A study of John 4:1-42 reveals Jesus Christ is the living water that satisfies the soul, and the God of true worship who saves sinners.
A study of John 4:1-42 reveals that Jesus Christ is the living water.
Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.” (ESV, John 4:10)
Jesus and his disciples were on their way from Galilee to Judea. The road they traveled passed through Samaria and they stopped to rest near the town of Sychar. Jesus waits at Jacob’s well, named after his forefather, while his disciples go in town to buy food. As he rests, a Samaritan woman from town comes to draw from the well. And Jesus asks her for a drink of water.
She is surprised Jesus speaks to her because it breaks two social conventions. First, in Jewish culture, men did not speak to women in public. And second, there was long history of racial prejudice and animosity between Samaritans and Jews. And the woman is quick to note both in her reply. She was probably thinking to herself, who is this guy who doesn’t understand or play by the rules?
But like his encounter with Nicodemus, Jesus cuts straight to spiritual truth. If she knew who he was she would ask him for “living water.” The words are composed of the Greek zaō for “living” and hýdōr for “water.” And represent regeneration and eternal life. Her curiosity piqued, the woman keeps the conversation going with another practial observation. You don’t even have a bucket. How will you access this living water?
A study of John 4:1-42 reveals that Jesus satisfies the soul
Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” (ESV, John 4:13-14)
But Jesus didn’t answer her question. Why? Because he WAS the living water. And remains so today. He satisfies the spiritual thirst of our human soul. And provides the refreshing spring of eternal life. He ends the search for meaning, purpose, and significance. Explains why we’re here. What happens when we die. And how to live an abundant life on earth.
Now he has her complete attention. And the conversation flips. From her satisying his physical thirst to him satisfying her spiritual thirst. But first, she carries some baggage that must be addressed. The same problem with sin that we all carry today. And Jesus uncovers it with a simple statement. “Go call your husband and come here.”
A study of John 4:1-42 reveals that Jesus is the God of true worship
The woman said to him, “I know that Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ). When he comes, he will tell us all things.” Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am he. (ESV, John 4:25-26)
Jesus points out her sin. Not in general. But specifically. She has been married and divorced five times and currently lives with a man outside of marriage. And now she is flabergasted. A stranger she has just met knows the familar and unsavory details of her life. And her reaction is also familar. Because it reflects ours as well.
Admitting sin
Rather than admit and confess our sin, we rationalize and deflect. Talk about religion in general terms. Discuss spirituality as a human endeavor. Quote obscure Biblical passages out of context to make sweeping claims. And then defend our goodness. “I’m not so bad.” “Everybody is doing it.” “We all make mistakes.” And, “my life is not nearly as bad as the guy down the street.”
The woman tried to dodge the spiritual discussion. But like a fish on the line, Jesus slowly drew her in, narrowing the discussion along the way until she is out of excuses. And she reaches the pinnacle of her religious belief. The awaited Messiah. He will explain it all when he comes. She declares it as a discussion ender. Top rung on the ladder. Where the other person has no other comeback. But to her complete astonishment, Jesus replies that’s who he is.
He is literally the end of all spiritual discussion. Especially concerning worship. Because true worship is in spirit and truth. It’s not contingent on location or building architecture. Nor defined by celebration or reverence. A litany of traditions, confessions, and creeds. But is directed to God through the person of Jesus Christ. As we reflect on, praise, and exalt his name.
A study of John 4:1-42 reveals that Jesus saves sinners
They said to the woman, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world.” (ESV, John 4:42)
Right after Jesus revealed himself as Messiah to the woman, the disciples return with food. And things get a bit confusing. The disciples want to ask Jesus why he is talking to a Samaritan woman but don’t. Then try to give him food to eat, but he declines talking instead about spiritual food that nourishes him and fields white for harvest. In the mean time, the Samaritan woman leaves her water jar behind, rushes into town, and excitedly tells everyone about her encounter with Jesus at the well. A man who knew everything about her. Could he be the Christ?
Many from the town went out to meet him. They convinced him to stay with them for two more days. And when he left, many professed their faith in him as Savior of the world. The story demonstrates both the influence of personal witness and the transforming power of Jesus Christ. He cares about and pursues people that others reject and spiritually transforms all who believe in and respond to his gift of salvation.
About Chip Tudor:
Chip Tudor is an author, blogger and professional writer. He publishes books, humorous Christian drama, and thought provoking blogs from a Christian worldview. This blog is originally published here.
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