The Woman at the Well

I participate in a men's Bible study on Wednesday mornings and have really been blessed by the direct-from-the-Word teaching that our leader presents each week. Since we started in February of this year up till now, God has encouraged us to trust Him, obey Him, and share our faith in God with others. Our leader's plea to us is to read God's Word, pray for the understanding as to what it says and means, and ask for specific application to our lives and the ability through Christ to walk in it.

Our first study was on the book of Jonah; I'll relate what God is doing through that study in a different post. Today I wanted to share the joy I found in John 4:1-42. Before we jump into that, God's purpose for the Gospel of John can be found in Chapter 20, verses 30 and 31:

30 And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book:
31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

John 4:1-42 relates the facts of Jesus' visit to Samaria on his way to Galilee and his conversation with the Samaritan woman at the well. The joy found in this passage was in the compassion that Jesus had for this woman of low estate.

First, she was a Samaritan, which the Jews considered as second class citizens, outside of God's chosen people for their mixing with non-Israelite people.

Second, she was a woman, which for the patriarchal society of the day (including Samaria) was the lesser of the genders.

Third, she was a practicing adulteress, having been married five times and living with a man who was not her husband, and by law should have been stoned to death.

Rather than going to the elite of Jewish society (the Pharisees), he went to the base. He chose to reveal that He is the Messiah to the Samaritan adulteress. She knew a Messiah would come, she was waiting for Him, and knew He would tell her all things.

Jesus fulfilled all of those things; as a result, she was convicted of her unrighteousness . She, in turn, witnessed to her friends and family -- 'He told me everything ever I did'. Some of them believed on Christ simply from her testimony; others, seeking Him themselves, believed when they heard His words.

The part that really got to my heart (and brought me joy) was when they 'besought' (implored) Him to tarry with them, He abode there for two more days!!! He said YES!

Every time I ask a family to stay for dinner, and they consent, I experience that same joy. Of course, as often as I get a 'Yes', I get a 'No, we have prior obligations, definitely another time'; I experience some disappointment, but also understanding, and hope for the future meeting.

Even when we do get to fellowship, there comes the time of parting that seems sorrowful for the moment (a quote from Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet comes to mind: Parting is such sweet sorrow. That I shall say good night till it be morrow). My joy is constant, however, for someday we will never have to say goodbye.

I'm sure that the Samaritans felt the sorrow intermingled with the joy that came from the promises and hope He left them -- "I will never leave you or forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5) and "Wherever two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them" (Matthew 18:20).

I can't help but see the connection to the parable Jesus used as an analogy about God (Luke 14). There was a man who planned a great feast. When it was ready, he sent his servant to call those who were invited to come. One after another, they made excuses why they chose not to come. When the man learned of this, he sent his servant out to the streets and lanes of the city to bring in the poor, maimed, halt, and blind. There was still more room, so he sent his servant to go into the highways and hedges and compel them to come in. The ones who were originally invited but rejected his call were no longer welcome.

It isn't as much that Jesus is a champion of those of low estate (unrighteous), since we are all unrighteous (Romans 3:10); rather, those who considered themselves of high estate (self righteous) chose not to come. Jesus also said that He came not for the well (self-righteous again), but for the sick (those aware of their unrighteousness) (Mark 2:17)

How do I know I am well? With what standard, other than myself or others, can I compare myself to consider myself that way? Certainly when I compare myself to God, and thus His laws, I have to conclude that I'm sick. Once I learned of God and His Law, I am culpable (accountable) (Romans 7:7). I have to either choose to acknowledge that I'm a sinner or bold-facedly deny the Law (and God!). Read Romans 1:20-32 to see that road and its inevitable conclusion.

I rejoice along with Paul in Romans 7:24,25:

24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

The Character Quality of Joyfulness

This past January the Lord has led me to start a father-son group called Contenders for the Faith, which comes from Keepers of the Faith ministries (http://www.keepersofthefaith.com). The boys vary in age from 8 years old to 16 years old. I liken the group to a cross between Awana Clubs and Boy Scouts. The boys are challenged to study and memorize Scripture and learn and practice leadership, service, and practical skills. The group helps the fathers and their sons with accountability, recitation of memorized passages, and teaching them new skills that they get to practice. I've made the study of Godly character qualities a part of the group meeting; each week I presented a different character quality from the Operational Definitions of Character Qualities chart (source: S.M. Davis -- http://www.solvefamilyproblems.org). The general structure of the presentation of a character quality contained the dictionary definition, the operational definition from S.M. Davis, a list of related Bible verses, a few questions to ask the boys, and a brief essay.

How does that apply to "Where's Your Joy?", you ask. One of the character qualities that I presented was 'Joyfulness' and without further ado, here is my presentation:

Dictionary Definition for 'Joyfulness' (source: Webster’s Dictionary): experiencing, causing, or showing joy.

Dictionary Definition for 'Joy' (source: Webster’s Dictionary): the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires; a state of happiness or felicity; a source or cause of delight;

Operational Definition (Source: S.M. Davis): (vs. Self-Pity) The spontaneous enthusiasm of my spirit when my soul is in fellowship with God.

Bible Verses:

Proverbs 15:13 – A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.

Psalm 16:11 – Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

Proverbs 23:24 – The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him.

John 15:11 – These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

Acts 20:24 – But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

Galatians 5:22,23 –

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Hebrews 12:2 – Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

James 1:2,3 –

2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;

3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

Questions:

1. In your own words, what is the difference between joy and happiness?
2. How does your fellowship with God affect your joy? How does joy affect your fellowship with others?
3. As a disciple of Jesus Christ, should we always have joy? If we say no, what does that say about the sufficiency and promises of God that we have in Christ Jesus? If we say yes, what is expected about our attitudes, behaviors, and words?

Discussion:

Old Testament Hebrew

(from http://bible.crosswalk.com/Lexicons/OldTestamentHebrew/) :

'Simchah' [ from 'Sameach' [from 'Samach']] – joyfulness, God’s joy, merry, to be glad

New Testament Greek

(from http://bible.crosswalk.com/Lexicons/Greek/):

'Agalliasis' – external display of gladness that comes from within, like a spring of water.

'Euphrosune' – gladness that comes from without; for example, “You bring me joy”.

'Chara' [from 'Chairo'] – mental attitude of joy; gladness that comes by choice, to rejoice.

Psalms 36:9 says “For with thee (God) is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light.” From where we are (light or darkness), we take on and display attitudes, emotions, speak words, and do actions. I John 1:7 says “But if we walk in the light, as he (Jesus) is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” As Christians, the joy of the Lord is a fruit of the Holy Spirit that comes from fellowship with our Father God. However, our fellowship with God can be affected by sin, (which comes from not walking in the light) and produces wrong attitudes, emotions, words, and actions. Our choice to sin, which includes denying the sufficiency of Christ to satisfy out needs, hinders the growth of joy in our lives; on the other hand, a sign of our growth in Christ is the increase of joy in our lives regardless of our circumstances. Let’s remember Jesus’ words in John 15:5, “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing”, and pray that He keeps us walking in the light, choosing to rely on His strength, and do all for His glory with exceeding joy.

The Purpose of 'Where's Your Joy?' Weblog

I'm going to start with a disclaimer. I'm not new to blogs, but I'm new to having one of my own. I'm a frequent lurker and not-as-frequent commenter on other blogs, but now I'm venturing out into posting various articles or things I'd personally like to remember. Knowing that once published, words are difficult to retract, especially in the blogosphere, I pray that I use wisdom and am really led by the Holy Spirit rather than my own foolish pride.

So, let's answer the question, "Why did you call your web log 'Where's Your Joy'?" The history of that comes from my increasing, albeit slowly, understanding about the joy that comes from Jesus Christ, from knowing Him, and abiding in Him (John 15). There's so much I would like to say here on that subject, but I will defer that to a future article.

A good friend and pastor of mine always talks about the joy of the Lord (my first choice for the name of my blog was "The Joy of the Lord", but it was taken). He would ask us men who met for prayer once a month, "Where's your joy?" By that, he referred to James 1:3 "My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;"

His question contained more questions: Were we depending on our circumstances wherein our happiness goes up and down like a yo-yo, or are we depending on the solid rock which is Christ, and where our joy comes from? Sure, we can be loving to our wives and a great father to our children and generous to strangers when things go our way; but what about when they don't?

What if your youngest child throws up in the back of the church as you're getting ready to lead the congregation in worship? What if your oldest child can't find shoes, socks, and belts for himself on a Sunday morning and he's ten years old? What if you have a headache, the bills are piling up, there's no money in the bank, your middle child has poops in his underwear and all over himself and he's been potty-trained for a year?

These (and more) have happened to me in the last month, and, although I hate to admit it, I have not responded completely with joy. Thanks be to Jesus Christ, it is no longer I that liveth, but Christ that liveth in me, and through Him, I can actually succeed.

This past Easter Sunday, my pastor's sermon was on the Sovereignty of God, particularly related to the suffering, death, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. God planned everything from the beginning. There is no resistance of His will. This is a difficult doctrine to comprehend from our finiteness, but that's why God is God and we're not.

That same Sunday, my wife's friend died at 32 years of age from an acute asthma attack, leaving behind her husband and four children. She is a Christian and now in the presence of the Lord; her husband was not, and is now dealing with the grief and pain.

A friend of mine's former pastor's mother-in-law died in a car accident recently. She is a Christian also, so although there is grief, there is also hope.

Another friend of mine found out this week that the lump under his tongue is malignant cancer. He is also a Christian.

It may seem insensitive to ask them "Where's Your Joy?"; on the other hand, with the exception of the non-Christian husband who lost his wife, all Christians must continue in the joy of the Lord regardless of their circumstances. This is not to dismiss grief -- even Jesus wept when he came to the tomb of Lazarus. However, he did not weep as one who had no hope, yet he felt our sorrow.

I will continue to encourage my friends and family, to be there for them and minister to their needs, and weep with them. But having the joy of the Lord in me, I can also lift up their heads, support their weary arms, and bear their burdens (as Jesus does mine) and ask them "Where's your Joy? Here He is; Christ, our Lord. Come, let us worship Him together!"