Jesus knows what he is doing. Jesus knows worship. Jesus worships! Here, on a hot day, tired from his morning walk from Judea, Jesus offers a struggling woman "living water," giving her insights into the worship sought after by the Father. Jesus speaks from personal experience. This is not an intellectual expression. What we hear is grounded in everything that makes life worth living: worship of the Father.

So, in the cultural context of Jesus, what is worship? What happens when worshipers gather? Where do they gather? What do they expect? Who is involved and in what way? How does this accomplish what is desired? Many questions with fundamental answers, paving the way toward our more mature understanding when Jesus teaches "worship."

How often does meaningful hearing and help from the Word get lost in religious discussion? This hurt-by-life woman, longing for someone to recognize her for who she is, doesn't really know what to do when Someone offers her what she most desperately desires. With her back to the corner, so to speak, she does what so many do ... changes the subject. Graciously, we learn, Jesus moves with her while keeping the real goal in view. Wondrously, Jesus explores, with a "foreigner" who lives in her own culture as an outcast, the significance and importance of the disciple's worship.

The conversation began simply enough, "give me a drink." Quickly, however, the conversation gets to the point, "our people have little to do with your people." Cultural and religious distinctions hinder dialogue. Deeply rooted biases and prejudices hinder the free flow of the Word, not to mention everything else that divides humanity. The conversation between Jesus and this unnamed "woman at the well" breaks down such barriers, teaching us that the Word is for all people. We are learning!

John the Baptizer is aware of Jesus' growing ministry. The Pharisees are aware of Jesus' growing ministry. The religious establishment in Jerusalem is aware of Jesus' growing ministry. "Storm clouds" could be arising. In response, Jesus decides to remove himself from the potential conflicts, choosing to return to Galilee. We get to come with him! Amazingly, Jesus chooses to bypass the normal route toward home, heading straight north through Samaria. Not what we would have expected, but becomes yet another learning opportunity for us.

Not only does John the Baptizer confess his - and our - proper posture before the Word of the LORD, he also confesses the sure and certain Truth of the Son of God. Using language similar to what Jesus uses with Nicodemus, John the Baptizer, approaching his own arrest, confirms the ministry of the Spirit, the Son and the Father, acting in harmony and unity, accomplishing Their plan and purpose in the world. Here, we learn of the One we follow; we discover more of the Man we walk with.

John the Baptizer, still proclaiming the coming Kingdom of God, calling for repentance on the part of all Israel, raised issues that confronted and challenged the established religiosity. Jesus' conversation with Nicodemus raised additional questions, exposing further conflict. Those who "walk with Jesus" enter into a real struggle, confronting common interpretation and established application of the Word. From the Judean countryside, word gets to John the Baptizer about Jesus, questions are asked, confusion abounds. John, however, remains faithful, revealing the heartfelt attitude and practice of the follower of Jesus: "He must increase, I must decrease."

The evening conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus, in the presence of the small band of disciples (learners), spawned many additional discussions. For several days, no doubt, the topics and thoughts of Jesus were considered: the Kingdom, the Spirit, the water, the Christ, the God of Israel, the judgment, the Torah, our living of daily life amidst the Presence of the Creator. The intertwining of God's Life with daily living raised questions and required direction. In the Judean countryside comes the opportunity to engage with Jesus, learning from him the practice of ministry.

Having taught the work of the Spirit ... pointing to the Christ ... revealing the Father through the Christ, Jesus points to the practical. Jesus responds to Nicodemus' implied question: "through this Divine work, how is this made manifest among humanity in culture?" How, really, does God's work in the world "put the world to right"? Using the Biblical word, what about God's "judgment"? Announcing that "believing" is intimately connected with the "name of the begotten Son, Jesus teaches through the images of Light and Darkness, Evil and Good that the Life of the Spirit becomes practical and practiced in the lives of the disciples. This "puts things right."