By: Tom Jordan

“Come see a man, which told me all things that ever I did; is not this the Christ?” (John 4:29). 

“You can’t make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear.”  Whoever coined that bit of philosophy must have meant it is almost impossible to make elegance out of the ordinary.  Of course, as far as I know a pig may consider their ears elegant.  I guess the point of view depends on whether you are people or a pig. 

Now, if the original bit of wisdom speaks of impossibilities, there are some impossibilities to consider.  Time doses nor run backwards; we can grow younger and we can’t unsay hurtful words or undo hurtful actions.  

However, when it comes to spiritual and soul matters, there is a hog sized difference to consider.  What would seem to be impossible happens when Jesus comes into our lives. Comparatively speaking, “the natural person”, like the sow’s ear if you will, and the “spiritual” person is like a silk purse.  The carnal mind would think that one could not become the other.  But Jesus did it over and over again while on earth and has continued to the transformation since he ascended to the right hand of the throne of God.  

The “sow’s ear” transformation is referred to in our passage today in the case of the woman at the well that Jesus had a planned encounter for the change.  She was changed in her conversation with Jesus from her past into a silk purse giving witness and testimony to everyone she met in town.  Because of the change Jesus had made in her life, a whole herd of folks hurried out to meet Jesus, got transformed and said, “Now we believe…for we have heard for ourselves, and know that his is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world” (John 4:42).  

Who says sow’s ears can’t be turned into silk purses!  God does it all the time through Christ!  They are truly miracle workers in doing transformations. 

The Rev. Dr. Tom Jordan is the retired pastor of the First Baptist Church of Epworth.