John 4:21-26 (NLT) Jesus replied, “Believe me, dear woman, the time is coming when it will no longer matter whether you worship the Father on this mountain or in Jerusalem. [22] You Samaritans know very little about the one you worship, while we Jews know all about him, for salvation comes through the Jews. [23] But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way. [24] For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.” [25] The woman said, “I know the Messiah is coming—the one who is called Christ. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.” [26] Then Jesus told her, “I AM the Messiah!”
A few things that really stick out to me In John’s Gospel and story of the Samaritan woman at the well is that she is the first person to whom Jesus openly reveals himself as Messiah. This is also the longest private conservation Jesus had with anyone in the New Testament (John 4:7-26).
This is significant in a few ways:
Jesus is a Jew, and the woman is a Samaritan and their groups of people do not ever mix with each other so to even acknowledge a Samaritan is a big deal.
Not only does Jesus acknowledge her he provides to have the longest private conversation with anyone in the New Testament.
When he reveals himself as the Messiah, he uses the title “I AM” this is the Old Testament word for God and so Jesus by saying I AM the Messiah is Himself claiming to also be God.
Prayer: Dear God. Thank you that Your love crosses all cultural barriers. Help me to cross barriers to tells others that Jesus is the Messiah. In Christ's name. Amen.
Paul Voigt