True Food | Sermon 01/15/2023

John 4:27-42

Jesus providentially arrived at Jacob’s well outside a city in Samaria at the time a shamed woman came out to draw water. Jesus offered this woman living water that would never run dry; He offered eternal life. At the supernatural exposure of her messy and sinful life she perceived Him to be a prophet and asked Him about worshipping God in her temple. The scope of those who would be saved would change from one nation to every nation and the ability to worship God would change from one location to in spirit and truth. He then reveals that He is the Christ- I AM.

The disciples then came out to them from the city and Jesus demonstrates that the Gospel is for women as well as men. She leaves her waterpot, symbolically receiving His offer of living water over her own. Listening to the Word [Jesus] is God’s will but so also is acting after hearing. She proclaims to the people of the city that He has supernaturally told her about her deepest secrets and hurts; that the Messiah is by the well. Jesus reveals to the disciples, in the meantime, that although His body is weary for water and food His true food is to do the will of the Father. In that, Christ finds His sustenance. And that’s true for us. Man shall not live by bread alone but by every Word of God. And that Word is His will. This moment is an example to all followers of Christ.

We will find our true purpose, pleasure, and sustenance in doing the will of God. Forsaking natural and carnal impulses for the desires of God is what’s characteristic of the believer. Jesus wants them to wake up and look around. The harvest of eternal life is upon them; the Messianic age of sowing and reaping is here and now… it’s time for them to eat their true food and get to work. The people of Samaria come out and ask Jesus to stay with them. Now upon His Word they believe He is the Savior of the world. And that’s the point John is making in sharing this account: Jesus is not just a Savior of Jews, He is the Savior from the Jews, who saves Jews, Samaritans and even those to the ends of the earth.