The Gospel of John: John 4.16-26

Read and meditate on John 4.16.
The focus of the conversation has changed. The woman, who was at first curious about Jesus, and why He, a Jew, should be speaking to her, a woman and a Samaritan, now begins to focus on Jesus and what He offers – “the gift of God” and “living water.” But before Jesus will grant her request, certain matters must be addressed.

   ¹⁶Said Jesus to her, “Call your husband; go
and get him, and come here.”

- John 4.16

Reflect
1.  Two reasons stand behind Jesus’ instruction. The first relates to the role of a husband when it comes to any vow a wife might take. Meditate on Numbers 30.6-15. The Samaritans followed the books of Moses, as did Jesus (cf. Matt. 5.17-19). Why would Jesus have wanted this woman’s husband to be present? Or at least, to make sure she knew that He understood the requirements of God’s Law? Complete this prayer: Lord, You took the Law of God seriously, and obeyed it perfectly. I want to follow You, so…

2.  Second, and just as important, Jesus was not quite ready for the spotlight to be turned off the woman and her situation. How would this woman have likely received Jesus’ instruction in her heart? Do you think she might have felt a bit of defensiveness, or even embarrassment? Explain. Lord, search my heart and mind, and show me anything that…

3.  Do you suppose Jesus knew that His instruction to this woman might cause her a bit of discomfort? Why or why not? Was Jesus right in doing this? He’s trying to give her the gift of eternal life, and first he makes her feel discomfort. Is He throwing up an unnecessary obstacle? How does this instruct us as Jesus’ witnesses? It’s not my job to make people feel bad about their sins, Lord, but still…

4.  Jesus clearly is holding off giving the gift of God and living water to this woman. Evidently, there are preconditions to receiving everlasting life from God. What are they? Lord, I want to be clear when I share the Gospel. Help me to…

5.  How does Jesus instruction to this woman guide us when it comes to sharing the Good News? Is it enough for people to believe in Jesus and receive Him by prayer? Explain. Bring together into one the prayers you composed for questions 1-4.

Summary
“Since the woman demonstrates some urgency in asking for the promised water, Jesus says to her, ‘Go, call your husband,’ to show that he too ought to have a share in these things. But she was in a hurry to receive the gift and wanted to conceal her guilt (for she still imagined she was speaking to a man). ‘The woman answered and said, “I have no husband.”’ Christ answers her with a timely rebuke, exposing her in regard to her former husbands and as to her present one whom she had concealed.” John Chrysostom (344-407 AD)

Salvation is a free gift, but certain conditions must be met before that gift can be received. It might be painful or embarrassing to have to deal with unpleasant matters, but unless a person is first unsettled from his or her sinful way of life, he or she will not be able to settle into God’s gift. How does this affect the way you share the Good News of God’s gift?

Closing Prayer
Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Make me hear joy and gladness,
That the bones You have broken may rejoice.
Hide Your face from my sins,
And blot out all my iniquities.
Create in me a clean heart, O God,
And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me away from Your presence,
And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of Your salvation,
And uphold me by Your generous Spirit.

Psalm 51.7-12

Psalm 51.7-13 (Passion Chorale: O Sacred Head Now Wounded)
In Jesus’ blood and mercy, Lord, cleanse my evil heart!
Let me washed, cleansed, renewed be and pure in whole and part.
Bring joy again and gladness; look not upon my sin.
Deliver me from sadness; renew me yet again!

Create in me a clean heart, renew me from within!
Take not Your Spirit from me because of all my sin.
Salvation’s joy restore, Lord, and keep me in Your hand;
Thus shall I tell Your strong Word to sinners in the land.

T. M. Moore

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series IV a and b: John, edited by Joel C. Elowsky, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006. Verse translation of John by T. M. Moore.