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INTRODUCTION
Tuesday Jeannette and I had lunch with Phil and Mimi Bjorklund of WorldVenture. They are
traveling full-time in the midwest recruiting workers for WorldVenture in their new RV mobile
office. It is a 5th wheel trailer pulled by a Volvo semi tractor. A very impressive
rig. Phil and Mimi believe some central truths, as I hope we do too, found in text today of
John 4:35 “Behold I say to you, lift up your eyes and look on the fields, that they are
white for harvest.” Because v. 42, Jesus is indeed “The Savior of the World.”
We will conclude the story of the Samaritan Woman at the well. This is our 6th
message from this encounter. Let us look at the characters of this story - the disciples, the
woman herself, and the towns people of Sychar and how their faith in Jesus Christ grew - in
Samaria of all places.
1. The Disciples Faith Broadened? vs. 27-38 (28-30 - the woman)
- They returned from getting food in town and were shocked that Jesus was talking to a
woman, violation of social norms. In Judaism for a rabbi to talk to a woman was at
best a waste of time and at worse a distraction from studying the Torah. That she was
a Samaritan was even worse, and had they really known what kind of woman she truly
was - probably would be appalled that their rabbi would even strike up a conversation.
- Yet while they were thinking their thoughts, no one dared say a word. They knew
already Jesus broke the mold, wasn’t your traditional rabbi, had compassion for
anybody - compassion they couldn’t grasp yet.
- After the woman leaves her waterpot and runs to town to tell everyone, the intervening
minutes became a teaching moment for stunned disciples.
- Disciples begin by telling Jesus to eat. Jesus said He has food. How?
- But that is not Jesus is talking about. Deut. 8:3 “Man does not live by
bread along, but man lives by everything that proceeds from the mouth of the
Lord.”
- v. 34. Jesus gives His job description - to do the Father’s will. v. 36 He was
to be gathering fruit for eternal life. He ultimately accomplished that on the cross
“It is finished.” That day, it was His Father’s will to speak to the
Samaritan Woman - divine appointment. She needed eternal life.
- Jesus used the illustration that while the harvest of grain was four months away, they
could look around and see the young plants growing in the fields not ready for harvest
yet. But the spiritual harvest was already around them here and now. You almost can
picture while Jesus said this, people were streaming out from Sychar to meet Jesus.
“You don’t have to wait until we get to Galilee to win souls, they are
right here right now.”
- The disciples faith was broadened - reached beyond the Jews to now Samaritans and
anyone who needed eternal life. They could participate with joy in the fruit of the
harvest for eternal life. Some sow, others harvest - and here they were ready to take
in a harvest in Samaria.
- You can sow or you can harvest. You don’t have to go overseas to be a
missionary - fields around us here. Just sow the seed, and/or reap.
- Mark IV Ministry is coming this weekend. Their theme text is Mark 4:14 “The
Sower sows the word.”
- Do you sow the Word? Can you see the harvest around you?
2. The Woman’s Faith Blossoms
- Notice the progression of her understanding about Jesus: First she calls him a Jew
v. 9. Then she hints that He might be greater than Jacob v. 12. Then
she calls him a prophet v. 19. Finally, The Messiah (Christ)? v. 29.
- She couldn’t miss the truth before her. Vs. 25-26 important response by
her and answer by Jesus. v. 26 “He” is not in text. An
“I am” passage 23 times in John, Jesus says:
“I am.“ O.T covenant name. Exodus 3:14.
- Jesus is who He said He was - All powerful God, Anointed One. Only place before His
trial where Jesus says He is the Messiah, and He speaks it to a Samaritan of all
people.
- So profound was the impact upon her, she had to tell someone, in fact the whole town.
Her hurry in dropping water pot and telling the town was evidence that her conversion
was genuine, thirst satisfied.
- I know we have people here (men and women) whose faith stories are like hers. An
outsider who meet Jesus and everything changes. Can you identify with the woman at the
well? Or, like me, do you identify with Nicodemus?
3. The Town’s Faith Begins vs. 39-42
- Her statement to the town’s men was a question? They should check out the
possibility of who this man really is. As a woman, especially with her reputation,
what right did she have to tell the men anything?
- The town responded with a sizeable crowd going all the way out to check this stranger
out. Samaritans did believe a Messiah was coming, and upon hearing her testimony and
checking Jesus themselves, they clearly agreed. v.40 “came to
Jesus” = kept coming out to Jesus.
- Salvation comes only to those who recognize their desperate need for spiritual life.
Living water can only be received by those who realize they are spiritually thirsty -
they did. Salvation comes to those who confess and repent of their sin and desire
forgiveness. Then salvation comes to those who embrace Jesus Christ as their Messiah
and sin bearer - they did. Salvation is found in no ONE else John 14:6; Acts
4:12
- There is no second hand salvation, only first: v. 42 “we have heard...
know!” We see in just two days: “many believed” v. 39
“many more believed” v. 41 Because of her story, many are believing
today.
- Jesus IS “THE Savior of the world” 2 Cor. 5:19; 1 John 4:14
- Through this conversation with this non-Jewish woman, Jesus gave an entire non-Jewish
village the opportunity to receive salvation. In so doing, He set the precedent for
the worldwide impact of His saving work. As John the Baptist had earlier exclaimed:
“Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” 1:29.
You and I are part of that world!
CONCLUSION
Is Jesus your Savior? Do you know anyone who needs Jesus?
We have Mark IV Ministry coming this weekend. They are evangelists. Please let people know
about them. You can sow by inviting, telling your story, serving people. You might even be
able to harvest some souls.
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