John 4 contains
a very interesting conversation between Jesus and a Samaritan woman. This conversation
reveals some important things about Jesus, a few of which we would like to point out in this article.
Jesus knows everything we’ve ever done. Evidently, Jesus had
never met this woman before, but He knew that she had been married to five different husbands, and that the man she had now
was not her husband (John 4:16-19). Later,
when she left the well and went into the city she told the men, “Come, see a man who told me all things I ever did”
(John 4:28). So Jesus knows everything we’ve ever done, including all the
sins we’ve ever committed. He knows every lie we’ve told, every impure
thought we’ve had, every ill word we’ve spoken, etc. We may have
done some things that escaped everyone else’s attention, but Jesus knows all about it.
Since we will one day have to give an account to Jesus (Acts 17:30-31; 2 Corinthians 5:9-10), this should concern us
greatly. But notice carefully the next point…
Jesus can save us from our sins. After this conversation with the
woman, Jesus went into the city and stayed two days, teaching the people. After
hearing Him teach, the people said, “we know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world.” Earlier, John the Baptist had said of Jesus, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the
world” (John 1:29). Yes, Jesus knows our every sin, but He can take those
same sins away.
Jesus can give us what no one else can give us. As we’ve already
seen, He can save us from our past sins, but He can give us so much more. This
conversation between Jesus and the Samaritan woman took place before a well of water, which helps us to understand the following
promise Jesus makes: “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give
him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life” (John 4:13-14). The world can satisfy our temporary needs and desires; only Jesus can satisfy our eternal needs. The world can satisfy the flesh; only Jesus can satisfy the soul.
Who can save us from our past sins, give us grace and mercy in time of need, give us joy, peace, contentment, and ultimately
eternal life? No one but Jesus.
Jesus wants everyone to be saved; He wants everyone to drink of this living water.
That Jesus is talking to a Samaritan woman is significant. Why? According to John 4:9, “Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.” But Jesus had dealings with her; in fact, He was offering her the same blessings He offered everyone else. Remember what the Samaritans learned—that Jesus is the Savior of the world. And note the wording of the promise in John 4:14: “Whoever drinks of this living
water…” Jesus extends His offer of salvation to everyone.
Are you ready to
receive these wonderful blessings offered by Jesus? They’re all yours,
if you come to Him on His terms. You must believe in Him (Mark 16:16; Acts 16:31);
repent of your sins (Acts 2:38; 3:19); confess your faith in Him (Romans 10:9-10; Acts 8:37), and be baptized in water in
the name of Christ for the remission of sins (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; Acts 22:16; 1 Peter 3:21). These are only the first steps of obedience. Continue to serve
Him faithfully (Matthew 10:22; Revelation 2:10), and you will continue to receive the “exceeding riches of His grace”
(Ephesians 2:7).
In our next article
on this subject we will consider the sufferings of Jesus?
