Jesus—The Gift of God Is the Truth

Rev. Ed Fredrich March 9, 2020

“God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.” (John: 4:24)

Notice there are quotes around today’s Bible verse, which is part of a conversation Jesus had with a Samaritan woman. It was noon. Jesus had spent the morning walking. He had sent his disciples into town to get some food. At that time, the woman had come to the well to draw water. Jesus was resting from his journey. He asked her for a drink.

This really surprised the woman. Jesus was a Jew and she was a woman and a Samaritan. Many Jewish leaders looked down on women. The Jews and the Samaritans not only didn’t associate with each other, they disliked each other. Jesus offered to give her some “living water.”

He claimed, “The water I will give her will become in her a spring of water, bubbling up to eternal life.” He didn’t have a way to draw water from the well. He certainly didn’t have the means to go to the source of the well and get some spring water directly. She was interested, though, and wanted that water.

In our verse, Jesus was pointing to a time that would be soon accomplished and now is established. He was referring to his upcoming victory after his death and resurrection. In Jesus’ day, both the Jews and the Samaritans thought their temple was the place to find God. The place, however, is not important. What is important is a matter of the heart.

“God is spirit.” He is everywhere. It is not a matter of us finding God. It is Him finding us. That is exactly why Jesus came to this world. He is the One who came to seek and save. The Father knows the condition of our hearts by nature. He knows us better than we know ourselves.

In grace, he established the truth that we need to worship him. We have a thirst and need for perfection. Yet, we can’t attain it by our efforts. As sinners, we always fall short. The truth is Jesus came to lead a perfect life in our place. He also paid the debt of our sins on the cross. That is the wonderful gift of God that we now receive by faith.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, we praise you for coming to this world as the gift of God. Thank you for that refreshing drink of living water that gives us the ability to worship God in spirit and in truth. Amen.