John 4:27-54
Q.1. How did the witness of the woman of Samaria compare with that of Christ’s disciples? What is the challenge of the insights Jesus shared about reaping? – (Jn.4:27-38)
The disciples bought into the culture of the day, so believed that … Jesus should not have been talking to a woman, especially a woman of doubtful reputation, and most especially a woman of the Samaritan race. They were hungry. The last thing on their minds was evangelism (Jn.4:27 c.f. Jn.4:9). However, the woman of Samaria was so impacted by Jesus that she would not stop testifying of Him, while asking the challenging question – Surely this is the Christ (Jn.4:29). Jesus was far more interested in doing the Father’s will, than focusing on food. He explained – “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to accomplish His work (Jn.4:34 c.f. Jn.4:31-32). He exposed their failure to understand the Heavenly reality, that the fields of evangelism were ready to be harvested (Jn.4:35). The woman was reaping, while Jesus’ disciples were only interested in food. He told them – Already he who reaps is receiving wages and is gathering fruit for life eternal; so that he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together (Jn.4:36). He reminded them of His mission – I sent you to reap that for which you have not laboured; others have laboured and you have entered into their labour.” (Jn.4:38). We may do many good things in ministry, but we must never lose sight of the key issue of the need for people to be saved.
Q.2. What kind of reception did Jesus receive from the Samaritans and Galileans? Why was Jesus cautious about the response of His home town? – (Jn.4:39-45)
The Samaritans were very responsive to the testimony of the changed woman. They declared – … It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves and know that this One is indeed the Saviour of the world (Jn.4:42). They got the real message about the Saviour. Jesus happily stayed with them for two more days (Jn.4:43). When He returned to Galilee, He lamented that – … a prophet has no honour in his own country (Jn.4:44 c.f. Lk.4:24; Jn.2:24-25). The Galileans received Him because of His signs (Jn.4:45-46). However, these signs were pointing to His Messiahship. Jesus stated – … “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you simply will not believe.” (Jn.4:48). Even though initially these people flocked to Jesus, unfortunately it was mostly for the wrong reason … so they missed recognizing that Jesus was indeed the Messiah.
Q.3. How did the comment of Jesus in verse 48 relate to the place of this miracle? Did the healing of the royal official’s son have the right impact? – (Jn.4:46-54)
There was nothing wrong with the nobleman’s urgent plea (Jn.4:46-47). The comment of Jesus was directed against the crowds who had returned because He had turned water into wine. They were only interested in signs and wonders (c.f. Jn.2:1-11, 23-25). Their response was shallow. Before dealing with the nobleman’s plight, Jesus challenged the crowd’s basis of belief (Jn.4:48). The nobleman had travelled for two days to reach Jesus. He was not like them. Upon being told by Jesus that his son was healed and alive – the man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him (Jn.4:50). His faith was strengthened after hearing that his son had been healed at the exact time when Jesus had made His promise (Jn.4:52-53). The nobleman and his whole household then became firm believers (Jn.4:53). They got the real message of the sign. John recorded it as the second sign which revealed that Jesus was indeed the Christ, the Son of God (Jn.4:54 c.f. Jn.2:11; 20:30-31).