John 4:1-26
Q.1. How many disciples did Jesus baptize? What prompted Him to depart from Judea for Samaria? – (Jn.4:1-6)
Though huge numbers were coming to Christ and were submitting to His radical claims, Jesus actually did not baptize a single one. His disciples were doing the baptizing (Jn.4:1-2). We learn that Jesus avoided a confrontation with the Pharisees at this time (Jn.4:3-4). He was committed to fulfilling His mission – For the Father did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him (Jn.3:17). He would not give up His saving mission, for an appearance of success amongst the crowds. To return to the relative anonymity of Galilee – He had to pass through Samaria (Jn.4:4). Jesus and His disciples took a break at midday, in the heat of the day, at the well of Sychar (Jn.4:5-6). This well had been given to Joseph by Jacob (Jn.4:5 & 12 c.f. Gen.48:22; Josh.24:32).
Q.2. Why was it strange for Jesus to talk with the woman of Samaria? How did Jesus arouse her interest in spiritual matters? – (Jn.4:7-14)
Ever since the division of the kingdom of Israel after Solomon, there had been a growing rift between what Jerusalem in the southern kingdom represented, and that represented by Samaria in the northern kingdom. John explained – for Jews have no dealings with Samaritans (Jn.4:9). The woman of Samaria was well known by locals for her loose living, so drew her water in the heat of the day (Jn.4:7). John underscored the humanity of Jesus, by describing Him as being weary and thirsty (Jn.4:6-7). However, Jesus had a higher purpose than to quench His own thirst (Jn.4:14 & 34). He aroused her interest by claiming – 13 … Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again; 14 but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life (Jn.4:13-14). This got her undivided attention.
Q.3. How did Jesus break down the religious barrier raised by the woman? What response did Jesus want from the woman? – (Jn.4:15-26)
Before explaining further, Jesus gently addressed her sin. He revealed the whole truth about her wayward life (Jn.4:15-18). In response, she changed the subject, to the differences in the way Jews and Samaritans worshipped (Jn.4:19-20). Jesus explained that true faith has nothing to do with the place of worship, but it is a matter of the heart (Jn.4:21). This helped her to identify what real faith is all about … A RELATIONSHIP WITH A PERSON – The woman said to Him, “I know that Messiah is coming (He who is called Christ); when that One comes, He will declare all things to us.” (Jn.4:25). Jesus then revealed Himself as the long-promised Messiah – I who speak to you am He (Jn.4:26).
Q.4. What mistake in the way that people worship God, did Jesus expose? What are the hallmarks of a true worshipper of God? – (Jn.4:20-26)
Many people today equate worship with external things such as places, buildings, posture, actions, and church denominations. However, Jesus declared real worship to be an exercise of the heart. It is not a thing, but a relationship between God and His people – 23 But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people, the Father seeks to be His worshipers. 24 God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth (Jn.4:23-24). Jesus may well be saying to many who worship today – You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews (Jn.4:22). In this Jesus was not endorsing the worship of the Jews at Jerusalem but was pointing to the Scriptures which prophesied that the Saviour would come out of Judah, from David’s line (c.f. Lk.1:31-33; Rom.9:3-5). The right Gospel and doctrine must not be dismissed (c.f. Gal.1:6-9).