The Woman from Samaria (4:1–30) - part 2 of 2

The Woman from Samaria (4:1–30)—part 2 of 2

"A prophet" (verses 16–24). The only way to get the heart ready for the seed is to plow it up with conviction. This was why Jesus told her to go get her husband: He made her confess her sin. There cannot be conversion without conviction. First, there must be conviction and repentance, and then faith that will save you can come. Jesus had got her to think and feel, but He also had to touch her conscience, which meant dealing with her sin.

The shortest thing she said during the whole conversation was, "I don't have a husband." Why? Because she was now under conviction, her "mouth was stopped" (Rom. 3:19). This outcome was the most favorable outcome for her!

Instead of listening to Jesus, though, she tried to get Him to change directions by talking about the differences between the Jewish and Samaritan religions. It's a lot easier to talk about religion than to admit your sins! But Jesus showed her spiritual ignorance again: she didn't know who to worship, where to worship, or how to worship! He stressed that not all religions are equally acceptable to God and that some worshippers act out of ignorance and disbelief.

God will only accept faith that came through the Jews. The Bible comes from Judaism, and our Savior was a Jew. Jews were the first Christians. Jesus said, "Salvation is of the Jews." To worship God in a way that pleases Him, you must have the Holy Spirit living in you and follow the truth.

It was a terrible thing to say that worship would no longer be limited to the Jewish temple. This statement is related to what John said in John 2:19–21 and what Stephen said in Acts 7:48–50. John's gospel stresses that there is a new sacrifice (John 1:29), a new temple (John 2:19–21; 4:20–24), a new birth (John 3:1–7), and a new water (John 4:11). Jews who read this gospel should know that God has set up a whole new system of things through Jesus Christ. The old covenant law has been completed and discarded.

"Christ" (vv. 25–30). Even though she didn't know much, this woman did know one thing: the Messiah was coming and would show people what was in their hearts. How did she find out this truth? We don't know, but that seed had been buried in her heart until that moment, and now it was going to grow. When she said that, our Lord literally said, "I that speak unto thee am He." Jesus was bold in His proclamation of the holy name of God!

At this point, the woman became a Christian and put her trust in Jesus Christ. She wanted to tell other people about her faith right away, so she went into the village and told the men that she had met Christ. Considering the limited spiritual knowledge this woman possessed, her zeal and witness serve as a source of shame for us. But God used her simple testimony, and many people came to the well to see Jesus. The rabbis said, "It is better to burn the words of the law than to give them to a woman!" But Jesus didn't agree with that narrow view.

Why did she leave her waterpot behind when she rushed into the city? For one thing, she was happy that she had the living water inside her. She also intended to return, and in the meantime, the disciples and Jesus could utilize the vessel to satisfy their thirst. The previous fights and racial barriers had vanished! They all believed in and loved each other!

This woman did not believe in Christ right away. Jesus was patient with her, and her story is a good lesson for us in our own work. God used her to win over nearly the entire village, even though she was undoubtedly the least likely to be saved!