It's a New Day Part 3
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Messiah Makes the Difference
Messiah Makes the Difference
John 4:7-26
Everyday people are looking for something to make a difference in their lives. They look to everything from relationships to wealth to make a difference in how they feel about who they are. And when the things of this world and flesh fail them, they lose hope and seek other means for meaning. But folks, the flesh always fails you. The only place to find true meaning is in Messiah.
This woman was not just coming to the well for water. She gives us a clue in her response to Jesus speaking of “Living Water”.
The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water, so that I will not be thirsty or have to come here to draw water.”
She was weary of coming to this well. This was the social media site of the day. This is where you come to catch another man. This was a well that God gave to Jacob and caused water to flow. But even this natural water could not quench her thirsting soul.
There is so much to glean from this conversation. But I want to focus on Jesus’ next command to her. Now, to most, you might see this as a suggestion to her. But it is indeed a command.
Jesus said to her, “Go, call your husband, and come here.”
Jesus is about to not just prophecy about her life and living conditions. He is about to reveal to her what is missing in her that makes all the difference. She is about to encounter a new day. The first real day of her life.
On the P’shat, or surface level, you might only conclude that he is making reference to ‘Ish אִישׁ meaning a male. But Jesus is actually making a reference to another word for “husband” that is lost here in the Greek. He is making reference to the Hebrew word b’l בעל. In the Greek mindset Jesus would have simply been talking about someone of the male gender. But in the Hebrew He is talking, not about feelings and natural descriptive terms, He is talking about the Creators intent and eternal purpose.
For your Maker is your husband, the Lord of hosts is his name; and the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer, the God of the whole earth he is called.
When Jesus asks here to go get her husband she replies in verse 17, “I have no husband,” And look at Jesus’ response, “You are right in saying, ‘I have no husband.’”
Church, the entire conversation is about covenant with the God of Israel and the Creator of all men. Jesus is not just on a mission to proselytize a Samaritan woman but to redeem the entire created order. Jesus is opening her eyes to who He is and why He has come. And this revelation will radically transform her as it will you.
Jesus is telling her, “Indeed you are far from your husband who is you Maker, the Lord of hosts is his name; the Holy One of Israel your redeemer, the God of the whole earth. You are far from Him. And I have come to make a way and call you back to Him this day. This day is not about water in this well. This day is the beginning of the eternality of your life.”
for you have had five husbands, and the one you now have is not your husband. What you have said is true.”
Basically, he is pointing out that she has come for another trying to fulfill the void in her soul. He goes on to tell her, “Indeed you have sought redemption, purpose and healing for your soul through many different husbands none of which could satisfy your brokenness. And even to this day, you have no true husband.”
You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews.
In verse 22, Jesus tells her that she worships (d’rash דָּרַשׁ seeks with care; has set her intentions upon; made supplication to) many husbands (ish). And even the one she is with now she does not sha’cha שָׁחָה surrender to in covenant.
Jesus says, “You worship what you do not know (yada ידע have intimate knowledge and communication with). Jesus is revealing her lack of intimacy with the God she says she worships. You cannot become intimate with a holy God void of covenant with Him. Even in a marriage, if both do not understand covenant (whose designer is God), then they will never become one, they will also be two.
Her response reveals that she wants to understand but something is holding her back.
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.”
Oh, she is so close. She reveals a desire and longing to know the true Messiah. She knows only He can make her whole inside. Only He can restore her brokenness. If only He would come and she could encounter Him and know Him.
Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am he.”
Friends, He has come. He is here even now. No matter how many times you have been to the well, He never runs dry. Messiah makes all the difference. Let Him make the difference in you today.
