In Spirit & Truth

You mean He already knew everything about me, yet He still chose to speak to me?

"I mean, I have a reputation...that's why I don't mix with the people too much- but this was different- He really knew me. He knew things about me that I hadn't ever told anyone- the kind of stuff that kept me hiding from the other women at the well."

These thoughts, I imagine, would probably have been running through the mind of the Samaritan woman at the well.

A woman who:

-didn't have the best reputation in town.

-must have felt so ashamed, evidenced by the time she chose to go to the well.

-was weighed down by her own desires and bound to a life she probably didn't enjoy.

-was probably more used to the whispers behind her back than people actually speaking to her and getting to understand her or help her out of her lifestyle of sin.

That's the woman Jesus purposed to speak to while His disciples went into the town to look for food.

I love this particular story and relate to this woman in many ways- but I'll leave that for another day. Today I want to focus on some key lessons about worship that are revealed in the passage of John 4.

First, let's look at the context of why this encounter was such a big deal. Jews and Samaritans were not exactly the best of friends. There was a long history of animosity between the two- some of which is explained in this article.

The point is that it broke all status quo for Jesus to speak to her. However, what may have seemed odd to the culture at the time, was an intentional act by the Messiah to bring restoration and purpose to this woman who was burdened by the shame of her reputation and lifestyle.

Here are some lessons I picked up about worship from this passage :

1. Worship requires us to know who it is that we worship.

2. True worship is in Spirit and in truth. Apart from the spirit of God, there can be no worship. Apart from truth, there can be no worship. This truth is two fold- the truth about God and truth about ourselves.

3. Worship is not about location or heritage, but it is solely focused on God and bringing glory to Him.

I love how this encounter ends; just look at the scripture below:

"Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?” They came out of the town and made their way toward him. (John 4:28-30)

There is great power in worship and also from testimony. This woman's encounter with Jesus changed her, empowered her, and made her bold enough to return to the people she spent her days hiding from.

It says that many of the Samaritans believed in Jesus because of what the woman said...imagine that! From hiding in she to testifying about Jesus and causing others to believe! That's the power of knowing and encountering Christ. The Samaritans went out to see Jesus and even begged Him to stay a little longer with them.

This story concludes powerfully with the confession of the Samaritans, as shown in the verse below 👇🏾

42 They said to the woman, “We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world.”

Take a moment to reflect on your life's journey so far- can you relate to the woman at the well? Are there areas you find yourself hiding? Perhaps you have a bit of a not-so-great reputation in different circles? Take courage - know that just one encounter with Jesus can change everything!

Whatever feels too messy, bring it before God in sincerity and truth, and ask Him to help you and change you into who He created you to be.

I leave you with this invitation from Jesus- I pray you accept it today.

Jesus replied, “If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water.” (John 4:10).

Till the next one- keep drinking from the living waters.

Love,

Shiku.