St Margaret's Church Prestwich

Rev Sue preached this sermon on Sunday 8 March. Here it is for you again:

Today’s readings draw us into the human experience of thirst — not just
feeling thirsty for water or a drink, but we are here talking about the longing and thirst
of the soul.

We read In Exodus, that the Israelites were weary and afraid,they had questions in
their minds whether God is truly with them. Their thirst becomes a test of faith. Yet
God responds with grace, bringing water from the most unlikely place — yes, a rock
in the wilderness, and I just think that is amazing..

Then from the Gospel we read from John 4:5–42
So Jesus came to a Samaritan city called Sychar,. Jacob’s well was there, and
Jesus, tired out by his journey, sat down at Jacob’s well. Then the Samaritan woman
arrives and .It was about noon.
Verse 7: A woman of Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give me a
drink.” The woman responds in surprise,How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink
from me, a woman of Samaria?”
This question tells us how shocking this moment was. Jesus is breaking several
unspoken rules at once. As we know Jews and Samaritans did not get along and
usually avoided each other. Men also did not speak openly with women they did not
know. And a Jewish person would never drink from a Samaritan’s cup.
So, when Jesus asks her for water, it isn’t a small request. It is something which was
unexpected . It tells her that Jesus sees her, not as someone to avoid, but as
someone worth speaking to.
In verses 10–14, Jesus makes a startling promise:
… Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but
whoever drinks of the water that I will give, will never be thirsty again.
Here Jesus talks about two waters:
The water from the well is temporary. You drink, and you get thirsty again.
But living water is permanent. It becomes a spring inside you, a source that keeps
giving.
Jesus gives a spring of water which leads to eternal life.. He gave himself as a gift
for us ,Jesus is the living water.
This is what Christians call grace — not something we achieve, but something we
are given. Living water is God’s own life poured into empty places, poured into us
into our empty hearts.
In this way, God satisfies our thirst.
As you all know I come from India, a country known for its spices, yoga, the Taj
Mahal and of course Hinduism.
Being a Christian in India often means facing significant challenges, including social
ostracism, legal restrictions, and even violence.
Despite these obstacles, the Christian community remains resilient, continuing to pra
ctice their faith and serve others in need.
As many of you might know, In India, there exists an ancient, fixed system of social
classification and hierarchy based on birth, organizing society into four main
segments known as (Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, Shudras) and a, fifth, a
marginalized group, called as Dalits or (“untouchables”)
Although legally abolished, this system still persists in many places ,a system of
oppression affecting every aspect of life like marriage, employment, and social status
.
Dalits and lower castes face significant discrimination, including social exclusion and
sometimes even violence.
Missionaries have played a significant part in spreading Christianity in India which
has played a vital role in uplifting lower-caste people primarily through education,and
promotion of equality.
While the primary goal of missionaries was often evangelism, their activities provided
a pathway to hope and dignity that the old systems had always kept out of reach.
Missionaries provided education to all, including “untouchables,”and women which
challenged the traditional system that denied them literacy
Christianity introduced and emphasized on equality, stating that all people are
created in the image of God.
Christianity brought positive changes and often broke strict caste rules by eating with
lower-caste people and touching them, just as our saviour did drinking water from
samaritan women and samaritan women spreading word about Jesus
Missionaries spread the word of God among the most oppressed people and helped
them to live a dignified life just as our saviour Lord jesus christ did he treated
everyone alike and spread the message of love and peace with no space for hatred
Indians that have converted to christianity still face numerous challenges ,increasing
restrictions and growing violence , yet at the same time the church continues to
grow, and it’s wonderful to see people from all backgrounds worship together, we
could see churches full of old and young people , families with young children don’t
usually miss the church, if you’re 10 minutes late you might not get seat inside and
you might have to just stand outside the door to attend the service.
Some places might just have a small room used as a church and may not have
enough support to run the church yet Christ’s work is going on and people are
getting closer and closer to God.
If we read Psalm 95 it starts with joy and praise but ends with a gentle reminder: Do
not harden your hearts. It’s a call to remain open to God’s voice, even when life feels
empty and uncertain.
In the Gospel, we read that Jesus meets a Samaritan women who comes for
ordinary water, but He offers her something far greater — living water that quenches
the deepest thirst of the heart. Her encounter transforms her, and she becomes a
witness to her whole community.
We all have “wilderness moments” — seasons of doubt, weariness, or spiritual
dryness.
Lent invites us to bring our thirst honestly before God, trusting that He can meet us in
unexpected ways. The living water Jesus offers is not a quick fix, but a wellspring of
grace that renews us daily.
So please remember:
● Be honest with God about your needs and struggles.
● Stay open to His voice, even when His answers surprise you.
● Share the living water —share your own experiences with God to others so
they may also understand the love of Christ.
Closing Prayer:
Lord, in our thirst, meet us with Your living water. Soften our hearts, renew our
spirits, and help us to be vessels of Your grace in a thirsty world. Amen.