The Good Shepherd, carrying His own.

Jesus is indeed the Savior of the World
John 4:25-30,39-42

† I.H.S. †

May the grace and peace of God be so clear in your life that you declare with the Samaritans, “now we know He is indeed the savior of the world!”

• Woman at the well

She was the first person Jesus to whom Jesus confessed He was the Messiah, the Christ.

He simply said to her, “I am He.”

She wasn’t a princess; she didn’t come from a powerful family major metropolitan city. She wasn’t even married, but so desperate she shacked up with someone who used her, but who could provide a roof over her head.

It turns out she was a princess, the daughter of not just any king, but the King of kings.

Because of that relationship, there were no games with Jesus’ answer. He would play with the Pharisees and Sadducees, never answering their questions, as they weren’t ready for them. She didn’t get a convoluted answer, as Jesus gave Herod and Pilate.

“when He comes…he will explain everything to us…” she said, with hope it might be…

Jesus replied, “I AM he!”

A relationship, long dormant, was formed in that moment, as this lady became someone’s daughter, and realized this man who knew all about her, loved her in a way she never knew she could be loved….

But that is only the beginning…

• Are we blind like the disciples?

There is an interesting reaction by the disciples, that sort of proves how naïve they were.

They ask, “What do you want with her”—at least that is what it translates out to in English. But the word is zeteo—the word for pursuing, it is the word for desiring something from someone.

After all, why would Jesus be talking to “one of them?” Why would He be interested in a lady who was one “their” castoffs?

I struggled with that word desire – and I think I understand why translators didn’t translate it more clearly. Why would you use the word desire, with all the potential mis understandings?

But that is where their sin comes in, as in their minds they are seeing this lady as, well, not a lady. I can leave it there.. right?

They bore false witness against their neighbor – they shattered the 8^th commandment.

And because of that, they couldn’t understand a good reason for Jesus to want to be found in her presence.

They couldn’t understand his desire to reveal who she really was

She was a daughter of the King of Kings

And she proved it…. She went and gathered others who were meant to be God’s.

Leaving her bucket – the reason she was there behind, she went into the village, and invited others to see.
And this is where the gospel story gets interesting….

• Steps to believing

This lady, revealed to be the daughter of the King of King go and gathers everyone in the town. AND THEY LISTEN TO HER AND COME!!!!!

They are so enamored with Jesus that they ask Him to stay with them, and this Jewish Rabbi breaks every rule in the book and does so. He not only dines with heathers, he stays in their homes.

He invests them the very mysteries of God, for hear what happens.

So he stayed for two days, ⁴¹ long enough for many more to hear his message and believe.

They came to trust and depend on Jesus! This crowd of outcasts who weren’t part of the right ethnicity, the right culture, never mind from the right schools of religious thought. Heck – these people wouldn’t even be allowed in the synagogues of Jesus day.

Yet he stayed with them, and they came to trust in Him, for their salvation –for their life, even before the cross!

What’s more – the faith went deep—listen to these incredible words

Then they said to the woman, “Now we believe, not just because of what you told us, but because we have heard him ourselves. Now we know that he is indeed the Savior of the world.”

That word know there—they understand, they comprehend that He is not just the Saviour of the Jews, and not just that of those who are Abraham’s descendants – He is the Savior of the world—He is the savior of all!

They have begun to love and trust in God the way the Lady does, not just because she told them, but because they experienced His love for them. This is remarkable – this is what it is all about – this relationship that God wants with all people – everywhere.

This is the place where every parent should want their children – to know God is their Savior – not just because they said He is, but because they know Him. This is what every pastor wants of every person, not just in their church but their community—for every person to know Jesus, to experience His love, to be relived by His mercy.

TO experience the love of God, to experience how much He cares and He lifts your burdens off of you, as He cleanses you, as the Spirit dwells within you… this is what you need to know of Jesus.

To have that relationship with God that we encourage each other in, yet which is so intimate and shared with the Father who calls us His children, with Jesus who calls us His brothers and sisters and friends. With the Spirit who ministers to us in a way that is beyond words. TO know Jesus wants to have this relationship with everyone, no matter the depth of their sin – it can happen…

To have you depend on God – not just because I and the elders tell you about Him, but because you know Him… and knowing Him, lets us praise Him… forever!  AMEN!