Confusion and Refusal

Scriptural Readings:  John 4:5-24

In making decisions, we sometimes have confusion, and this is natural and normal. Advantages and disadvantages are overwhelming. The human laws and principles that we believe and guide us are another thing added to the difficulties in making one conclusion. But then again, we have to make a choice. 

King James Version

John 4 

v.5 Then cometh he to a city of Samaria, which is called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph.

v.6 Now Jacob’s well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with [his] journey, sat thus on the well: [and] it was about the sixth hour.

v.7 There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink.

v.8 (For his disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat.)

v.9 Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.

v.10 Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.

New Living Translation

John 4 

v.5 Eventually he came to the Samaritan village of Sychar, near the field that Jacob gave to his son Joseph.

v.6 Jacob’s well was there; and Jesus, tired from the long walk, sat wearily beside the well about noontime.

v.7 Soon a Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, “Please give me a drink.”

v.8 He was alone at the time because his disciples had gone into the village to buy some food.

v.9 The woman was surprised, for Jews refuse to have anything to do with Samaritans. She said to Jesus, “You are a Jew, and I am a Samaritan woman. Why are you asking me for a drink?”

v.10 Jesus replied, “If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water.”

“If you only knew …. 

What is happening today for most of us Christians is to miss entirely what our Lord Jesus Christ is telling us. The answer of Jesus “If you only knew… means we have no idea of what we are doing, or we miss entirely what He wants us to know and do. We tend to see His response to us is in a worldly view and manner. Just like the woman, her response is about the relationship between Jews and  Samaritans which refers to her beliefs and norms in life which are natural and can be wrong or right. All of us, one way or the other experienced this. So, what happens, we become confused, frustrated, and later on, refuse or accept the options with uncertainties given to us. Right?

What matters is the spiritual essence! What Jesus is telling the woman obviously is spiritual, but she sees it in a worldly view and its consequences. Most of us Christians see the way the Samaritan lady sees. We have seen the answer as the world sees it, giving us a lot of questions, making our lives more miserable, leaving behind the most important thing the spiritual essence. 

King James Version

v.11 The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water?

v.12 Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle?

New Living Translation

v.11 “But sir, you don’t have a rope or a bucket,” she said, “and this well is very deep. Where would you get this living water?

v.12 And besides, do you think you’re greater than our ancestor Jacob, who gave us this well? How can you offer better water than he and his sons and his animals enjoyed?”

This is another situation. Still holding on to her worldly views, she asked Jesus if He has some things to get the living water from the very deep well, and even dared to ask Him if He can offer better than their ancestor Jacob? Isn’t that sometimes, we asked for bigger things from God so that we will also share bigger things? Sounds logical? Right? Are there any spiritual essences? Let us not make decisions quickly. Let God be the judge.

King James Version

v.13 Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again:

v.14  But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

New Living Translation

v.13 Jesus replied, “Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again.

v.14 But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.”

Jesus will never stop until we get the whole idea. He will continue until we get it right, and with no doubt. His instructions will flow in our spirit, soul, and body as we continue learning His words and live spiritually. 

King James Version

v.15 The woman saith unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw.

v.16 Jesus saith unto her, Go, call thy husband, and come hither.

v.17  The woman answered and said, I have no husband. Jesus said unto her, Thou hast well said, I have no husband:

v.18 For thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: in that saidst thou truly.

v.19 The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet.

v.20 Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.

v.21 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father.

v.22 Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.

v.23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.

v.24 God [is] a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship [him] in spirit and in truth.

New Living Translation

v.15 “Please, sir,” the woman said, “give me this water! Then I’ll never be thirsty again, and I won’t have to come here to get water.”

v.16 “Go and get your husband,” Jesus told her.

v.17 “I don’t have a husband,” the woman replied. Jesus said, “You’re right! You don’t have a husband—

v.18 for you have had five husbands, and you aren’t even married to the man you’re living with now. You certainly spoke the truth!”

v.19 “Sir,” the woman said, “you must be a prophet.

v.20 So tell me, why is it that you Jews insist that Jerusalem is the only place of worship, while we Samaritans claim it is here at Mount Gerizim, where our ancestors worshiped?”

v.21 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.

v.22 You Samaritans know very little about the one you worship, while we Jews know all about him, for salvation comes through the Jews.

v.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.

v.24 For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.”

Finally, Jesus has to make things for us, as always. For the woman to get the spiritual message, Jesus made her know who she is, and so do we. We have to go to the very core of what life is. Jesus the son of the living God, tells us who we are and what must be done. God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.”  Approaching God is not impossible. We are the temple of the Holy Spirit! We can exalt God at any time and in any place. We are not restricted to a place or a time limit to praise and glorify Him. As we pray and worship Him in truth, confusion and uncertainties disappear from us. They will be replaced with truth and confidence. All glory to our God and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!