How frequently the Lord would stop people who wanted to start a “theological” conversation with Him. They ask, “Will those who are saved be few?” and the Lord replies, “Strive to enter by the narrow door” (Luke 13:23-24).
Again, with the Samaritan woman who is surprised when the Lord asks her for water, and explains her surprise, “For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans” (John 4:9), Jesus cuts short her comments on the relations between the religious communities with the command, “Go, call your husband” (John 4:16).
In a moment He leads the conversation into the field of personal life, of true theology. In every case He is interested in the person, not in theological discussion as an isolated occupation remaining out of touch with life and with the very person who is speaking.
“I seek not what is yours, but you”
(2 Corinthians 12:14), says Paul; I seek the person and his salvation. And theology seeks the person and his salvation. Therefore, while the Jews of Christ's day were so eager for theological discussions, He let them go unanswered; “But He was silent.” For He did not come to discuss, He came to seek out and save the one that had gone astray (Matthew 18:11).
— Archimandrite Vasileios, Hymn of Entry, pp. 32-33
Amen to brother Vasileios, and to you for quoting him.
ReplyDeleteIt is interesting that you would put this up, seeing that I read the story of Christ and the woman at the well just this morning in my Greek New Testament at work. And in that, many believed in the testimony of the woman, that Mashiach was present with her at the well, all the while the disciples were away, searching for food.
So it is ironic. The disciples, who had close proximity with the Lord, chose instead to worry about food, and departed from him in search of it. While they were gone, Christ relayed the Truth to the woman (this is the food He had from elsewhere, to do the will of the Father), who in turn believed and then went to the towns to tell the people. She ended up being the disciple who spread the truth about Him, and her witness brought more people, who in turn believed because they heard Him for themselves. They then invited Christ to stay with them for two more days.
So this woman, because of her faithful witness, sowed much. And as Christ said after the disciples returned with food, others had done the sowing (the woman) and they (the disciples) were to reap the havest, entering into the labour begun by the woman.
And Αμην! to your wise words, pilgrim, and thanks for leaving them. Somehow, we're often found together on the same page, even though we may be geographically apart. And yes, the woman of Samaria, later called Φωτεινη, the illumined one, by the Greek church, along with her children became apostles of the Good News in the first generation of disciples, and all suffered martyrdom under the emperor Nero.
ReplyDeleteΚαι τω Θεω η δοξα!
Yes. Yes. Jesus makes us face the truth about our lives before we can embrace the truth of the ages.
ReplyDeleteHow many times in a day do I have to face my sin, and hang my head in disgrace... only to quickly turn to his challenge to be free from it's chains...and somehow with my simple even if weak willingness to turn he's there again to break me free.