John 4:27-42
Title: The Samaritans
Believe in Christ.
Analysis:
Not
long after Christ witness to the women at the well, the disciples return and
are amazed to see Him speaking with a woman (vs.27). The women was too shocked
by what Jesus had claimed Himself to be so she leaves her water pot and rushes
to the city telling all the people that Jesus could be their long awaited
Messiah.
The
disciples, who were perplexed at this moment, offer Jesus some of the food they
brought back, but he refuses saying in verse 32, “I have food to eat that you
know nothing about.” Jesus was of course speaking of spiritual food or, the
gospel. Just like the Samaritan women the disciples did not understand that He
spoke of obeying His Father who was in Heaven.
Jesus
now enters into dialogue comparing His work on earth to a farmer who must
harvest his crops. He uses the fields surrounding them as a picture of the
harvest that is coming, while also comparing it to the harvest of man’s souls.
At the time of vs. 35 the Lord points out the crowd coming from the town and
compares them to the fields around them. They were ripe for harvest because
Jesus knew their hearts and knew that they would believe in Him. The Lord calls
His disciples to work with Him in evangelizing the people for then they will
have eternal rewards because of their service to Him.
The Samaritans
were genuine believers and John uses them as an example to prove that Jesus was
the Messiah and Son of God. First, the Lord’s interaction with the women at the
well shows that His knowledge of mankind is omniscient, proving that He must be
God. Secondly, the way that she reacted in verses 28-29 by telling the people
of her town that Jesus is the Messiah. Subtly proving that she had believed in
Him. And finally in Verses 41-42 showed that the work of their belief was not
because of another person’s testimony but because of what they had seen and
heard from Christ Himself.
The
people of Samaria were not superficial in their trust of the Saviour. Rather we
read in verse 42, their confession of the Christ which says, “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.”
Response:
As I
read verses 32-34, I was struck by the complete dependence that Jesus Christ
had towards the Father while he was on earth. When Jesus spoke with the
Samaritan women he was receiving more satisfaction and strength that any food
could provide. He was also probably referring to Deut. 8:3 which states, “Man
does not live by bread alone, but man lives by everything that proceeds out of
the mouth of the LORD.” Jesus’s obedience to His Father was food enough for Him
to live upon. And as I think of our Lord's dependence I think that I too can be
dependent upon God. How well do I put my complete trust in Him so that I have
no need of anything else? Do I rest in His very Words, or do I run to something
else to find my security? I know that I must run to Him and depend on Him at
all times.
Blessings,
Lucas C.
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