That was alot to unpackage, Aaron! That seems to be true, Jesus not beating Mary or anyone in search of this full love, instead redirecting our searches to him. Women seem more intuitive in this seeking, while us guys often are slow on the uptake!
So true. I generally resist gender generalizations, but I’m starting to think there’s something deeply theological about female intuition and spiritual desire being generally higher than males.
I’ve never known what to do with the “man meets woman at well” scene here in relation to the ones from Genesis. Interesting take! And thank you for the questions at the end. As a woman, I respond very differently when the woman is (mostly) presented as a sexual sinner (just heard that in a Right Now Media video ft Matt Chandler last evening with my small group!) vs. when she is presented as one who recognizes Jesus as Messiah and boldly evangelized her whole town (unlike Nic in Jn 3 or the disciples in Jn 5).
Thank you so much for reading, Jennifer, and for sharing how you hear this story. I’m grieved you heard that interpretation just last night! It might be easier to endure if today’s preachers were as harsh on Nicodemus as they are on this woman, but I haven’t heard that from contemporary interpreters. I continue to be amazed at how John’s portraits of women are so positive compared to men. As Warren Carter said, “ Consistently the male disciples are outperformed by a small number of women who often present examples of positive responses — believing in or entrusting themselves to Jesus. Some of these women live outside the conventional power structures of their male-dominated society. They witness and discern Jesus’ revelation of God’s purposes and play key roles in accomplishing them. In so doing, they also contribute significantly to the characterization of Jesus.”
Thanks William. I admit to being quite stunned myself. Tim Mackie said “the Gospel of John is bottomless.” I am finding that to be a very fitting way to describe John and what it’s like to study the fourth gospel.
"God is a wedding." Going to meditate on that all day!
It’s quite a metaphor!
That was alot to unpackage, Aaron! That seems to be true, Jesus not beating Mary or anyone in search of this full love, instead redirecting our searches to him. Women seem more intuitive in this seeking, while us guys often are slow on the uptake!
So true. I generally resist gender generalizations, but I’m starting to think there’s something deeply theological about female intuition and spiritual desire being generally higher than males.
I’ve never known what to do with the “man meets woman at well” scene here in relation to the ones from Genesis. Interesting take! And thank you for the questions at the end. As a woman, I respond very differently when the woman is (mostly) presented as a sexual sinner (just heard that in a Right Now Media video ft Matt Chandler last evening with my small group!) vs. when she is presented as one who recognizes Jesus as Messiah and boldly evangelized her whole town (unlike Nic in Jn 3 or the disciples in Jn 5).
Thank you so much for reading, Jennifer, and for sharing how you hear this story. I’m grieved you heard that interpretation just last night! It might be easier to endure if today’s preachers were as harsh on Nicodemus as they are on this woman, but I haven’t heard that from contemporary interpreters. I continue to be amazed at how John’s portraits of women are so positive compared to men. As Warren Carter said, “ Consistently the male disciples are outperformed by a small number of women who often present examples of positive responses — believing in or entrusting themselves to Jesus. Some of these women live outside the conventional power structures of their male-dominated society. They witness and discern Jesus’ revelation of God’s purposes and play key roles in accomplishing them. In so doing, they also contribute significantly to the characterization of Jesus.”
Aaron, there is an excellent chapter about the Samaritan woman in the book Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes by Kenneth Bailey.
https://books.google.com.au/books/about/Jesus_Through_Middle_Eastern_Eyes.html?id=mjQAAebtAmEC&printsec=frontcover&source=kp_read_button&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&gboemv=1&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q&f=false
Thanks Barbara!
love it, Aaron. thanks for writing.
Thanks Matt!
Thanks William. I admit to being quite stunned myself. Tim Mackie said “the Gospel of John is bottomless.” I am finding that to be a very fitting way to describe John and what it’s like to study the fourth gospel.