Our service was led by Ian Middlemist, evangelist at Hill Park, who preached from John chapter 4, verse 27-42.

Jesus has shown a love for the Samaritan woman who has faced social barriers. He wants to bridge those barriers. As the Father seeks her she has been offered a spring of water welling up to eternal life. Jesus is more concerned about her heart and the direction of her worship. Ian spoke on three points:

‘Come see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ? (verse 29).

We can see two contrasting responses here. The Samaritan woman exclaimed to the people she met in her community, ‘Come see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ? (verse 29). Jesus reveals Himself.

The second response, from the disciples, was one of surprise that Jesus was talking with a woman. John 2:19 The Saviour is revealing a tremendous truth, ‘Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.’ It is a strange comment, but amazing. How do the disciples respond?  Jesus was speaking of the temple of His body, but they did not understand.

John 3:3 ‘Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.’ Here Jesus reveals spiritual truths, but Nicodemus cannot understand.

John 4:10 ‘If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.’

In John 4:31 we read the response of the disciples, ‘Rabbi, eat.’ They were concerned for His physical welfare. This was a pathetic response to the glory of the Saviour in revealing Himself. Why do scriptures show us this information? There are two or three possible reasons: one may be to show us that without the mighty, powerful work of the Holy Spirit in our lives, we will not see such truths. Our response should be, ‘Come and see.’ It reveals a sense to us that this woman has seen that Christ is the omniscient one who knows all things; He knows the secret details of our lives. Behold Him in faith and you too will be amazed.

The overriding priority:

We read in verses 31-34 that although Jesus is hungry, he takes the opportunity to teach the disciples – serving God by doing His will is the sustenance of His life. Oh that that might be true of you and I, to find ultimate priority in doing the Father’s Will. We can get lost in other exhilarations, caught up in the moment, certain things that become the passion in our lives. Serve God in every duty. The overriding priority for Christ was His work in accomplishing the Father’s will, His last word breathed on the cross. He went all the way to the cross for you and me. Praise Him that the work is finished!

An overriding urgency:

In verses 35-38 Jesus tells the disciples that they are correct that there are four months between sowing and reaping. But look up! The Samaritans are coming. This is the day of harvest. There is a day of opportunity.

Jesus is sower and reaper at the same time – He is in total control. He orchestrates the entire event. Jesus is saying He has sown, but the Samaritan woman has sown to her community and told them boldly, ‘Come see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?

There is much sowing to be done. There are great opportunities today to tell others about Jesus. Whether we find ourselves sowing or reaping, there must be urgency. People need to hear about Jesus Christ from faithful people who know their Bible. The Samaritan woman’s life was changed and her community. Look afresh at the cross. Come and see the Saviour!