2 Kings 17:24-41
Assyria Resettles Samaria

Pastor Dave surprised us all with his first title slide:
John 4:4-42
Jesus the Savior Pursues Samaria
He was making the point that the Bible is one big story of God’s redemptive plan, which is illustrated by His dealings with the Samaritans.

After centuries of disobedience and idolatry, after generations of Jews refused to heed the warnings of prophets sent by God, He removed the Northern Kingdom of Israel from His presence. A large portion of the population went into exile, never to return, and the conquering Assyrians replaced them with pagans from many nations. God gave these pagans the opportunity to learn about Him and respond to Him using lions (v25) and an unauthorized Jewish priest (v27)* as unlikely conduits. But instead of abandoning their idols and fearing Yahweh only, they simply added Him to their pantheon. Thus, Samaria remained home to idolators – some with a Jewish background and many with a pagan background. If any group of people was disqualified from God’s mercy and grace, if anyone was unworthy of another chance, the Samaritans were those people.

But the story of God’s redemptive plan doesn’t end there. Some 750 years later, God the Father sent His Son … to Samaria, of all places. Chapter 4 of John’s gospel records Jesus’ conversation at a well with a Samaritan woman whose checkered past made her an outcast among her own people. He offers her living water and reveals that he is the Messiah. Her excited testimony about Jesus brings a rush of Samaritan townspeople out to see and hear Jesus, and many believe. Those who appeared to be vessels of wrath (and rightfully so) became vessels of mercy.

This is a busy week for many. Nevertheless, take time to bow before the Lord and praise Him for His grace and mercy, for the long arc of His redemptive plan across human history.

Dave stressed that the foundation of saving faith is not education or words. What brings a person to faith is not intellectual ability or hearing the gospel explained in just the right words. Rather, it is the work of the Holy Spirit. As you pray for someone in your life who is not a believer, ask the Holy Spirit to draw and enlighten him or her. Asking God to give you the perfect opportunity to share or to put just the right words in your mouth is secondary.

The story of the Samaritan woman reminds us that the gospel is not just for respectable people. It is also for outcasts and dysfunctional people who have made a shamble of their lives. Even when we acknowledge that truth, we must also face the fact that ministering to such people often requires a sacrificial investment of time and resources. Pray that Calvary would be a church that reaches out with grace and generosity to Samaritans.

* 1 Kings 12:31

Calvary Family

I am praying that you and yours will enjoy a meaningful and joyous Thanksgiving Day this week. To many in the culture around us, it is Turkey Day or NFL Football Day or Black Friday Eve. If our neighbors feel at all thankful, they don’t know whom to thank. May we be a light to others as we thank the one true God who provides so generously for all our needs. I hope to see you at the Thanksgiving Eve service tomorrow evening!

In Christ,
Carol Gilbert

P.S. There will be no prayer blog next week. Check your inbox on December 9.