Speaking Woman

Just then his disciples came. They were astonished that Jesus was speaking with a woman, but no one said, “What do you want?” or “Why are you speaking with her?” Then the woman left her water jar and went back to the city. She said to the people, “Come and see a man who told me everything I have ever done! He cannot be the Messiah, can he?” They left the city and were on their way to him.
Meanwhile the disciples were urging him, “Rabbi, eat something.” But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you do not know about.” So the disciples said to one another, “Surely no one has brought him something to eat?” Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to complete his work. Do you not say, ‘Four months more, then comes the harvest’? But I tell you, look around you, and see how the fields are ripe for harvesting. The reaper is already receiving wages and is gathering fruit for eternal life, so that sower and reaper may rejoice together. For here the saying holds true, ‘One sows and another reaps.’ I sent you to reap that for which you did not labor. Others have labored, and you have entered into their labor.”
Many Samaritans from that city believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I have ever done.” So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them; and he stayed there two days. And many more believed because of his word. They said to the woman, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is truly the Savior of the world.” John 4:27-42

Speaking Woman

They were troubled, astounded and astonished
an woman from the enemy camp persisted
in talking with the incarnate savior of the world
the disciples took offence at their boldness.

He had told her of her broken humanity
yet loved her all the same, sitting and sharing
she brought water and he brought hope
then she ran and told her people the truth.

She called her family friends and neighbors
to meet the man that brought God with him
that welcomed strangers and distraught aliens
making a comfortable place for them
at the banquet table that is always ready.

His disciples were not happy since privilege
and proximity lead them to believe
only they were special and important
the only ones who could speak with him.

The love of God persists in the face of assumptions
in the face of authorities and privileges
in the shuttered hall of government and kings
love will persist in breaking down all barriers.