The Gospel of John: John 4.16-26

Read and meditate on John 4.25, 26.
The woman builds her own bridge to Jesus, and He leads her onto it.

²⁵The woman said to Him, “I know that He
is coming, the Messiah (Who would be
the Christ). He will explain and make us see
all things.” ²⁶Said Jesus to her, “I am He.”

- John 4.25, 26

Reflect
1.  The woman indicates some knowledge of the coming Messiah. But the Samaritans only used the books of Moses in their religion. Where in the first five books of the Bible would they have learned about the Messiah? Complete the following brief prayer: Lord, I need to know Your Word better. Help me…

2.  How did this woman think about the Messiah? What was her understanding of what Messiah would do? Lord, I’m quite sure the people I know have heard about Jesus, but…

3.  What did this woman get right about Messiah? What was she missing? How could you discover what the people you know understand about Jesus? Lord, I want to make You clear to the people in my Personal Mission Field, but first…

4.  What Jesus literally said to this woman, and in this order, was, “I AM, the One speaking to you.” What was Jesus saying? What has John told us thus far about Jesus that can support this claim? Lord Jesus, You are I AM! Oh, Lord, let me know…

5.  Do you think it’s possible that our understanding of Jesus is not as clear, comprehensive, or full as it ought to be? Why or why not? Bring together into one prayer the prayers you composed from questions 1-4.

Summary
“How is it that the Samaritans expected Christ’s coming, since they only acknowledged the books of Moses? Their expectation came from the writings of Moses themselves.… Jacob prophesies of Christ, ‘The scepter shall not depart from Judah nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet until he comes to whom it belongs, and he is the expectation of nations.’ And Moses says, ‘The Lord your God shall raise up a prophet from the midst of you, of your brothers.’” Augustine (354-430 AD)

Everyone has some knowledge of God (Rom. 1.18-21). Most people suppress the true knowledge of God and substitute for it a god of their own making, to satisfy and quell the voice within them that keeps longing for God. Most people have some knowledge about Jesus, but usually it’s not correct. Jesus gradually led this woman to the true knowledge of Himself, and we must be as patient as He when it comes to making Him known. Do you pray for the lost people you know? How can you do that, beginning today?

Closing Prayer
Your mercy, O LORD, is in the heavens;
Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.
Your righteousness is like the great mountains;
Your judgments are a great deep;
O LORD, You preserve man and beast.
How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God!
Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings.
They are abundantly satisfied with the fullness of Your house,
And You give them drink from the river of Your pleasures.
For with You is the fountain of life;
In Your light we see light.

Psalm 36.5-9

Psalm 36.5-9 (Landas: My Faith Has Found a Resting Place)
Your lovingkindness, Lord, is great, it reaches heav’n above;
Your faithfulness mounts to the skies, and keeps us in Your love.
Your righteousness like mountains high and judgment like the deep
Preserve Your creatures one and all and in Your mercy keep.

How precious is Your love, O Lord; we shelter in Your wings.
We drink refreshment to the full from Your abundant springs.
You give us freely of Your grace, we drink it with delight;
Life’s fountain is with You, O Lord, in Your light we see light.

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.