Issue 1202 – Who? How? – July 24, 2023

There is a familiar passage in John’s gospel (John 4:1-43) about an interaction between Jesus and a Samaritan woman of dubious character. The account is a bit long to include, but I recommend you take 5 minutes and reread it before continuing. It occurs at Jacob’s Well in Samaria, pictured in 2013 (courtesy of Wikipedia Commons).

For many reasons, she is a person that Jesus should not have talked to by the community standards of the day. Something remarkable happens

She recognizes that Jesus is a prophet of God, and she raises a critical issue. “Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you say that Jerusalem is the place where people ought to worship.” John 4:20

The implied questions are “Which is right?” and “Where and how should we worship?”

She wants to know where the right place to worship is and how to worship God properly. She knows her past; she likely was unwelcome at the Samaritan temple and would not have been welcome in Jerusalem. She was undoubtedly the subject of gossip, and the local women of status looked down their noses at her as one of the vulgar, unclean types.

Our unnamed Samaritan woman knows she is unworthy of her own merit but wants to do it right. 

I am reminded of the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector in Luke 18:9-14

He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Like the tax collector, this Samaritan woman knows she has no merit.

So many people dread coming to church because they fear being rejected in the very place they could find the truth. I’d like to say we are better than that, but we have all, at one point or another, rejected someone because of their lifestyle or appearance, or race. Jesus did not do that and tells us we shouldn’t either.

His answer is stunning. “Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews.” John 4:21

Jesus knows that salvation is from the Jews because He is the long-promised Messiah from the line of Abraham. The Samaritan woman knows a Messiah is coming but doesn’t know from where or when.

Jesus acknowledges the differences between the two religions, but what He says next is mind-blowing.

Jesus answers her, “But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” John 4:22-23

There is something in there that we often overlook. Did you catch it? The Father is seeking such people to worship him. The Scriptures tell us in Romans and elsewhere that no one seeks God. God comes seeking us. He uses the Scriptures, the Holy Spirit and the church’s work to find them. 

Jesus lets the woman know that it isn’t about where you worship. It’s about who you worship and how you worship. True worship is of Him, and it is in Spirit and truth.

Who are you worshipping? How are you worshipping?

Jesus is calling. How will you respond?

Be Blessed

Hallelu Yah / Praise God 

Kevin

Gleanings From The Word

Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life. 

Soli Deo Gloria (For the glory of God alone)

__________________________________________ 

Please like and share this post with friends and your circle of influence. Also, feel free to comment. 

Did you know that we have an email version? Same great content but in a different format. Subscribe today https://mailchi.mp/f27bbeb09c22/ gleanings-1 

______________________________ 

All contents, “Gleanings From The Word” and “Experience an Extraordinary God in Ordinary Life,” are © 2001, 2023 K.F. “Kevin” Corbin Gleanings From The Word.

Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is from the English Standard Version (ESV). 

___________________________________________

#love #peace #hope #Gleanings #theWord #devotional #gospel #death #trinity #encouragement #Biblestudy #faith #dailyBible #verseoftheday #grace #KevinCorbin #god #life #Jesus #faith #holySpirit #YHWH #bible #christian #Christ #Father #prayer #Samaritan #well #SpiritAndTruth #TaxCollector #John4 #Luke18 #worship #humility #spirit #truth #unworthy