Being Right

Being right, especially in an argument, is a great thing. It provides fuel to the fire, energy to make our points, to clarify the other person’s misunderstandings or lack of reason, and to drive home our conclusion. It is an excellent feeling and leaves us, somehow, feeling full… as if we’ve just eaten a meal. It provides a sense of satisfaction that we can experience physically.

Jesus had this kind of moment. He meets this woman in the middle of the day getting water from a well by which he is sitting. They recognize each other as adversaries, at least, the woman makes it clear that Jesus is a Jew, and she is a Samaritan and a woman. He shouldn’t be talking to her, let alone asking her to give him water. They enter a strained conversation. Politics, religion, gender issues all present themselves in this short dialogue. As it ends, the woman goes running off to bring others to meet Jesus and Jesus feels full. His disciples tell him they brought lunch and he tells them he couldn’t eat another thing.

Jesus was right… but the core of this moment is the answer to the question – What was he right about? What was Jesus’ side of the argument? His side was that this woman had worth and he had to demonstrate that to her. He had to convince her that he was right, which he does, and it leaves him with a physical sense of satisfaction. This leads us to the questions – What are we arguing toward? And, what makes us satisfied?

For many people the point is being right. It’s getting the win. It’s making sure our side comes out on top. For people who follow Jesus, it’s making sure the other side knows they have worth. That’s what we want to be right about.

There is no “Us vs. Them” for Jesus. We’re only “them,” all of us.Blessings,Geoff