Highlights In Today's Reading:
Ever wonder who Jesus really is? Read on!! The Living Water (4:5-14); The Great Physician (4:46 — 5:16); God (5:17-31). Confirmed by many witnesses: (1) John the Baptist (5:33-35); (2) His works (5:36); (3) The Father (5:37-38); (4) Scripture (5:39-47). Worship Him in Spirit and in Truth (4:23-24).
The Samaritans date back about 750 years prior to Jesus' ministry. The poor Jews left behind in Israel from the Assyrian captivity had intermarried with Gentiles that were brought in by the Assyrians. But Jesus and His disciples left Judaea, and departed again into Galilee. . . . through Samaria (4:3-4). Weary from walking about 40 miles, Jesus sat down to rest at Jacob's Well while His disciples went to the village to buy food. It was no coincidence in the purpose of God that, while He sat there, a Samaritan woman came to draw water. This meeting was the real reason Jesus went through Samaria on His way to Galilee. Jesus, the Son of God, knew and cared about the needs of a Samaritan woman and her people.
Jesus' great compassion for all sinners prompted Him to ask the woman for a drink of water (4:7). Surprised, she asked: How is it that Thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans. Jesus answered . . . If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give Me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of Him, and He would have given thee Living Water (4:9-10).
Jesus continued: Whosoever drinketh of the Water that I shall give him shall never thirst. . . . The woman saith . . . Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not (4:13-15)?
It was time now for the Lord to cause this woman to truly see the answer to her great need, so He saith unto her, Go, call thy husband. . . . The woman answered . . . I have no husband. Jesus said . . . thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband (4:16-18). The woman saith . . . I know that (when the) Messias cometh, which is called Christ . . . He will tell us all things. Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am He (4:25-26)..
She recognized Him as the Messiah. Her growing faith saw in Him an authoritative Revealer of Truth: He will tell us all things. She then became a missionary of Jesus to her countrymen. She left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men, Come, see a Man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ? (John 4:28-29).
Thought for Today:
Give thanks unto the Lord, call upon His Name, make known His deeds among the people (I Chr. 16:8).
Word Studies:
4:6 sixth hour =b> noon by Jewish time and 6 pm by Roman time; 5:21 quickeneth them =b> gives them life.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for International Broadcasts sponsored by Iva Jo Swinsburg • Staff: Dr. John A. Hash • Country: Jamaica (3 million) in the West Indies • Major languages: English and Creole • Religious freedom • 78% Protestant; 10% Roman Catholic; 7% Afro-American spiritist • Prayer Suggestion: Cry out to God daily for mercy (Ps. 86:3).
Memory Verse for the Week: Matthew 16:24
