The Samaritan Woman
09/14/25 01:49 PM Filed in: Christianity
This brief story was occasioned by last week's sermon and a car ride with grandchildren. In last week's sermon, the observation was made that partial truth and partial belief hinders salvation. In the car ride, one grandchild was unhappy that he didn't get his way and he fussed most of the way home, until he fell asleep from exhaustion.
“Next!”
A figure at the front of the line stepped forward.
“I see here that you were a Unitarian. You didn’t believe that “I am”, so you died in your sins. If you’ll step to the door on the left. Next!”
“Unlike the previous supplicant, you were a Trinitarian. But you affirmed my eternal subordination and ignored that all authority in heaven and earth had been given to me. You were stuck in either/or thinking and not both/and. If you will follow the person that was ahead of you in line to the left. Next!”
“Next!”
A figure at the front of the line stepped forward.
“I see here that you were a Unitarian. You didn’t believe that “I am”, so you died in your sins. If you’ll step to the door on the left. Next!”
“Unlike the previous supplicant, you were a Trinitarian. But you affirmed my eternal subordination and ignored that all authority in heaven and earth had been given to me. You were stuck in either/or thinking and not both/and. If you will follow the person that was ahead of you in line to the left. Next!”
“Your records indicate that you believed that my grace was insufficient for you and that you had to earn your salvation through your works. You should have listened to St. Paul. Go to the door on the left. Next!”
“Well, it says here that you adored my mother almost as much as you adored me and that you asked for her intercession, when mine is sufficient. That won’t comport with those who have gone through door on the right, so you’ll have to take the left one. Next!”
“My, my, my. You think it was by the free choice of your will that I saved you. Bailiff, escort him to the left door. He won’t go gently because He won’t believe the choice I just made overrides his. Next!”
“Hmmm… you got justification by faith correct, and you bowed before my sovereignty, but you think I didn’t die for every individual on earth. You changed my gospel from “I died for you!” to “I might have died for you.” You preached a different gospel. Anathema. Left door. Next!”
“Esau? Step forward. I see you still haven’t admitted that what happened to you was your fault, and like a little child who didn’t get their way you haven’t stopped crying since! You could have used your words and talked to me and asked for my help but, no, you remained focused on your loss. Well, that loss is now permanent. Bailiff, here’s another one you’ll need to help. You know which door. Next!”
“It looks like we have the ideal candidate here. Flawless doctrine, exemplary life. You got everything right, didn't you?”
“You say so, Lord.”
“That was the wrong answer to the final question. At least you know which door. Is there anyone left?”
A lone woman approached.
“I think I know you.”
Her head bowed, “I gave you water at a well, Lord.”
“In was in Samaria, wasn’t it? I remember."
The Lord paused briefly.
"You got everything wrong, didn't you? Your doctrine was imperfect, your belief was weak, and your life was a mess.”
“Yes, Lord.”
"The water you gave me refreshed me. Did the water I gave you refresh you?"
"It sill does, Lord."
“Well, you’re the last one for the day and it’s quitting time. Come. There’s a feast ready. Join me in joy, my child.”
Just in case someone might misunderstand me, this story uses reductio ad absurdum to show that we are not saved because of the quality of our belief, knowledge, or life.
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