EXPLORING JOHN'S GOSPEL

Chapter 4: John 4

Jesus and the Woman of Samaria

Read John 4:1-42.

Most people in Jesus’ country looked down on the Samaritans, but Jesus loved everybody.  He treated the rich, the poor, and people of different races all alike.

The woman of Samaria was very different from Nicodemus.  Nicodemus was a good man, but he had to believe in Jesus before he could have eternal life.  This woman was not good.  Jesus knew that she was a bad woman, but He wanted to save her.  Like Nicodemus, she too was saved by believing in Jesus.

Jesus let her know that He could give her the water of life – what she needed to satisfy the thirst of her spirit.  In the Gospel of John, the word “life” is used at least 36 times.  Of these, it is joined 17 times with the word “eternal.”  We have learned that Jesus “had life in himself” (John 1:4); that those who believe in Jesus are born again and have eternal life (John 3:5, 3:15, 3:16, 3:36); that Jesus gives the water of life to those who accept it (John 4:14).

She spoke of her own customs of worship.  Jesus said that places and customs of worship were not the most important things.  What was important was that  God is Spirit and people should worship Him as He really is.

Church membership and religious customs alone will not please God.  God is never satisfied unless worship is true worship and spiritual worship.  True worship must be what the Bible teaches.  Spiritual worship must be sincere and according to the Holy Spirit.

The woman knew that Jesus was no ordinary man because He told her everything that she had done.  When Jesus let her know that He was the Savior that God had promised to send into the world, she believed Him.  She ran back to her village to tell all the people about Jesus.  When she told them that the Messiah had come to their town, they hurried to the well to meet Him.

Jesus stayed with them two days, teaching them the ways of salvation.  The people said, “We believe now, not because of what you have said, but because we ourselves have heard him and we know that he is really the Savior of the world.”

We must each one believe in Jesus and meet Him ourselves.  The people first heard of Jesus from the woman.  That was not enough.  Perhaps you have heard of Jesus from your parents, your pastor, from a friend.  But it is not enough just to hear about Jesus from others or to study about Him.  You must meet Jesus personally in prayer and believe in Him as your own Savior.

For You to Do

1  Memorize John 4:24.

2  What did the villagers say about Jesus after He taught them?
            a)  He was a good man who gave water to thirsty people.
            b)  He was the Savior of the world.
            c)  He was a prophet who knew all about people.

3  To be accepted by God, you must
            a)  personally believe in Jesus as your own Savior.
            b)  be born of Christian parents.
            c)  hear about Jesus from a pastor or a friend.

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Jesus Heals an Official's Son

Read John 4:43-54

Have you ever asked Jesus to heal someone?  An official asked Jesus to heal his son.  Jesus did not go to the boy.  He only told the father that the boy would get well, and the father believed the words of Jesus.  It is a wonderful thing to know that Jesus still has the same power that He always had.  We may be healed of sickness just by praying and believing Jesus’ words.

For You to Do

4  How did Jesus heal the son of the government official?
            a)  He sent some medicine.
            b)  He made a magical charm.
            c)  He said the boy would get well, and the father believed.

Check Your Answers

2  b)  He was the Savior of the world.

            4  c)  He said the boy would get well, and the father believed

3  a)  personally believe in Jesus as your own Savior.

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Go to Chapter 5: God