“…the true worshipers shall worship the Father in Spirit and in truth.” John 4:23
Dear Ones:
In John’s gospel, we find the story of a woman who had had five husbands, and was living with a man who was not her husband. The evident fact revealed in the life of this woman was that she was not satisfied, did not have peace, and certainly did not have a real relationship with God. When the Lord Jesus addressed the woman by a well, He addressed her “thirst,” and then speaks of His provision of a well of living water, which she did not possess. “Whosoever drinks of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst,” (4:14), and “…the water that I give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” By Jesus’ words, He elevates this thirsty, dissatisfied woman, into the realm of the eternal, beyond that which is possible with man, to that which can be realized by God. It is very clear by what occurs after these words that the woman did NOT know her own need. Indeed, she had been trying for years to satisfy that need by a means that was ineffective, and, from a spiritual standpoint, completely devoid of means and power. It is then, by her own admission, that perhaps the answer resided in “religion,” although she did not know how. She begins to reveal what she knows about worship, saying that the Jews believe that Jerusalem was the place to properly worship God. It is then that the Lord Jesus “preaches” her a sermon, the importance of which is not only monumental, but essential if the soul of any man, or woman, is to meet God, and KNOW the satisfying effect of living water in the heart. What did He say?
He begins with an appeal to the woman’s heart to trust Him: “Woman, believe Me.” Without faith in Jesus according to what He says, there will be no resounding effect in the woman’s heart. The second thing He addresses is the false concepts concerning worship, and the reason for which God is NOT real to the woman. It is also the reason for which the woman is like a boat on a constantly moving sea, with nowhere to put down an anchor. She is carried away by empty traditions and false religious concepts. The Lord Jesus then goes directly to the primary issue at hand, that of the true worship of God. Why? It is because one of the fruits of true worship is the true, and very real, personal revelation of God to the heart of the worshiper. What does Jesus tell her?
He declares to her, “You know not what you worship.” The woman’s concepts of God were erroneous. She thought that there was salvation somewhere else other than from God’s chosen people, Israel. Jesus would clarify this: “…salvation is of the Jews.” (v.22) Secondly, the Lord Jesus will speak to her of true worship, that which applies to every individual, and is specifically directed to the Father. That which He presents to her is NOT the Jewish religion, but the God of the Jews, the God of Abraham and of Moses. Essential to this true worship are two elements, and in this order: the Spirit and the truth. Why? God ALONE by His Spirit can enable us to worship Him as we ought. Absolute dependence upon, and submission to Him, are essential if there would be true worship. With regard to truth, God cannot and will not be worshiped otherwise. He is the God of truth, and will accept no worship of Himself other than by, and according to the truth of Him and His ways.
The culminating point of Jesus’ dealings with the woman is seen when He brings her face to face with who He is, in truth. The woman speaks of the Messiah, “which is called Christ,” declaring,”..when He comes, He will tell us all things,” (v.25) to which Jesus will respond: “I that speak to you am He.” (v.26)
Dear Father, Teach us to worship Thee in Spirit and truth, partaking of the Lord Jesus, our Living Water. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad