The woman was now interested, but did not appreciate what Jesus was really saying. Jesus then reveals just how much He knows and understands the woman by asking her to bring her husband along. The woman was living with someone, and had had five previous husbands. This could either be a sign of a promiscuous life, or of being badly treated as men could divorce their wives rather easily.
The woman now recognised that Jesus was no ordinary man, and thought He must be a prophet. She then talks about the dispute between the Jews and Samaritans about where one should worship God. People will often retreat into some religious controversy to avoid having to face the issue about themselves and God.
Jesus seeks to raise her view above the controversy. For a time is coming, and indeed was arriving, when the true worship of God would be brought to earth. We are to worship God in Spirit and in truth, Man made religion almost always involves some sort of hypocrisy or deceit, and never really reaches the true spiritual issues.
True worship of God involves a life that is lived in communion with Him, in fellowship with Him, seeking God as the source of life.
Jesus then tells the woman that He is the Messiah. It is interesting that the first overt declaration that He is the Messiah is made to a woman, and to a Samaritan. Note also that the woman apparently had no moral qualities that would have made her "worthy" of receiving this declaration. Jesus came to save the lost. Our past life does is not a hindrance to receiving new life from Jesus. What matters is that we will repent and believe.
The woman now recognised that Jesus was no ordinary man, and thought He must be a prophet. She then talks about the dispute between the Jews and Samaritans about where one should worship God. People will often retreat into some religious controversy to avoid having to face the issue about themselves and God.
Jesus seeks to raise her view above the controversy. For a time is coming, and indeed was arriving, when the true worship of God would be brought to earth. We are to worship God in Spirit and in truth, Man made religion almost always involves some sort of hypocrisy or deceit, and never really reaches the true spiritual issues.
True worship of God involves a life that is lived in communion with Him, in fellowship with Him, seeking God as the source of life.
Jesus then tells the woman that He is the Messiah. It is interesting that the first overt declaration that He is the Messiah is made to a woman, and to a Samaritan. Note also that the woman apparently had no moral qualities that would have made her "worthy" of receiving this declaration. Jesus came to save the lost. Our past life does is not a hindrance to receiving new life from Jesus. What matters is that we will repent and believe.
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