The woman said to him, “Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet. Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you say that in Jerusalem is the place where people ought to worship.” Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” The woman said to him, “I know that Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ). When he comes, he will tell us all things.” Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am he.”
Comment: (from yesterday) – How could this Jewish stranger know her hidden story? She calls Jesus a prophet but emphasises the different theological backgrounds between Samaritans and Jews. Later, after Jesus has spoken, she acknowledges that both were expecting God to send a Messiah.
And what did Jesus say? i) the Jewish understanding was the right one. ii) The essence of true worship recognizes that God is ‘spirit’ (not just ritualistic acts), and true worship is at the spiritual level. iii) He announced Himself as the Messiah, the Christ sent from God…….How will she handle that?
Comment: We are coming near to the time that we celebrate Jesus’ birth. Help us to more fully grasp what this is all about, O, Father.
As I read it! 