As we've learned throughout the study of John 4, the story of Jesus has universal appeal. In His conversation with the Samaritan woman at the well, Jesus reveals that true worship is not a matter of geography but spirit. The woman admits she believes the Messiah, Israel's king, is coming to reveal all things, and in a stunning revelation, Jesus declares, "I who speak to you am He" (John 4:26). Wow. I pray that this slow stroll to Samaria has provided a few stunning revelations to you as you've listened to the conversation between the woman and Jesus. We're in our final week and will conclude our study of John 4:1-42 this week by reintroducing the disciples into the story and listening to some adjacent conversations and learnings.
27 Just then his disciples returned and were surprised to find him talking with a woman. But no one asked, "What do you want?" or "Why are you talking with her?"
Interestingly, the disciples knew it to be odd (culturally) for Jesus to speak to a Samaritan, especially a woman. Even though the author did not record the entire conversation, the disciples sensed Jesus' conversation was for good reason. They chose not to question him openly and ask the woman or Jesus what was happening. Maybe their trust was growing, knowing Jesus would reveal truths in time. I pray that is true of my own heart.
28 Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, 29 "Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?" 30 They came out of the town and made their way toward him.
I've been spending time each week praying through a psalm. I'll read a verse or two aloud, then relate it to my life and reshape the words. When I read verse 29, which says, "Come, see a man..." I thought of Psalm 34:8, which says, "Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him." The woman didn't just regurgitate the conversation to others; she invited them to "taste and see" for themselves and come to their own personal conclusions about whether or not Jesus was a prophet and the Messiah.
31 Meanwhile his disciples urged him, "Rabbi, eat something."
32 But he said to them, "I have food to eat that you know nothing about."
33 Then his disciples said to each other, "Could someone have brought him food?" 34 "My food," said Jesus, "is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work. 35 Don't you have a saying, 'It's still four months until harvest'? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest. 36 Even now the one who reaps draws a wage and harvests a crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together. 37 Thus the saying 'One sows and another reaps' is true. 38 I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labor."
While the woman was absent, Jesus had a conversation with his disciples. Jesus does such an exceptional job stewarding time. He didn't just sit there and wait for the crowds to return; he used it to instruct them. What an example of how we should be wise stewards and redeem the time—not in a hurried, productive motion but in a well-tempered, natural, and instructive manner. I'm tucking this instruction into my heart and mind to ponder and chew on.
Jesus taught the disciples about His work and how He delighted in it. When He came to the well, He was weary. Then, the opportunity to speak into a soul came into play, and that became His primary focus. Have you ever noticed when you're busy at work, you don't always recognize the time and don't think of eating? I certainly do (with earthly work), and it's interesting how Jesus thought so much about doing the work of His Father that physical hunger became secondary. Yet, Jesus' disciples -- in an act of love -- encouraged Him to eat and take in nourishment. I love how God places people around us to help nudge and tend to our needs. Be that person for others this week!
Lastly, Jesus showed the disciples how the gospel truth would be planted in the Jewish and Samaritan fields! He invites them to do the harvesting work with Him. It is beautiful how our Savior desires to co-create beauty and abundance with us, and we can approach each day with this life-anchoring purpose, too.
39 Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman's testimony, "He told me everything I ever did." 40 So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days. 41 And because of his words many more became believers.
42 They said to the woman, "We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world."
In verse 39, it says, "Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman's testimony..." The "believed in him" terminology refers to the idea that they took him as a prophet and desired to know the mind of God from Him (Matthew Henry).
This story has been a beautiful reminder of how God uses the weak and the unlikely to spread His gospel message. These verses (1-42) show us how He has engaged with people in the past, which clarifies how He relates to us in the present.
"CHRIST SECURED HIMSELF, NOT BY A MIRACLE, BUT IN A WAY COMMON TO MEN, FOR THE DIRECTION AND ENCOURAGEMENT OF HIS SUFFERING PEOPLE."
This Matthew Henry quote—the same one used in the first blog post of John 4—speaks of how Christ chooses to engage with us: in an ordinary way. He meets us where we are (in this story, it's at a well) and gently guides us into freedom. He is not hurried or preoccupied but is completely engaged and ready to gaze upon us and remind us what a delight we are to Him. Amen.