John 4:1-42
Our Lord Jesus Christ is the Master Soul Winner. We see it
over and over again in the Scriptures. In John chapter 3 we see the classical
encounter with a Pharisee – Nicodemus. And here in chapter 4 there is the
beautiful story of the encounter and conversion of the woman of Samaria and
many Samaritans. It is important that we learn from the Master the great
lessons taught in this gold mine chapter of John on how to win souls: First
there is an offer of the Water of Life, then there is the correction of the
misconception of true worship, then comes the exposure of the immoral life and
its effect on true desire to worship. Finally we have the confession of Jesus
as Messiah! What follows is mass conversion of the Samaritans of the city of
Sychar.
The city of Sychar is one of
the most significant plots of ground in the Bible. Here God first appeared to
Abraham in the land of Canaan (Genesis 12:6, 7). Here Jacob dwelt when he left
Laban (Genesis 34). Here Dinah, Jacob’s daughter was defiled and a terrible
slaughter of the Shechemites resulted (Genesis 34). Here Jacob sent Joseph to
see his brethren on that fateful trip that resulted in Joseph being sold as a
slave to Egypt (Genesis 37). Here Joshua addressed Israel for the last time
(Joshua 24). Here Rehoboam (the son of Solomon) gave the answer to the
Israelites that split the kingdom (I Kings 12). Here Jeroboam the first king of
the northern split of the kingdom, set up the idolatrous kingdom (I Kings 12).
And our text adds another significant event—Christ’s encounter with the Samaritan
woman. [1] Everything in
the Bible means something.
It was a devastating
statement to say that worship would no longer be limited to the Jewish temple.
This ties in with John 2:19–21 and also Stephen’s statement in Acts 7:48–50.
John’s Gospel clearly reveals 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). The Old Covenant Law has been fulfilled and set aside.[2]
The
Messiah has come, but many people are still like this woman of Samaria – lost in
sins and trespasses, seeking for pleasure in things of the flesh and of this
life but never finding satisfaction. Many like this woman seek to cover their
sin with religion (Prov.28:13), but sin cannot be covered in the presence of
God. Jesus is here today to cleanse, to heal to deliver. Open up to Him this
morning. Let’s consider three points
1. The Offer Of The Water Of Life (John 4:7-15)
2. The Opening Up Of A Sinful Life and Pretence Worship
(John 4:16-24)
3. The Overspreading Of Christ’s Water Of Life (John
4:25-42)
The Offer Of The Water Of Life
(John
4:7-15; Mat. 11:28-30).
Water
represents the pure and true word of God that gives life – everlasting life.
God is the source of this living water (Isa.12:3; Jer.2:13). This living water
is a symbol of the word of God. It is important for us to look at the word
pictures used to describe the word of God in the Bible: (i) Fire (Jer.23:29) – it burns, it purges
and cleanses all that is contrary to God’s will; (ii) Hammer (Jer.23:29) – it destroys evil; (iii) Lamp (Ps.119:105) – it illuminates our part and shows us the way; (iv)
Mirror (James 1:23) – it reveals to
us who we really are before God; (v) Milk
(1Pet.2:2) – It nourishes; (vi) Rod
(Rev.11:1-2) – it corrects us; (vii) Sword
(Heb.4:12) – it is used by the Spirit for our defence; (viii) WATER (Eph.5:26; John 15:3; 17:17;
Ps.119:5, 9) – life giving, refreshing and cleaning agent. It quenches our
thirst ; (ix) Gold (Psalm 19:7-10)
The Word of God is an inexhaustible goldmine where we can dig out priceless
treasures forever; Silver (Ps.12:6) –
very pure; (x) Honey (Ps.19:10;
Rev.10:10); (xi) Bread (Deut.8:3;
Mat.4:4); (xii) Rain (Isa.55:10) –
it brings life! There are many other names used in the Bible to describe God’s Word.
The
Word you hear today from the Bible is called the Word of God (Heb.4:12). It is
called the Sword of the Spirit (Eph.6:17). You want the help of the Holy
Spirit? Begin to study the word of God. It is the Word of Christ (Col.3:16) –
it is to dwell richly in your heart. It is the word of Life (Phil.2:16); It is
the word of truth (Eph.1:13) and it is the word of Faith (Rom.10:8). As our Lord
did to the woman of Samaria, He is offering us the Living Water, the Word of
life today (John 5:24).
Life
is offered to you this this day. This is Salvation through Christ. Jesus describes
Himself as the gift of God (John 4:10). He died on the Cross so that you may have
everlasting life in Heaven *(John 3:16; 10:15, 17-18; Num.21:4-9)*. Jesus says
to you today, “Come unto me and you will have life” (Mat.11:28-30)? He says to
you, “Believe on Me” (John 14:1-3). Receive this Living Water and you will have
everlasting life.
The Opening Up Of A Sinful Life and Pretence Worship
(John
4:16-24; Prov.28:13).
“Go,
call your husband and come…”
Before one gets saved, they
have to deal with this matter of sin. So it was with the woman at the well. First, the convicting of wickedness. “Go,
call thy husband” (John 4:16). True Gospel preaching and witnessing lays great
stress on condemning sin, uplifting the holiness of God, and thus showing the
sinfulness of man. This creates in the heart of man a thirst for the living
water. “Clearly Jesus by this sudden sharp turn gives the woman a conviction of
sin and guilt without which she cannot understand His use of water as a
metaphor for eternal life” (Robertson). Second,
the compassion for the wicked. “Come hither” (John 4:16). Christ gave the woman
two orders. The first was “Go” (John 4:16) and the second was “Come.” The first
was for the conviction of sin; the second showed the compassion of the Savior.
It was the truth and grace of the Gospel. The first order portrayed truth; the
second order portrayed grace.[3]
Yes,
Jesus wants to give you rest, but have you repented of your sin? Do you know
that the wages of sin is death? But the gift of God is eternal life through
Jesus Christ (Rom.6:23). No one likes to expose their errors to others. This woman
became protective and wanted to change the subject. She had married and
divorced five times, and was now living with a sixth man! She was a woman of
questionable character. She brought in religion. But this is not about religion.
It was about her sinful life. Getting exercised over the place of worship rather than the Person of worship or the (period rather than the) piety
in worship or the (pastor or priest rather than the) proper way to worship is
typical of the unregenerate. They will talk religion as long as you do not
bring up the subject of their sin.[4] God is a Spirit, but most people try
to worship him in the physical. The thing that will prevent people from
enjoying the living water, the full life from Christ is their sinful lifestyle.
They have to deal with it.
Have
you acknowledged your sin? Have you asked God for forgiveness of your sin? Have
you asked Jesus to save you from your sin? Remember why He was called Jesus
(Mat.1:21).
When
you trust in Jesus:
(i)
You
have total forgiveness of your sins (Eph.2:8-9).
(ii)
You
have peace with God (Rom.5:1, 5, 9).
(iii) You are born again into God’s own family (2Cor.5:17;
Gal.3:26).
(iv) You have eternal life. You will live forever
in Heaven with God (John 3:16; 1John 5:11).
(v)
God
lives in you. You have become a temple, a dwelling place of God’s Spirit
(1Cor.3:16; Gal.2:20).
(vi) Nothing can separate you from the love of
Christ (Rom.8:38-39).
(vii) God has chosen to share His Kingdom with you
(Luke 12:32; Rom.8:17).
The Overspreading Of Christ’s Water Of Life
(John
4:25-42).
Thank
God that this woman was made to understand the mission of Christ; that Christ
Jesus has come to seek and to save the lost. She was convicted of her sin and
Jesus immediately tells her that He is the Messiah, the Saviour of the world. We
can see she understood Jesus because she immediately leaves her water pot, goes
into the village and brings all of them to come and hear Jesus! There was mass
conversion! The Samaritans came out en mass to Jesus. This woman was truly saved!
Have
you invited your friends to come see Jesus? Have you told them how God saved
you? Or are you ashamed of Jesus while still claiming to be saved? I challenge
you today to wake up and join us. We have a noble calling. Our vision of 200
members will be fulfilled. Call your friends, invite people, and preach every
day. Tell the lost about the Saviour, and God will be with you!
[1] Butler,
J. G. (2009). Analytical Bible Expositor:
John (pp. 57–58). Clinton, IA: LBC Publications.
[2]
Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible
exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 300). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[3] Butler,
J. G. (2009). Analytical Bible Expositor:
John (pp. 59–60). Clinton, IA: LBC Publications.
[4] Butler,
J. G. (2009). Analytical Bible Expositor:
John (p. 61). Clinton, IA: LBC Publications.
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