool advised, “This product is not intended for use as a dental drill.” And would you be surprised to be warned that pepper spray “may irritate eyes”?

A warning label on the ark of the covenant could have been, “Can be moved only in the manner prescribed by the Law of Moses.” This should have been as obvious to David as instructions to open a package before eating the peanuts within it! Are you ignoring any “warning labels” from God?

—J. E.

 

3. And David gathered all Israel together to Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the Lord unto his place, which he had prepared for it.

 

David repeats the steps he had taken earlier to bring up the ark to Jerusalem (1 Chronicles 13:5, 6). This time, however, the Levites alone are permitted to carry the ark. The entire nation is invited to witness this momentous event, and citizens from all 12 tribes undoubtedly are present.

First Chronicles 15:4–13 records the names of six leaders among the Levites and the number of fellow Levites under their direction who serve on this occasion. David addresses these leaders along with two priests, Zadok and Abiathar (1 Chronicles 15:11, not in today’s text). He charges them to sanctify themselves so they can carry out their God-appointed responsibility to transport the ark (15:12).

 

14. So the priests and the Levites sanctified themselves to bring up the ark of the Lord God of Israel.

 

The priests and the Levites comply with David’s directions (compare 1 Chronicles 15:12, not in today’s text). To be sanctified means to set apart someone or some object for a sacred purpose. The priests probably follow the guidelines for purification given to Moses (Exodus 19:10, 15; 29:1–37; Numbers 8:5–19). Such careful steps had not been taken the first time the ark was transported (compare 1 Chronicles 13); in fact, the focus there had been on what seemed right to the people (1 Chronicles 13:2–4).

 

What Do You Think?

How will we know when our acts of worship are pleasing to God?

 

Digging Deeper

How will our preparation for worship compare and contrast with that of the Levites?

 

15. And the children of the Levites bare the ark of God upon their shoulders with the staves thereon, as Moses commanded according to the word of the Lord.

 

This verse highlights that authorized Levites are carrying the ark (see commentary on 1 Chronicles 15:2). The ark is conveyed on the Levites’ shoulders, using staves as the Lord had said (compare Numbers 7:9). These staves are inserted into the rings at the corners of the ark so that it can be lifted and carried without touching it (Exodus 25:13–15). Those responsible for the ark fulfill their sacred duty according to what Moses commanded. Everything is done according to the word of the Lord to Moses concerning how the ark is to be moved.

 

What Do You Think?

How can churches improve the way people are appointed to various ministry roles?

 

Digging Deeper

What passages in addition to Acts 6:1–6; 14:23; 2 Corinthians 8:19; and Titus 1:5 inform your conclusion? Why?

 

1. Conducting Worship (v. 16)

 

16. And David spake to the chief of the Levites to appoint their brethren to be the singers with instruments of musick, psalteries and harps and cymbals, sounding, by lifting up the voice with joy.

 

The word chief is plural in the Hebrew text; thus David probably speaks to the six Levites named earlier (1 Chronicles 15:11). These men are to appoint their fellow Levites to lead in the worship that accompanies the ark’s journey and arrival in Jerusalem. Some will be responsible for singing songs of joy; others will accompany them using the instruments noted.

The psaltery appears to be a kind of stringed instrument. It is strummed with a pick, whereas the harp is played with the hands. Clearly, David intends this to be a festive occasion!

The verses that follow record the names of those individuals appointed for the worship duties (1 Chronicles 15:17–24, not in today’s text). Some names appear elsewhere in Scripture, most notably in connection with their authorship of certain psalms (Asaph of Psalms 50; 73–83 and Heman of Psalm 88).

 

1. Ceremony

(1 Chronicles 15:25–29a)

 

1. A Time of Joy (v. 25)

 

25. So David, and the elders of Israel, and the captains over thousands, went to bring up the ark of the covenant of the Lord out of the house of Obededom with joy.

 

The ark had been taken to the house of Obededom after the death of Uzza and remained there for three months (1 Chronicles 13:13, 14). This second, successful endeavor to move the ark includes not only the aforementioned Levites but also the elders of Israel and the military leaders of the nation. They too are to share in the joy of this special day.

 

What Do You Think?

What can you do to help ensure that your church’s worship services communicate a spirit of joy?

 

Digging Deeper

Under what circumstances, if any, should a worship service not communicate a spirit of joy? Why?

 

1. A Time to Sacrifice (v. 26)

 

26. And it came to pass, when God helped the Levites that bare the ark of the covenant of the Lord, that they offered seven bullocks and seven rams.

 

A consistent and prominent theme throughout both 1 and 2 Chronicles is that God blesses obedience and punishes disobedience (see Lesson Context). The Lord’s directions are followed in this second endeavor (see commentary on 1 Chronicles 15:2, 14, 15). Because the Levites have obeyed God, He helps them. This point provides a stark contrast of the present effort with the failed first attempt.

Visual for Lesson 1. Point to this visual as you ask how a shout or other verbal expression reveals the joy that worship can spark in our hearts.

Once the ark has been placed in the tent provided for it in Jerusalem, “burnt sacrifices and peace offerings” are to be offered there (1 Chronicles 16:1; compare 2 Samuel 6:13). The sacrifices likely are meant to express the Levites’ gratitude for the Lord’s help and for allowing them to be part of this sacred procession.

 

What Do You Think?

What one or two procedures can your church implement to convey that the offering time is itself a significant act of corporate worship?

 

Digging Deeper

What’s the single most important thing your church can do to honor both monetary and nonmonetary sacrifices appropriately?

 

1. A Time to Worship (vv. 27–29a)

 

27. And David was clothed with a robe of fine linen, and all the Levites that bare the ark, and the singers, and Chenaniah the master of the song with the singers: David also had upon him an ephod of linen.

 

David has no intention of being a mere spectator for this event. He desires to express his own joy on this occasion. He dresses not in royal garments but instead in clothes like the Levites and singers. The Levite Chenaniah leads the singing because of his great skill (compare 1 Chronicles 15:22).

David wears a robe of fine linen and an ephod of linen, which are both associated with the priesthood (Exodus 39:27–29; 1 Samuel 2:18; 22:18). This ephod is a vest or apron-like garment worn over the chest. The high priest wears a special kind of ephod (Exodus 28:15–30), though a more generic ephod is not forbidden to the general population.

David’s choice of clothing suggests that he views himself as fulfilling a priestly rather than political or military role. Some see King David’s being dressed in priestly attire as foreshadowing the greater Son of David, who will combine the roles of priest and king (compare Genesis 14:18 and Hebrews 5:6).

Riding High

We often speak of degrees of power in terms of elevation: upper management, higher authority, the top dog, etc. Throughout history, these figurative designations became very literal when transporting an important ruler. A litter was basically a seat attached to poles. The poles rested on the shoulders of servants.

In ancient India, this type of vehicle was called a palanquin. The palanquins of rulers were rectangular wooden boxes. Their windows and doors were screened by curtains or shutters, and their interiors were lavishly furnished and ornamented. In Korea, similar litters were called gamas. This type of royal transport was enthusiastically adopted by European rulers and is often known as a sedan chair.

In Egypt, the people of Israel may have seen the pharaohs carried in such an elevated fashion. They would have recognized the imagery of the Levites bearing the ark of the covenant on their shoulders. They transported the very throne of the true king of Israel, Yahweh himself. How do you lift God up as your true king?

—J. E.

 

28. Thus all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of the Lord with shouting, and with sound of the cornet, and with trumpets, and with cymbals, making a noise with psalteries and harps.

 

A similar description accompanied the first attempt to transport the ark (1 Chronicles 13:8). Unlike that trip, this occasion does not dissolve into fear but continues in a vein of praise and thanksgiving to the Lord. All Israel joins with the leaders already listed in a show of unified worship to the Lord.

 

29a. And it came to pass, as the ark of the covenant of the Lord came to the city of David, that Michal the daughter of Saul looking out at a window saw king David dancing.

 

There is, however, one exception to the rejoicing that fills the day’s activities. Michal the daughter of Saul has opted not to attend the festivities; her choice is to be a bystander, watching all the proceedings from her window.

Michal is David’s wife (1 Samuel 18:27), but she is not referred to that way here. The designation as daughter of Saul associates her more closely with her father’s faithlessness than with her husband’s faithfulness (compare 1 Samuel 15:10, 11; 19:11–16). King Saul, David’s predecessor, had shown little interest in the ark of the covenant. Only once did Saul pay any attention to it, and in that case he treated it merely as an object to consult during a time of war (1 Samuel 14:16–23; compare chapter 4). Saul seemed oblivious to its spiritual significance.

Saul clearly did not have the passion for spiritual matters that David possesses (1 Chronicles 10:13, 14). David commented on Saul’s neglect during the first effort to carry the ark to Jerusalem (13:3). It appears that the same level of apathy is shared by his daughter. Her attitude is a clear contrast to David’s enthusiastic dancing as an expression of his worship.

 

Conclusion

 

1. Intent on Worship

 

King David fulfilled his “in-tent” to establish a place for the ark of the covenant in Jerusalem. The ceremony during which the ark was carried to its new home was an occasion of great celebration and worship in which David himself participated with enthusiasm. The experience was indeed intense!

A significant amount of preparation went into finally bringing the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem. This task was not handled in a shoddy, careless manner. David’s concern for conveying the ark properly brings to mind Paul’s admonition to the Corinthians that their worship “be done decently and in order” (1 Corinthians 14:40). David made sure the Levites carried the ark in the manner prescribed by the Law of Moses. The king also appointed individuals to supervise the various expressions of worship that would accompany bringing the ark into the city. Such a sacred object, and more importantly the God whose presence it represented, deserved the utmost care.

We do not have an ark or other sacred object to carry to a designated place. However, the New Testament indicates that Christians are sacred objects because God’s Spirit dwells among us (1 Corinthians 3:16). So, what can we do to prepare our temples for worship (6:19, 20)? How can we prepare to bring our best to God when we gather for worship? What can we do to foster a frame of mind that contributes to worship instead of distracting from it? The old adage, “You get out of something what you put into it” applies to worship. How much do we really “put into” worship?

 

1. Prayer

 

Father, as temples of Your Holy Spirit, may we worship and draw others to worship You through even the most mundane tasks that we carry out. May every day thus become a day of worship. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

 

1. Thought to Remember

Our weekly worship should not be entered into weakly.

 

 

 

 

KID’S CORNER

The Suffering Humanity of Jesus

Sunday, December 1, 2019

John 4:1-9

 

John 4:1-9

(John 4:1) Therefore when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John

Jesus’ disciples began baptizing and making more disciples of Jesus than John’s disciples were making of John. Therefore, the Pharisees decided they wanted to examine Jesus and His reasons for His disciples baptizing people as they had examined John. Notice: the Pharisees had no interest in repenting of their sins, being baptized, and preparing themselves to follow the Messiah. Their interest was whether the Jews and religious teachers were conforming their lives and their teachings to Pharisaic traditions and interpretations of the Law. If they had asked Jesus directly, “Are you the Messiah?”, as they had asked John, that would have led to an unproductive time of Pharisaic debate that Jesus did not intend at that time to waste anyone’s time pursuing. [Remember: Jesus had just recently cleansed the temple in Jerusalem, and that would have raised even more questions for the Pharisees to waste Jesus’ time pursuing.] Jesus knew what was in every person, and He knew that at times we need to turn from working with the unteachable to reaching the teachable. Later, when Jesus was in Jerusalem again and it was very dangerous for Him, He did discuss the Scriptures and the Pharisaic traditions with the Pharisees, and in Matthew 23:13, Jesus told the Pharisees directly, “But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you lock people out of the kingdom of heaven. For you do not go in yourselves, and when others are going in, you stop them.” Jesus knew the Pharisees would come to see Him in Judea near the Jordan River to talk to Him and His disciples about baptism, but they were not interested in coming into the kingdom of heaven. With their false teachings and arguments, they would have used the opportunity to try and lock some of Jesus’ disciples out of the kingdom of heaven. Jesus chose the time and place for everything, and His followers can do the same when given a choice among options. Why choose fruitless debate, exposing new believers to the tricks of unbelievers, and wasting time in other matters of needless controversy?

(John 4:2) (although Jesus Himself was not baptizing, but His disciples were),

Here John clarifies that Jesus did not baptize, not because baptism was not important or necessary but because Jesus knew that some would make it a matter of prideful boasting to claim that Jesus himself had baptized them. Furthermore, so many were coming that some people would have waited for Jesus to baptize them instead of one of His disciples, and this would have wasted everyone’s valuable time. Some would have had Jesus baptize them without repenting and seriously seeking the truths of God, but only to claim superiority over others because Jesus had baptized them. Jesus taught the truth and challenged His listeners to obey His teachings: one of His teachings was that believers repent of their sins and receive baptism by one of His disciples instead of Him. In 1 Corinthians 1, Paul wrote about a controversy regarding baptism, a needless controversy that Jesus prevented when He did not baptize believers.

(John 4:3) He left Judea and went away again into Galilee.

The distance from the northern border of Galilee to the southern border of Judea was about 120 miles. Samaria was directly North of Judea and directly South of Galilee. When Jesus left Judea for Galilee, two well-travelled paths lay before Him. He could have crossed over to the East side of the Jordan River and travelled along the river to Galilee and then crossed the Jordan into Galilee on His way to Cana in Galilee where He healed the son of a royal official (see John 4:46-54). This route was widely travelled because the Jews hated to travel through Samaria, and the Samaritans likewise resented the Jews travelling through Samaria. Most Jews only took the route through Samaria when the shorter distance and speed of travel were important.

(John 4:4) And He had to pass through Samaria.

Why did Jesus “have to go” through Samaria? First, it was His Father’s will. The Father intended to draw a Samaritan woman to faith in Jesus Christ and lead many in the city where she lived to faith in His Son as the Messiah. Jesus went with perfect timing. Early in Jesus’ ministry, God wanted to show everyone that Jesus Christ came to save people from every race, not just the Jews. Second, the son of a royal official was sick and needed to be healed, and another sign needed to be given by Jesus at that time. God wanted to show everyone that Jesus Christ came to save the rich and poor, not just the rich or just the poor—Jesus even came to save Romans. Perhaps more importantly, in the short time Jesus had for public ministry (about three years), Jesus needed to minister to the most people He possibly could help as quickly as possible in the best and most wise ways possible, but at the same time “one person at a time,” when we think of Nicodemus, the Samaritan woman, and the son of the royal official as examples. Perhaps as we pray and think of what God wants us to do as followers of Jesus Christ, we can think of why Jesus had to go through Samaria and the possible priorities and principles that moved Jesus to go through Samaria despite the difficulties.

(John 4:5) So He *came to a city of Samaria called Sychar, near the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph;

Why did the Samaritans and the Jews despise or hate one another? The Samaritans origins went back to about 722 BC when the Assyrians destroyed the Northern Kingdom of Israel and deported most of the Israelites into other countries they had conquered. These ten tribes of Israel became known as the Ten Lost Tribes of Israel. Then, the Assyrians imported a variety of other nationalities and races into the area formerly occupied by the ten tribes of Israel. These people eventually intermarried with the Israelites who remained in the area (contrary to the Law of God). The Samaritans then became a mixed race. In 587 or 586 BC, the Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem and the temple and led exiles from the tribes of Benjamin and Judah, the former Southern Kingdom of Judah, into exile in Babylon. These two tribes did not lose their identity as Jews, and some of them returned to Judea 70 years later, and under the leadership of Ezra and Nehemiah they rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem and the temple. When the Samaritans came to offer their help, the Jews rejected them. Therefore, the Samaritans eventually built their own temple on Mt. Gerizim and argued that it was the real temple. In about 112 BC, John Hyrcanus of the Hasmonean Dynasty in Judea, destroyed the temple on Mt. Gerizim. So, in the time of Jesus, hatred and resentment between Samaritans and Jews had been festering for hundreds of years. Sychar was a Samaritan city in the former Kingdom of Israel near where Jacob dug a well, bought the land, gave the land to Joseph, and where Joseph was buried. Jacob’s well is in a valley with Mt. Gerizim on one side and Mt. Ebal on the other. Both mountains could be easily seen and recognized from Jacob’s well.

(John 4:6) and Jacob’s well was there. So Jesus, being wearied from His journey, was sitting thus by the well. It was about the sixth hour.

Jesus is the only Person who is fully God and fully human. After much emphasis on the abilities of Jesus to perform signs as the Son of God, John reveals more about Jesus’ humanity. Jesus suffered real tiredness, hunger, and thirst as a human being, but Jesus did not use His powers as the Son of God to relieve His personal suffering or meet His personal needs. Jesus suffered from the heat as anyone would from the blazing noonday sun. Jesus suffered thirst from a long, hot, tiring walk to Jacob’s well, but without a bucket or other device near the well or without any remaining human strength to draw water from the well using a nearby bucket, Jesus had to wait for someone to help Him get a refreshing drink of water. In exhaustion, Jesus was sitting by the well and waiting for water and the food His disciples would bring Him. Fully human and fully God, Jesus could have created loaves of fresh baked bread out of thin air to satisfy His hunger and make a water fountain out of Jacob’s well for himself and the whole city, but the devil had tempted Jesus to use His powers as the Son of God, and Jesus refused to use His powers in His own self-interest—to do so would have been a sin for Him and would have invalidated His true suffering and death on the cross for our salvation (See Matthew 4:1-11). The Gospel of John gives a glimpse of what it meant for Jesus to live fully as a human and always reject the devil’s temptations to selfishly help himself in ways that God has not given human beings the power to do.

(John 4:7) There *came a woman of Samaria to draw water. Jesus *said to her, “Give Me a drink.”

As we will learn from further study, this Samaritan woman was not only a Samaritan (despised by the Jews) and a woman (according to the Pharisees and some Rabbis, being seen with a woman in pubic should be avoided at all costs), but she was also a woman who lived a life of sin. She was a woman who was disobeying God, and who the religious authorities, the women of the city, and many men would have despised. A Jewish rabbi or a Pharisee would certainly have avoided any contact with her no matter how thirsty they were. But, when Jesus saw her come to the well to draw water, he asked her plainly, “Give me a drink.” Jesus explained in Luke 19:10, “For the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost,” and for this reason among others, Jesus had to go through Samaria to save this woman. In Jesus, we see the depth, the breadth, the length, the width, and the height of God’s love for everyone. The Apostle Peter learned this lesson well, and in 2 Peter 3:9, he wrote, “The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance.” Yet, we know, some insist on perishing.

(John 4:8) For His disciples had gone away into the city to buy food.

From this verse we learn how much Jesus had taught His disciples by example and word how to live without racial prejudice and how to respond when facing a person who expressed racial prejudice. Their demeanor should have shown all they met in Samaria that they were not prejudiced against them, but prejudice can run deep both ways; so, the disciples had to be prepared to respond with the love of Jesus toward any who attacked them verbally or physically. John does not tell us how the people of the city responded to the disciples; perhaps all went well, and the disciples’ attitude may have prepared some of the people to go to the well later and see Jesus after they heard the woman’s testimony. Note: the disciples never expected Jesus to work a miracle to meet their needs (they went shopping), but Jesus did work a miracle for them one morning after a long night of fishing when they had caught nothing and were hungry (see John 21:1-14). It was not unexpected for Jesus to tell His disciples to go and buy some bread when they were hungry. For good reasons, to meet the real hunger of others, Jesus did feed large crowds and His disciples with a few loaves and fishes, but He refused to work miracles to meet His own real human needs.

(John 4:9) Therefore the Samaritan woman *said to Him, “How is it that You, being a Jew, ask me for a drink since I am a Samaritan woman?” (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.)

In a few words, the Samaritan woman summed up what we have learned so far. A Jew would never ask a Samaritan for a drink. A Jew would never talk to or ask a woman for a drink in public; unless that woman was a part of their own family. A Jew would never drink out of a pitcher or a bucket that a Samaritan used, for it would have been unclean. The hostility between Jews and Samaritans was so deep that they would never share anything for any reason. To Jesus’ question, a Samaritan would just as likely have said “No” to a Jew as a Jew would have said “No” to a Samaritan. When Jesus asked her for a drink, Jesus was breaking all the Jewish traditions and ignoring the long-held animosity between Jews and Samaritans; therefore, this Samaritan woman expressed her shock even though she must have seen how thirsty Jesus was—thirsty enough to ask her for a drink.

 

The Suffering Humanity of Jesus

Sunday, December 1, 2019

John 4:1-9

 

Now Jacob’s well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour (John 4:6—KJV). And Jacob’s well was there. So Jesus, being wearied from His journey, was sitting thus by the well. It was about the sixth hour (John 4:6—NASB).

Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired out by his journey, was sitting by the well. It was about noon (John 4:6—NRSV). In the first three chapters of the Gospel of John, we learn that Jesus is the Son of God, the Word of God, and the Lamb of God. Beginning with the fourth chapter of John, we learn what John meant when he wrote that the Word became flesh and lived among us (John 1:14). Since Jesus came in human flesh, Jesus could get tired, thirsty, and hungry. However, as fully human, Jesus refused to use His divine powers to meet His personal needs. When the devil tempted Jesus forty days in the wilderness and Jesus was hungry, the devil tempted Jesus to change stones into bread (the devil knew Jesus had the power to do so), but Jesus replied, “It is written, ‘One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God’” (Matthew 4:4). For this reason, among others, Jesus sent His disciples into a Samaritan village to buy food. While sitting by Jacob’s well, a Samaritan woman came to draw water. As the Son of God, Jesus could have really impressed her that He is the Son of God by changing Jacob’s well into a flowing fountain and creating irrigation ditches so no one would need to draw water from the well again. Instead, to meet His human needs, Jesus asked her for a drink of water, which surprised the woman because Jews would not make themselves ritually unclean by sharing a container of water with a Samaritan. From these examples, we know Jesus suffered real excruciating human pain as He died on the cross as a sacrifice for our sins.

 

Thinking Further

The Suffering Humanity of Jesus

Sunday, December 1, 2019

John 4:1-9

Name________________________________________

 

1. Why do you think Jesus did not want to talk to the Pharisees who had heard that He was baptizing more disciples than John the Baptist?

 

 

2. Why do you think Jesus had to go through Samaria?

 

 

3. What was important about the place where Jesus rested?

 

 

4. How did John describe the fact that Jesus is fully human and fully divine?

 

 

5. Why was the woman surprised when Jesus asked her for a drink?

 

 

Discussion and Thinking Further

 

1. Why do you think Jesus did not want to talk to the Pharisees who had heard that He was baptizing more disciples than John the Baptist? Jesus knew there was a time and place for everything, and His Father had more important work for Him to do than argue with some Pharisees who had no interest in learning the truth, repenting of their sins, and being baptized. They just wanted to ask Jesus questions like those they asked John the Baptist. Later, in Jerusalem, Jesus did debate with the Pharisees.
2. Why do you think Jesus had to go through Samaria? Jesus could have travelled around Samaria to go to Galilee. Going through Samaria was quicker and shorter. Jesus travelled through Samaria to teach His disciples what He expected of them as His disciples relative to the Samaritans. Jesus and His Father knew that in Samaria at that time They could save a Samaritan woman and a whole city, people who would believe in Jesus the Messiah, unlike some contentious Pharisees in Judea.
3. What was important about the place where Jesus rested? Jacob had bought some land there; he had dug a well there; he had given the land to Joseph; Joseph was buried there. [A Samaritan woman would meet Jesus there and come to believe that He was the Messiah and lead her home city to believe in Jesus too.]
4. How did John describe the fact that Jesus is fully human and fully divine? Earlier in John chapters 1-3, John described many aspects of Jesus’ character and nature, even quoting Jesus, that showed He is fully divine. In chapter 4, John described Jesus in way that show Jesus is fully human. After a long walk Jesus was tired. Jesus was thirsty, but He needed the woman to give Him a drink. Jesus could have worked a miracle, but when He was tempted in the wilderness by the devil, He showed that He would not use miracles to meet His own personal needs. It would have taken a miracle for Jesus to get a drink from Jacob’s well apart from the help of someone else. Jesus did not work a miracle to provide food for himself; rather, He sent the disciples into the city to buy food. All these efforts and dependencies are very naturally human, which people who are fully human do and experience. Later, Jesus suffered real pains when dying on a cross.
5. Why was the woman surprised when Jesus asked her for a drink? She said Samaritans and Jews will not share things in common. Jesus would need to share a bucket or pitcher with her, and the Jews would have considered using a bucket or pitcher of a Samaritan unclean and defiling.

Word Search

The Suffering Humanity of Jesus

Sunday, December 1, 2019

John 4:1-9

Name _____________________________________

 

A F Z S H F D H P R L A H W U

N Y D M E R L I O J E S U S M

B R U F I M T S Y D O D B L G

F T W N B F G I U L W G Z M R

S G K O H D P J D E O H V X G

F Y C M J O S E P H M P S N S

N A C X L T U E L T A B R E J

J U Y H V X F E E M N Y L P Q

L O W E A S O A E S J P I J N

Z A B X P R I X W L I E W X Z

Y L N T E R A H S C I R S C R

F L J O A B D E S J Z L A U F

P E X M Y W G I A E G S A H S

G W A O D X D C J W N Q D G P

Y S U G N I Z I T P A B S Z M

 

Pharisees

Baptizing

Disciples

Judea

Galilee

Samaria

Sychar

Jacob

Joseph

Well

Jesus

Woman

Drink

Jew

Share

 

 

 

True andFalseTest

The Suffering Humanity of Jesus

Sunday, December 1, 2019

John 4:1-9

Name _______________________________________

 

Circle the True or False answers. Correct the False statements by restating them.

1. When the Pharisees heard Jesus was baptizing more people than John the Baptist, they rushed to have Jesus baptize them too. True or False
2. More people lined up for Jesus to baptize them than lined up for all His disciples combined, so they felt depressed and disappointed. True or False
3. Jesus left Judea for Galilee because He was afraid of the Sadducees. True or False
4. Many Jews did not want to travel to and from Galilee and Judea by going through Samaria. True or False
5. Jesus had good reasons to go through Samaria instead of around Samaria on His way to Galilee. True or False
6. Jesus stopped and sat by Jacob’s well because He was tired out from His journey. True or False
7. To honor Jacob, the residents of Sychar dug a well and dedicated it in memory of Jacob and Joseph. True or False
8. A Samaritan woman travelled a great distance to Jacob’s well because it had more vitamins than the well near her home. True or False
9. Jesus asked the Samaritan woman for a drink and she was surprised that He would ask a woman of Samaria for a drink because Jesus was a Jew. True or False
10. The Jews would have considered it a ritually unclean act for them to drink from a bucket or a pitcher used by a Samaritan. True or False

 

True and False Test Answers

1. False
2. False
3. False
4. True
5. True
6. True
7. False
8. False
9. True
10. True

 

 

Prayer

Father, as temples of Your Holy Spirit, may we worship and draw others to worship You through even the most mundane tasks that we carry out. May every day thus become a day of worship. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.