The Rest is History

So he came to a Samaritan city called Sychar . . .  Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired out by his journey, was sitting by the well. It was about noon. – John 4:5-6 (NRSV) 

Are you tired yet? We’re almost halfway through Lent with its extra study groups, worship services, and outreach programs. The spiritual journey itself can be exhausting as Lent moves closer to Jerusalem and the end we know is coming.  

So, are you tired yet?  

If so, you’re in good company. Early in his journey—only four chapters into John’s Gospel—Jesus was tired, too. He was on his way back from Judea to Galilee. He’d already overturned the temple money changers and was baptizing more people than John, which meant more trouble with the religious leaders. Now he was in the hostile territory of Samaria. No wonder he was tired.  

So he sat down by the well to rest. A rest, you could say, that became history. His pitstop turned into a conversation with a woman came alone to the well at midday. Jesus asked her for a drink, which led to a conversation about living water, after which she went to tell the townspeople what had happened at the well. 

But first, Jesus rested. Why not do the same for a while? 

Prayer
Thank you, God, for the reminder that the journey can tire us out, just as it did Jesus. Thank you for the gift of rest. Give us the wisdom to accept it. Amen.

About the Author
Talitha Arnold is Senior Minister of the United Church of Santa Fe (UCC), Santa Fe, New Mexico. She is the author of Mark Parts 1 and 2 of the Listen Up! Bible Study series and Worship for Vital Congregations.