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| John 4:39-42 |
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Lesson # John 4:39-42 Study Material - John 4:39-42 You must be in fellowship prior to your Bible study, so that the spiritual information you receive can become a source, of blessing to your soul and produce spiritual growth. John 4:39-42 39 And from that city many of the Samaritans believed in Him because of the word of the woman who testified, 'He told me all the things that I have done.' 40 So when the Samaritans came to Him, they were asking Him to stay with them; and He stayed there two days. 41 And many more believed because of His word; 42 and they were saying to the woman, 'It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves and know that this One is indeed the Savior of the world.' The result of a little conversation with one woman brought an entire town out to see Christ. In town they heard the claims of the woman, 'he told me all that I have done', 'Is he the savior or a prophet?' This is the question going around in their minds. Whatever their specific questions were, they indeed were curious and very positive. If this be the savior, then no time should be lost. Whatever their preconceived ideas might have been regarding Christ's appearance, when they finally saw Him, they were not dissuaded by His appearance as a poor man. Some may have expected a royal setting with grand tents, flowing robes and curtains, with white horses and servants. Some may even have thought that the Christ was tall and handsome and strong. As many people as there were, so the preconceived motions were many as well. But they all saw Jesus, the son of a carpenter. A poor man, not traveling as a prince would travel, but as a poor man would travel. Thus far we have seen a conversation with a woman. A poor and weak woman who spread her story to the town and despite her station in life. We certainly know that in a small town, everyone knows everything about everyone and certainly they would have notions about a woman who had had several husbands and a current live in. How could they not know. But, despite the reputation she probably had in the small town, people listened to her. Her story was short yet caught their interest. What they were interested in was not that someone knew of her background, but that the savior was just outside of town. One woman was spoken to, and many more were led to Christ. So too, in your conversations with perhaps a few individuals, rest assured that your conversation will be carried beyond your initial conversation to others. And you may never know about the spreading of your words. Life goes beyond your immediate periphery and into areas where you cannot see. The disciples were in the town and did not see their interest in God. Jesus saw their interest and used the woman to complete His communication to the towns people. Initially they believed because of the woman's comments, but when they heard Christ, they believed based on His word. Interesting that the Jews who saw His miracles, rejected Him. These people, on the other hand, did not see any of His miracles and asked Him to remain with them for a while. The responsibility of the disciples, one would think, was the communication of the gospel to all they met, but they failed. They took a break and forgot these people, or disregarded them because of prior prejudices concerning Samaritans. Man fails in many ways. We might even think of God only during our Bible study, then the rest of the day or night we get back to business as usual. The mature believer thinks about doctrine often. Recognizing God in all aspects of his daily life and even thinking doctrine in his dreams. The part time believer might think of God a little before his study and perhaps some after. He might even sit back in awe as some point opens his eyes, but only to drift away to other thoughts shortly thereafter. Christ did not rest and does not rest. He is constantly at work in our behalf. We need to wake up and see our spiritual lives all day long and even in the night when we dream. It is easy to dream of sinful activities, wishes, lusts, but we need to get back on track. The disciples were dreamers for a while. They were concerned about Jesus eating, concerned for His health. Dreaming that it was their task to watch over Him and see to His needs. But the reverse is true. God watches over us and sees to our needs. The disciples failed and the town could have been passed by. But God did not fail and those who were positive, heard the gospel and doctrine. The disciples thought of their important positions. Working in the Jordan area and in Galilee. Choosing when and where they would work, and to whom they would talk. Why was Jesus talking to 'that' woman, was what they thought. What business does 'she' have with God? The woman failed in that she was aware of the scriptures, but had the history mixed up. She was dreaming that one day God would come and then tell her what she was to know and do. She could have studied her scriptures, listened to the priests and learned doctrine, but she did not despite the availability of doctrine. She was lazy in her responsibility to learn doctrine. The towns people were failures too. They lived in a place of commerce. People traveled through the town and the gossip must have been spread of the miracles and the savior. Did they go to Jerusalem for the Passover? No. Did they go to seek out the savior? No. But they were positive nonetheless. Just a little on the lazy side of getting with their Bible study program. Man is a failure in general. Left to his own devices, man would pick and choose what he would or would not do, and ultimately screw things up. But God has our best interests in mind and fills in the gaps of our weaknesses. This is grace. God is not prejudiced against one person or another despite their background, their preconceived ideas, or failures. God is interested in what you think, however. Beginning with your attitude toward Christ and your salvation, which is your single most important decision that you could make in your life. That decision determines your entire future. After that, then is your attitude toward doctrine and your spiritual growth. This determines your quality of life now and in eternity. The Jews saw the poor Samaritan and thought ill of her. The Samaritans saw the poor Christ and believed. Christ saw the soul and the future of those who would believe and provided them with the necessary information to make the right decision for their life. 
Now is the time to post a prayer. End Of Lesson Study to show thyself approved (mature) unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing (studying/discerning), the Word of truth. |
