That Hidden Fame Around Us

 This morning I’d like to think with you about the story of the Samaritan woman who meets Jesus at the well.  It’s in John, chapter 4:4-42.  

We all know the story; Jesus is at the well resting while His disciples go into town to find food. It’s high noon and hot. When the woman approaches the well to draw water, He speaks to her and asks for a drink. Obviously, she’s avoiding others by coming at such an inconvenient time. She’s surprised that he’d even speak to her since she’s a Samaritan, but nevertheless they talk back and forth and he tells her about the 5 husbands she’s had and then goes on to mention that the one she has now that she’s not even married to.  

Obviously, after all that, she pegs him as a prophet, and they continue talking……..  until she says in verse 25, “I know that Messiah, the Christ, is coming.  And when He comes, He will explain everything to us”.  

And then Jesus says, (I like to think it was in a quiet conversational tone), “I, the One speaking to you - I am He”

Can you just imagine what she felt?

I had a somewhat similar experience not long ago.  No, it wasn’t Jesus, but it was about the nearest thing to a ‘celebrity’ I’ve come across, and for me it was quite an interesting feeling..

A few months ago in this blog, I threw out a teaser, saying I was going to tell you about some very famous and interesting people we’d met.  

Sadly, I haven’t been able to share that story because the people in the spotlight (albeit it very politely) have never given us permission.

So, I’m going to tell you ‘about it’ but not give you any details. In doing this, I think you can see the similarities to the woman at the well and hopefully catch some of the feeling I experienced.

We were on a cruise, and after a rather dismal morning worship led by a Catholic Priest, we got to chatting with a couple in the elevator.  As we figured out we’d both been at the same service, we decided to visit the buffet and keep talking.

And talk we did!  For over an hour we told each other of our courtships, our kids, what we liked about Christianity, on and on.  Clearly, we were becoming ‘Besties’.

And then it happened.  They had said at the beginning that they were from a pretty small town in our prefecture, relatively far up north.  We’d been there, even had a browse thru the little museum, but it made little impact on me and we’ve never returned.  

As we yabbered along, thinking about the town again, the light suddenly came on.  “Oh” I said, ‘I remember now, I think your town has some famous guy there……Uhm I think his name was (and I said his name).

Without blinking, and in that same conversational tone, the wife said, “That’d be us”.  

Now as I said, these folks aren’t God, only His children, but they’re definitely among the most “Famous” people we’ve ever come across, or should I say ‘people we’ve met not knowing ahead of time that they’re famous!’ and I can’t exactly explain how I felt to find this out AFTER we’d so warmed to them as ‘regular folk’. (which I think they are). 

Imagine how the Samaritan lady felt.  You will remember that she left her jars and everything and RAN into town to tell everyone what she’d found.  

Oh, to be that excited about the Good News I’m sure you’d want to tell everyone wouldn’t you?  I wanted to tell everyone that we KNOW these people………　but alas, they (not being the Saviour) have enough fans already I’m guessing and aren’t looking for their fame to be spread any further.  Oh well.

May we all this week experience some “Wonder” at the incredible intricacies of being a Christ Follower!  I’d love to hear your stories as well.  Who knows, some of you reading this may be famous yourselves.

All the Best till next week, Marsha