“For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son ...” John 3:16, GNT

 

In John 4:7-40, we read about the Samaritan woman’s encounter with Jesus. Who is this Jesus that the woman met that day?

 

In our verse for today, Jesus asks her for water to drink and later, his disciple said to him: "Teacher, have something to eat!" (John 4:31). The Bible also tells us something about Jesus’ emotions. In John 11:35, we read that Jesus wept over the death of his friend, Lazarus. He tells his disciples that he loves them and then adds: "I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” (John 15:11) Jesus is fully human – he eats, drinks, cries and is happy.

 

According to the Bible, there is a father-son relationship between Jesus and God the Father. John 3:16 refers to Jesus as God’s only Son. In John 1:1, we read: "In the beginning the Word already existed; the Word was with God, and the Word was God." Everything that has been said about God the Father and Creator in the past few days, also applies to Jesus. He explains his close connection with his Father in John 14:20: "When that day comes, you will know that I am in my Father ..." In John 10:30, Jesus says: "The Father and I are one." The Man at the well was, therefore, not just an ordinary person – he was God himself.

 

The Samaritan woman then told Jesus that she knew that the Messiah was coming. Jesus answered: "I am he, I who am talking with you." (John 4:26) In the Old Testament, there are three groups that are anointed: prophets, priests and kings. In the New Testament, it becomes clear that Jesus, the Messiah – which means anointed – is the perfect Prophet, Priest and King. It is the Messiah – Prophet, Priest and King – who stands before her.

 

The Samaritan woman told the people about the Man at the well. They went to listen to Jesus and believed in him. In John 4:42, we read: "We believe now, not because of what you said, but because we ourselves have heard him, and we know that he really is the Saviour of the world." The Man at the well was the Saviour of the world.

 

Have you chosen to bow the knee to this Man?

 

I believe in Jesus Christ, the Man at the well in Samaria.

 

Prayer: Thank you Jesus for being my Saviour. Amen