John 4

There is a lot to unpack here, but I’ll try to be brief (and some are saying, “That’ll be a first!):

• This is a significant place in Jewish history. This land was not only owned by Jacob, it was given to Joseph and he was buried there (Joshua 24:32).
• That Jesus is willing to talk to a Samaritan woman tells us something about how we should be willing to reach out. He crossed barriers (27)!
• Jesus initiates a conversation so that he can share the gospel.
• We see the issue of confusion again, like with Nicodemus. Jesus is talking about salvation when he talks about living water. The woman thinks that He is talking about moving water!
• Jesus shares that salvation is a gift that can only come through Him (14).
• Jesus wants her to understand who He is, so He asks her a question that leads to Him revealing His divine knowledge.
• The woman finally begins to think spiritually, and asks Him the most important question of the time: “Who is right about where the temple belongs and where we should worship? Jews or Samaritans?”
• Jesus tells her that the Jews are right, since salvation is coming through them. But she is really asking the wrong question. It’s not where you should worship, but who you should worship!
• Worshiping in spirit and in truth is worshiping Jesus! The Spirit reveals Jesus, who is the truth. He is the Messiah!
• The woman runs to get others, seemingly not yet convinced. Perhaps she wants to find out what others think?
• Jesus reminds the disciples (and us) how important outreach is, and that it’s a group effort (36-38). We all have a part to play, and one isn’t more important than the other.

Although Jesus does perform His second miracle in this passage (39-54), there is also a continued emphasis on the importance of the Word over the miraculous. In John 2:23-24 we saw that many followed Jesus because of the signs, but that He did not “entrust Himself to them.” Here we read that He says, “Unless you see signs and wonders, you will in no way believe.” That wasn’t intended as a compliment! And it comes on the heels of the Samaritans believing the word of the woman at the well and then believing “because of His word.” John seems to be preparing us for a new age, where the Spirit works more though the Word than the miraculous. Miracles can encourage true faith, but they are not the be all and end all of belief:

Luke 16:27-31 (WEB) “He said, ‘I ask you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father’s house— for I have five brothers—that he may testify to them, so they won’t also come into this place of torment.’ But Abraham said to him, ‘They have Moses and the prophets. Let them listen to them.’ He said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ He said to him, ‘If they don’t listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded if one rises from the dead.’ ”

And Jesus’ ministry foreshadows the coming gospel mission. He starts with the Jews (which is emphasized by His meeting with Nicodemus), but also ministers to the Gentiles (by going to Samaria).

Thought for the day: Once again we are reminded that the gospel is not just for the Jews, but for everyone!

Acts 1:8 (WEB) “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you. You will be witnesses to me in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the uttermost parts of the earth.”