WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:12.560 Throughout the Gospels, we read that Jesus routinely acted in ways that were culturally shocking and even provocative, especially for a Jewish rabbi. 00:00:13.240 --> 00:00:23.480 The religious leaders of the Jews, as we've already talked about this morning, tried to enforce a strict ceremonial code and code of purity on the people. 00:00:23.480 --> 00:00:33.259 Yet, Jesus publicly embraced and identified with those whom the religious leaders of their day routinely considered unclean. 00:00:34.240 --> 00:00:37.939 This was unusual. This was shocking, provocative. 00:00:38.679 --> 00:00:42.920 In fact, it actually built up quite a bit of animosity against him. 00:00:43.900 --> 00:00:49.140 Jesus was known to physically touch leprous people. 00:00:49.140 --> 00:00:56.120 He enjoyed meals with people who were considered to be the lowest of society. 00:00:56.420 --> 00:01:02.020 He showed compassion not only on the Jews, he showed compassion on Gentiles as well. 00:01:03.939 --> 00:01:13.519 Because of this unusual behavior, Jesus eventually became known by his detractors as the friend of sinners. 00:01:13.740 --> 00:01:15.079 We see that in Luke chapter 7. 00:01:15.579 --> 00:01:16.740 They called him the friend of sinners. 00:01:16.739 --> 00:01:19.379 Of course, they didn't mean that as a compliment. 00:01:20.219 --> 00:01:23.560 They meant that as an insult, not a praise. 00:01:23.919 --> 00:01:31.419 But it is actually a wonderful way, a wonderful way of describing the person and the work of Jesus Christ. 00:01:31.719 --> 00:01:36.919 He truly is, in every sense of that phrase, the friend of sinners. 00:01:36.920 --> 00:01:50.099 Now, it is important for us to at least understand that Jesus, the friend of sinners, does not show kindness and compassion in order to affirm people in their sin. 00:01:50.840 --> 00:01:57.680 He shows kindness and compassion in order that he might rescue them from their sins. 00:01:58.099 --> 00:02:00.560 We see this all throughout the New Testament as well. 00:02:00.560 --> 00:02:08.840 In Luke chapter 19 and verse 10, after being criticized for entering the house of a chief tax collector named Zacchaeus. 00:02:08.979 --> 00:02:11.120 Maybe you heard that story as a kid. 00:02:11.199 --> 00:02:11.719 You sang this song. 00:02:12.319 --> 00:02:15.219 Zacchaeus was a wee little man and a wee little man was he. 00:02:15.259 --> 00:02:15.879 Do you know that song? 00:02:16.900 --> 00:02:18.780 We're going to teach Gus that song soon. 00:02:19.039 --> 00:02:20.400 So Gus can sing that song with us. 00:02:21.159 --> 00:02:22.640 Zacchaeus was a chief tax collector. 00:02:22.740 --> 00:02:23.379 People hated him. 00:02:23.400 --> 00:02:24.680 He had extorted the people. 00:02:24.780 --> 00:02:25.360 He robbed them. 00:02:25.360 --> 00:02:35.120 Jesus actually has dinner with them and everybody gets really upset about that because they didn't like that Jesus was spending his time with people like Zacchaeus. 00:02:35.120 --> 00:02:45.300 And in response to that, Jesus says that his entire purpose in coming was to seek and to save those who are lost. 00:02:46.580 --> 00:02:51.000 So he doesn't show kindness and compassion to Zacchaeus in order to say, 00:02:51.200 --> 00:02:52.360 Oh, Zacchaeus, it's okay. 00:02:52.500 --> 00:02:53.460 They're just a bunch of haters. 00:02:53.560 --> 00:02:54.820 You just keep doing what you're doing. 00:02:54.819 --> 00:02:55.840 You be you. 00:02:56.479 --> 00:02:57.819 That's not why Jesus shows kindness. 00:02:58.739 --> 00:03:04.079 Jesus shows kindness to Zacchaeus in order that he might rescue Zacchaeus in order that he might save him. 00:03:05.319 --> 00:03:12.099 On another occasion, Jesus was having dinner with a group of tax collectors and sinners and prostitutes. 00:03:13.039 --> 00:03:14.659 The Pharisees noticed this. 00:03:15.000 --> 00:03:16.459 They didn't like that very much either. 00:03:16.759 --> 00:03:18.959 And they criticized Jesus for doing that. 00:03:19.019 --> 00:03:20.699 And here's what he said in response. 00:03:20.699 --> 00:03:24.139 Those who are well have no need for a physician. 00:03:24.819 --> 00:03:26.379 Only those who are sick. 00:03:27.379 --> 00:03:32.539 And he says, I came not to call the righteous, but to call sinners. 00:03:33.280 --> 00:03:34.620 He's the friend of sinners. 00:03:34.620 --> 00:03:48.539 Now, our culture insists that to be a true friend, to be a loving friend, you must accept and affirm everything that a person says and everything that a person does, regardless of whether or not you agree with it. 00:03:48.539 --> 00:03:51.620 Jesus actually shows us a better way, though, doesn't he? 00:03:51.620 --> 00:04:03.840 According to Jesus, loving friendship shows kindness and mercy while also calling those people that you love to turn away from their sin and unbelief. 00:04:03.840 --> 00:04:06.280 That's why Jesus is the friend of sinners. 00:04:06.360 --> 00:04:11.439 That's what we see characteristic of his life and his ministry in the New Testament. 00:04:11.439 --> 00:04:25.120 And the text that we're examining today here in John chapter 4 on this friend day records one of the most incredible interactions with Jesus and someone else. 00:04:25.879 --> 00:04:31.319 The story's commonly referred to as the woman at the well, simply, is what we normally call it. 00:04:31.319 --> 00:04:38.399 I think there's a better way to describe it, and it's the title of the message today, Encountering the Friend of Sinners. 00:04:39.060 --> 00:04:40.420 Encountering the Friend of Sinners. 00:04:41.319 --> 00:04:46.000 The text, as you just saw when we read it, it shows the Lord's compassionate heart. 00:04:46.000 --> 00:04:51.959 It reveals what takes place when he confronts us, each of us. 00:04:52.800 --> 00:05:05.560 And my prayer leading up to this day and even now as we begin is that through this text, you too will have a life-transforming encounter with Jesus, the Friend of Sinners. 00:05:05.959 --> 00:05:07.899 Here's the first thing I want you to see in the text. 00:05:08.339 --> 00:05:11.600 Jesus crosses traditional boundaries. 00:05:12.459 --> 00:05:14.220 Jesus crosses traditional boundaries. 00:05:14.220 --> 00:05:15.800 Look again with me at verse number one. 00:05:15.800 --> 00:05:24.960 Now when Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard that he was making and baptizing more disciples than John, although Jesus himself did not baptize but only his disciples, 00:05:25.860 --> 00:05:28.060 he left Judea and departed again for Galilee. 00:05:28.540 --> 00:05:30.319 And he had to pass through Samaria. 00:05:31.139 --> 00:05:36.660 So he came to a town of Samaria called Sychar near the field that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. 00:05:37.220 --> 00:05:38.300 Jacob's well was there. 00:05:38.460 --> 00:05:43.100 So Jesus, wearied as he was from his journey, was sitting beside the well. 00:05:43.639 --> 00:05:45.199 It was the sixth hour. 00:05:45.800 --> 00:05:52.319 Now these verses right here, these first six verses, they may seem like nothing but a dull set of facts from someone's travel journal. 00:05:52.960 --> 00:05:56.819 But when it comes to the Bible, there's no such thing as filler text. 00:05:56.900 --> 00:05:58.560 There's no such thing as filler information. 00:05:59.300 --> 00:06:04.960 Everything that's here for us recorded in the scriptures has a distinct purpose in the message of God. 00:06:04.959 --> 00:06:05.959 And we need to pay attention to God. 00:06:05.959 --> 00:06:11.259 And we need to pay attention to it in order to understand what it is that God wants us to know. 00:06:11.579 --> 00:06:14.159 There's critical contextual information here. 00:06:14.919 --> 00:06:19.279 Jesus' home and headquarters was in the Galilee region, a city called Capernaum. 00:06:19.279 --> 00:06:24.979 But where he was in chapter 3 was Judea, Jerusalem, the area around Jerusalem. 00:06:25.739 --> 00:06:27.479 Now it's time to go back to Galilee. 00:06:27.599 --> 00:06:33.959 But the only way, or at least the shortest and easiest way, to get from where Jesus was serving in Judea 00:06:33.959 --> 00:06:37.699 to where his headquarters were or his home was in Galilee, 00:06:37.919 --> 00:06:40.819 was to cross through this region called Samaria. 00:06:40.819 --> 00:06:46.339 The problem is the Jews and the Samaritans hated each other. 00:06:47.360 --> 00:06:48.639 They didn't get along at all. 00:06:49.540 --> 00:06:52.800 This is Israel-Palestine is what this is. 00:06:52.879 --> 00:06:55.079 They wanted to avoid each other at all costs. 00:06:55.159 --> 00:06:55.899 They hated each other. 00:06:56.000 --> 00:06:58.939 There was constant in the first century, even during Jesus' time, 00:06:59.180 --> 00:07:03.219 there was constant fighting, breaking out between these two groups, 00:07:03.319 --> 00:07:06.459 so much so that Rome, who's ruling the world at that time, 00:07:06.459 --> 00:07:09.939 sends a group of soldiers into Galilee to crucify people 00:07:09.939 --> 00:07:14.459 because of this fighting between the Jews and the Samaritans. 00:07:14.759 --> 00:07:16.439 Okay, this is a big problem, right? 00:07:17.459 --> 00:07:20.519 Strict Jews would not even walk in Samaria. 00:07:21.079 --> 00:07:27.060 They believed just to walk on the dirt of Samaritan soil was enough to make you unclean. 00:07:27.579 --> 00:07:29.459 That's how much they despised these people. 00:07:29.879 --> 00:07:33.500 So they would take the much longer and arduous route around Samaria 00:07:33.500 --> 00:07:38.519 to get from the area of Judea back up to northern Israel in Galilee 00:07:38.519 --> 00:07:40.579 and around the Sea of Galilee. 00:07:41.439 --> 00:07:42.779 Jesus doesn't do that, though. 00:07:43.680 --> 00:07:46.259 Jesus chose to travel directly through the area. 00:07:47.259 --> 00:07:51.899 He quite literally crossed a boundary that many were unwilling to cross, 00:07:52.339 --> 00:07:56.740 knowing that a divine encounter with this woman at the well 00:07:56.740 --> 00:07:58.879 was going to take place along the way. 00:07:58.879 --> 00:08:04.459 So they make it as far as Sakaar before stopping for their midday rest. 00:08:05.620 --> 00:08:11.319 Exhausted from the travel, Jesus sits by the well while his disciples go into town to grab some food. 00:08:11.399 --> 00:08:12.939 And that's where we come to verse 7. 00:08:13.159 --> 00:08:17.040 A woman from Samaria came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, 00:08:17.199 --> 00:08:18.079 Give me a drink. 00:08:19.159 --> 00:08:21.620 For his disciples had gone away into the city to buy food. 00:08:21.620 --> 00:08:23.500 And the Samaritan woman said to him, 00:08:24.180 --> 00:08:30.600 How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a woman of Samaria? 00:08:31.120 --> 00:08:35.000 For the Jews have no dealings with Samaria. 00:08:36.039 --> 00:08:40.159 Well, Jesus doesn't only cross geographical boundaries, does he? 00:08:40.519 --> 00:08:46.519 He initiates a conversation with someone that most Jews, especially Jewish rabbis, 00:08:46.799 --> 00:08:49.759 would have loathed to involve themselves with. 00:08:49.759 --> 00:08:54.779 Notice first that he crosses cultural barriers here. 00:08:55.039 --> 00:08:56.399 He crosses cultural barriers. 00:08:57.319 --> 00:09:00.080 Even the woman is shocked that Jesus is talking to her. 00:09:00.120 --> 00:09:02.259 Did you see her reaction in verse 8? 00:09:03.100 --> 00:09:04.539 Jesus says, Can I have a drink? 00:09:04.740 --> 00:09:08.720 And she says, Why are you even talking to me? 00:09:09.659 --> 00:09:11.080 What a reaction that is. 00:09:11.819 --> 00:09:19.100 She's so taken back that Jesus, a man from the Jews, would even speak to her. 00:09:19.759 --> 00:09:26.600 Let alone be willing to drink water from her instruments that she brought to the well that day. 00:09:27.639 --> 00:09:33.860 This would be similar, like I said a moment ago, to a modern rabbi speaking with and asking for help 00:09:33.860 --> 00:09:40.139 from a Palestinian who could be sympathetic to the ideologies of Hamas. 00:09:40.139 --> 00:09:43.639 Jesus, it's the equivalent of what's happening right here. 00:09:44.699 --> 00:09:51.019 Jesus crosses cultural barriers to serve us, to save us, to help us. 00:09:51.819 --> 00:09:52.960 Not just that, though. 00:09:53.059 --> 00:09:56.860 Jesus crossed a gender barrier to engage with this woman. 00:09:56.860 --> 00:10:05.500 Earlier versions of the Talmud show us that a routine prayer of blessing in the morning for Jewish men was to pray 00:10:05.500 --> 00:10:13.279 and thank God that he did not make them a Gentile, a slave, or a woman. 00:10:13.279 --> 00:10:20.259 There's huge divides of superiority and inferiority in Jesus' world. 00:10:20.600 --> 00:10:23.740 Jewish rabbis did not concern themselves at all with even teaching women. 00:10:23.819 --> 00:10:24.699 They didn't want to do that. 00:10:24.839 --> 00:10:28.220 But if you follow through the Gospels, we see Jesus shows another way, doesn't he? 00:10:28.220 --> 00:10:35.860 So many of Jesus' followers are faithful women that he loves and he shows compassion on and that he teaches. 00:10:36.680 --> 00:10:44.800 And interestingly enough, when the disciples return, they're not shocked that Jesus is talking to a Samaritan. 00:10:45.800 --> 00:10:49.920 What they're shocked by is that Jesus is talking to a woman. 00:10:51.019 --> 00:10:52.040 Look at verse 27. 00:10:52.180 --> 00:10:53.200 Just look down in the passage. 00:10:53.740 --> 00:10:55.480 Just then his disciples came back. 00:10:55.480 --> 00:10:58.740 They marveled that he was talking with a woman. 00:10:59.659 --> 00:11:03.360 But no one said, what do you seek or why are you talking with her? 00:11:03.820 --> 00:11:04.920 This is interesting, isn't it? 00:11:05.220 --> 00:11:06.800 Jesus crosses cultural barriers. 00:11:07.200 --> 00:11:09.480 Jesus crosses gender barriers. 00:11:09.800 --> 00:11:15.480 Number three, Jesus crosses social barriers to care for this woman. 00:11:16.480 --> 00:11:18.279 Now, we won't find out until later in the chapter. 00:11:18.279 --> 00:11:23.240 But it is significant that this woman is going to draw her water in the middle of the day. 00:11:23.240 --> 00:11:25.740 Because that's not when women drew water. 00:11:26.240 --> 00:11:27.159 It's hot. 00:11:27.580 --> 00:11:32.299 It's a half mile at least to walk from the town of Saqqar to where Jacob's well is. 00:11:32.879 --> 00:11:33.759 It's hot. 00:11:34.500 --> 00:11:35.180 She's alone. 00:11:35.639 --> 00:11:36.779 That's unusual, isn't it? 00:11:37.740 --> 00:11:40.500 Women went in the early morning or in the late evening. 00:11:41.060 --> 00:11:46.259 They went in groups together for safety and to socialize and to enjoy time together. 00:11:46.259 --> 00:11:48.559 But this woman doesn't do that, does she? 00:11:49.639 --> 00:11:51.480 She'd become a social outcast. 00:11:52.639 --> 00:11:54.519 Not even welcome among her own people. 00:11:55.480 --> 00:11:58.720 And as we'll find, due to her checkered past, she'd lost friendships. 00:11:59.319 --> 00:12:04.439 Probably had even elected to avoid the crowds as much as she possibly could. 00:12:05.399 --> 00:12:09.279 And yet Jesus has no concern to talk with her. 00:12:09.279 --> 00:12:13.439 She crosses geographical boundaries. 00:12:13.579 --> 00:12:17.659 She crosses cultural boundaries, gendered boundaries. 00:12:17.759 --> 00:12:20.659 She crosses social boundaries. 00:12:21.919 --> 00:12:23.220 What do we learn from that? 00:12:24.220 --> 00:12:31.159 There is no boundary Jesus is unwilling to cross to meet you with his mercy and grace. 00:12:31.699 --> 00:12:32.360 Not one. 00:12:32.360 --> 00:12:40.320 You know, sometimes we get this idea with Jesus when we begin to understand our sin and our unworthiness of the Lord's grace and mercy. 00:12:40.659 --> 00:12:45.200 And then we hear that Jesus is a Savior and that he'll provide for us salvation, all these things. 00:12:45.379 --> 00:12:50.980 We get this idea of Jesus that when he comes to help us and to meet with us and to save us, 00:12:50.980 --> 00:12:58.560 that he kind of pinches his nose and he closes his eyes and turns his face away and just kind of like does his thing and then quickly moves away from us. 00:12:58.620 --> 00:12:59.899 Like he's disgusted by us. 00:12:59.899 --> 00:13:03.419 That's not at all the picture that we have of Jesus in the scriptures, is it? 00:13:04.179 --> 00:13:13.199 Because Jesus is willing to cross any boundary there possibly is to save someone, to help someone, to care for someone. 00:13:14.019 --> 00:13:16.579 There's no sin too great for him to forgive. 00:13:17.419 --> 00:13:18.059 It's amazing. 00:13:19.519 --> 00:13:23.459 He cares for us even when no one else does. 00:13:23.460 --> 00:13:34.460 And there's not a thing about you or anybody else in this life that will disqualify you from the steadfast love of the friend of sinners. 00:13:36.860 --> 00:13:38.700 Galatians chapter 3 tells us plainly, 00:13:38.700 --> 00:13:48.740 That's the geographical, cultural boundaries. 00:13:48.860 --> 00:13:50.640 There's neither slave nor free. 00:13:50.720 --> 00:13:51.900 That's the social boundaries. 00:13:52.020 --> 00:13:53.879 There's neither male nor female. 00:13:54.140 --> 00:13:55.879 That's the gendered boundaries. 00:13:56.100 --> 00:13:58.020 For you are all one in Christ. 00:13:58.220 --> 00:13:59.280 Jesus, isn't that amazing? 00:14:00.860 --> 00:14:02.980 Now there's another thing that we take away from this, isn't it? 00:14:02.980 --> 00:14:04.120 Isn't it there? 00:14:05.100 --> 00:14:15.980 This means that it's equally true that there should be no boundary we as Christians are unwilling to cross to show mercy and grace to others as well. 00:14:15.980 --> 00:14:24.639 If the one we say we're following, the one that we've committed our lives to love and to serve and to follow and to be disciples of, 00:14:24.779 --> 00:14:35.320 was willing to cross all of these boundaries, surely we can also cross those boundaries to show kindness and compassion and love to others who are not like us, 00:14:35.960 --> 00:14:38.539 who don't look like us, who don't think like us. 00:14:38.539 --> 00:14:47.980 This is one of the ways that Christians so easily behave in a way that is antithetical to Christ himself. 00:14:49.319 --> 00:14:54.559 But with Christianity, there is no compatibility with any form of prejudice at all. 00:14:56.519 --> 00:15:01.059 Shame on us when we begin to cut people off that really need to hear the gospel of Christ. 00:15:01.139 --> 00:15:06.539 They really need to experience the love of Christ, but we cut them off because there's so much about them that we don't like. 00:15:08.539 --> 00:15:13.579 If Jesus is the friend of sinners, we should be too. 00:15:14.819 --> 00:15:17.379 So first, we see Jesus crosses traditional boundaries. 00:15:17.759 --> 00:15:22.179 Number two, Jesus extends an extraordinary offer. 00:15:22.860 --> 00:15:25.559 Jesus extends an extraordinary offer here. 00:15:26.500 --> 00:15:33.139 Being the incredible teacher that he was, Jesus used this illustration of drawing water from a well 00:15:33.139 --> 00:15:36.679 to introduce the gospel message to this woman. 00:15:36.679 --> 00:15:38.579 And she doesn't get it at first. 00:15:39.919 --> 00:15:42.959 Jesus made her an extraordinary offer of divine grace. 00:15:43.179 --> 00:15:43.839 Look at verse 10. 00:15:44.699 --> 00:15:45.699 Jesus answered her, 00:15:46.659 --> 00:15:48.219 If you knew the gift of God, 00:15:48.639 --> 00:15:51.379 and who it is that's saying to you, give me a drink, 00:15:51.839 --> 00:15:52.859 you would have asked him, 00:15:53.539 --> 00:15:55.419 and he would have given you 00:15:55.419 --> 00:15:56.919 living water. 00:15:58.159 --> 00:15:59.419 This is interesting, isn't it? 00:15:59.419 --> 00:16:04.459 Now, how many of you, your mind immediately goes to living water. 00:16:04.539 --> 00:16:05.419 What is this living water? 00:16:05.500 --> 00:16:06.319 How can I get something? 00:16:08.019 --> 00:16:09.419 But I want you to notice something. 00:16:10.360 --> 00:16:14.919 Jesus isn't concerned first for her to understand the living water. 00:16:16.860 --> 00:16:18.379 She misses it at first. 00:16:19.259 --> 00:16:20.639 She's going to get it by the end. 00:16:20.639 --> 00:16:27.620 But Jesus immediately introduces his identity as the crucial matter for her to understand. 00:16:28.120 --> 00:16:29.039 Do you see that in verse 10? 00:16:30.120 --> 00:16:34.819 If you knew the gift of God and who it is that's saying to you, 00:16:34.879 --> 00:16:36.439 what's the first thing he wants her to understand? 00:16:36.799 --> 00:16:37.939 Who he is. 00:16:38.460 --> 00:16:44.439 His presence with and before her was the gift of God that Jesus wanted her to see. 00:16:44.440 --> 00:16:47.700 But she seems to have missed that part, at least at first. 00:16:47.900 --> 00:16:51.840 And she focused only on what he could give. 00:16:52.780 --> 00:16:53.920 Now, isn't that our tendency? 00:16:55.240 --> 00:17:00.620 Our tendency, typically, is to focus more on what Jesus might give us 00:17:00.620 --> 00:17:05.160 than to concern ourselves with actually knowing him. 00:17:06.779 --> 00:17:09.759 Far more concerned with getting something from Christ 00:17:09.759 --> 00:17:12.799 than we are actually knowing Christ, 00:17:12.799 --> 00:17:14.320 which is why, like this woman, 00:17:14.440 --> 00:17:18.680 we think often in terms of physical satisfaction 00:17:18.680 --> 00:17:24.080 when what Jesus is offering is spiritual satisfaction. 00:17:24.940 --> 00:17:28.360 The truth is that you have to get a grip on who Jesus is 00:17:28.360 --> 00:17:32.600 before you can ever begin to grasp what he came to give. 00:17:33.759 --> 00:17:34.860 And he's getting at that here. 00:17:35.220 --> 00:17:36.900 But notice her response in verse 11. 00:17:37.259 --> 00:17:38.799 She's only thinking in terms of the physical. 00:17:38.799 --> 00:17:39.960 The woman said to him, 00:17:40.160 --> 00:17:42.340 Sir, you have nothing to draw water with. 00:17:43.160 --> 00:17:44.080 And the well's deep. 00:17:44.940 --> 00:17:46.200 Where do you get that living water? 00:17:46.440 --> 00:17:47.680 How are you actually going to do this? 00:17:48.180 --> 00:17:48.820 She's skeptical. 00:17:49.340 --> 00:17:53.279 Even sarcastic, I think we could say she's being a little sarcastic in these verses. 00:17:53.779 --> 00:17:55.799 Are you greater than our father Jacob? 00:17:56.680 --> 00:17:59.160 He gave us this well and drank of it himself, 00:17:59.640 --> 00:18:01.500 as did his sons and all his livestock. 00:18:01.500 --> 00:18:09.140 Again, she's only thinking about the physical when Jesus is trying to teach a lesson about the spiritual. 00:18:09.740 --> 00:18:10.839 The first thing she says is, 00:18:11.380 --> 00:18:12.400 How are you actually going to do this? 00:18:12.420 --> 00:18:13.819 You don't have anything to draw water with. 00:18:14.180 --> 00:18:15.380 And this well is deep. 00:18:15.779 --> 00:18:17.720 You're not just going to reach your hand in there and get water. 00:18:17.720 --> 00:18:20.360 But then we see this distinction, 00:18:20.579 --> 00:18:26.940 this defensiveness of her as a Samaritan person dealing with a Jewish man come to the surface here. 00:18:27.640 --> 00:18:28.500 Notice what she says. 00:18:28.539 --> 00:18:29.660 This seems odd at first, doesn't it? 00:18:29.740 --> 00:18:31.360 But notice what she says in verse 12. 00:18:31.660 --> 00:18:33.500 Are you greater than our father Jacob? 00:18:34.259 --> 00:18:35.259 What's that all about? 00:18:37.019 --> 00:18:40.460 Jacob's well was a sacred site to the Samaritans. 00:18:40.460 --> 00:18:44.579 In her understanding, when Jesus says, 00:18:45.340 --> 00:18:47.400 If you'll ask me as a Jewish man, 00:18:47.640 --> 00:18:50.680 I'll give you something that's far better than what you get out of this well, 00:18:50.819 --> 00:18:54.019 she takes that as an insult against her as a Samaritan woman. 00:18:54.600 --> 00:18:56.600 And she essentially says here in verse 12, 00:18:57.059 --> 00:19:04.720 Who are you to say that you can give us something that's greater than our forefather Jacob gave us in this well? 00:19:04.900 --> 00:19:05.840 You see, there's defensiveness. 00:19:06.180 --> 00:19:06.460 Why? 00:19:06.680 --> 00:19:10.400 Because she's not thinking about the spiritual lesson that Jesus is trying to teach. 00:19:10.460 --> 00:19:12.880 She's only thinking in terms of the physical, right? 00:19:13.059 --> 00:19:14.340 Notice how Jesus responds. 00:19:14.460 --> 00:19:15.059 Verse 13, 00:19:16.100 --> 00:19:16.960 Jesus said to her, 00:19:17.480 --> 00:19:21.079 Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again. 00:19:21.880 --> 00:19:26.600 But whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. 00:19:27.340 --> 00:19:31.120 The water that I will give him will become in him a spring. 00:19:31.120 --> 00:19:35.120 And here's the key of water welling up to what? 00:19:35.779 --> 00:19:36.640 Eternal life. 00:19:37.440 --> 00:19:40.299 Ah, now we see Jesus is speaking figuratively. 00:19:40.460 --> 00:19:41.980 He's not talking about water. 00:19:42.340 --> 00:19:43.940 He's talking about life. 00:19:45.000 --> 00:19:46.759 And what an amazing promise this is. 00:19:47.819 --> 00:19:52.420 The living water that Jesus offers this woman is eternal life, 00:19:52.420 --> 00:20:03.180 which John chapter 7 tells us comes from the work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of those who trust by faith the person and work of Jesus. 00:20:03.180 --> 00:20:05.080 This verse is on the screen for you to see. 00:20:05.200 --> 00:20:07.120 John chapter 7, verse 37. 00:20:07.560 --> 00:20:08.340 Jesus says this, 00:20:08.339 --> 00:20:12.659 If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. 00:20:12.659 --> 00:20:20.619 Whoever believes in me, as the scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water. 00:20:21.559 --> 00:20:23.539 And then John tells us what he means by that. 00:20:23.799 --> 00:20:30.319 Now this he said about the Spirit, the Holy Spirit, whom those who believe in him were to receive. 00:20:30.319 --> 00:20:31.519 That's interesting, isn't it? 00:20:32.220 --> 00:20:33.960 This living water, it's eternal life. 00:20:34.179 --> 00:20:35.559 Well, who gives the eternal life? 00:20:35.720 --> 00:20:38.919 The Holy Spirit of God gives the eternal life. 00:20:39.000 --> 00:20:40.619 And who does he give the eternal life to? 00:20:40.779 --> 00:20:46.059 Those who come to faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. 00:20:46.319 --> 00:20:49.299 Jesus says, I'll give you living water. 00:20:49.720 --> 00:20:51.099 What an extraordinary offer. 00:20:51.099 --> 00:21:00.959 This is equivalent to what John or Jesus tells Nicodemus in John chapter 3 about being born again. 00:21:00.959 --> 00:21:04.819 Being born again by the Holy Spirit and having living water from the Holy Spirit. 00:21:04.919 --> 00:21:05.819 It's the same thing. 00:21:07.219 --> 00:21:10.019 This eternal life is a work of divine grace. 00:21:11.019 --> 00:21:14.299 It comes through the transforming power of God's Spirit. 00:21:14.439 --> 00:21:20.439 And it can only be received through faith in the person and work of Jesus Christ. 00:21:21.099 --> 00:21:28.480 And let me just remind you, this is exactly, precisely why Jesus came. 00:21:29.779 --> 00:21:35.859 He came to give us life by suffering our death. 00:21:36.539 --> 00:21:37.779 He said as much. 00:21:38.079 --> 00:21:38.879 John chapter 10. 00:21:39.480 --> 00:21:41.639 I came that they may have life. 00:21:42.259 --> 00:21:45.019 And that they may have life abundantly. 00:21:45.339 --> 00:21:46.459 I am the good shepherd. 00:21:46.460 --> 00:21:52.120 And the good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep Jesus is. 00:21:53.340 --> 00:21:55.259 Friends, this is an extraordinary offer. 00:21:58.100 --> 00:22:01.420 He extends it to you now through his word. 00:22:01.420 --> 00:22:08.980 We go to Genesis chapter 3 and we see that in Matthew 22 and we see, man, we're all sinners. 00:22:09.180 --> 00:22:10.279 We're in a big mess. 00:22:11.720 --> 00:22:13.100 We've all transgressed. 00:22:13.160 --> 00:22:14.180 We've all sinned against God. 00:22:14.259 --> 00:22:19.180 What we deserve from God is justice, wrath, judgment. 00:22:20.940 --> 00:22:26.340 And yet Jesus comes and he makes an offer that says, you can skip that judgment. 00:22:26.779 --> 00:22:29.220 I'll take that judgment for you. 00:22:29.959 --> 00:22:30.839 What an offer. 00:22:34.879 --> 00:22:36.119 Why won't you come to him? 00:22:37.519 --> 00:22:38.399 He invites you. 00:22:38.459 --> 00:22:38.899 John 7. 00:22:39.599 --> 00:22:43.159 If you're thirsty, spiritually thirsty, you need life. 00:22:44.099 --> 00:22:45.359 He says, come to me and drink. 00:22:46.740 --> 00:22:49.519 Why don't you come to him and drink? 00:22:49.519 --> 00:22:52.879 Look at verse 15. 00:22:52.960 --> 00:22:53.559 Look how she responds. 00:22:53.619 --> 00:22:54.500 She still doesn't get it yet. 00:22:54.599 --> 00:22:56.299 She's still thinking in the physical, isn't she? 00:22:56.639 --> 00:22:59.299 You even get a sense of sarcasm here. 00:22:59.799 --> 00:23:05.220 The woman said to him, sir, give me this water so that I will not be thirsty and have to come here to draw water again. 00:23:05.940 --> 00:23:06.940 She misses it, doesn't she? 00:23:07.319 --> 00:23:07.779 It's okay. 00:23:08.180 --> 00:23:09.319 Jesus isn't going to stop. 00:23:09.779 --> 00:23:12.559 He's going to make sure she gets it by the end. 00:23:13.000 --> 00:23:15.700 Jesus extends an extraordinary offer. 00:23:15.859 --> 00:23:17.119 Finally, I want you to see this. 00:23:17.119 --> 00:23:23.279 Jesus delivers life-changing truth. 00:23:25.859 --> 00:23:28.039 Jesus delivers life-changing truth. 00:23:29.159 --> 00:23:34.599 There's three categories of transformational truth that Jesus delivers in the rest of this conversation. 00:23:34.959 --> 00:23:39.039 I want you to listen carefully because this is actually the thing that ends up changing this woman's life. 00:23:39.819 --> 00:23:43.239 This is the thing that will ultimately change your life as well. 00:23:43.240 --> 00:23:48.140 Now, first thing he says is he delivers the truth about us. 00:23:48.880 --> 00:23:50.420 He delivers the truth about us. 00:23:50.620 --> 00:23:51.319 Look at verse 16. 00:23:51.620 --> 00:23:54.000 Jesus said to her, go, call your husband and come here. 00:23:54.960 --> 00:23:57.900 The woman answered him, I have no husband. 00:23:59.319 --> 00:24:05.079 Jesus said to her, you are right in saying I have no husband for you have had five husbands. 00:24:05.079 --> 00:24:08.199 And the one you now have is not your husband. 00:24:09.079 --> 00:24:11.519 What you have said is true. 00:24:14.519 --> 00:24:17.919 Jesus instructs her to bring her husband because he knew she didn't have one. 00:24:19.899 --> 00:24:25.179 He's doing something intentional with this woman that on the surface of it, it seems actually quite mean, doesn't it? 00:24:26.039 --> 00:24:28.399 Like, why would he bring this up for this woman? 00:24:28.460 --> 00:24:31.000 This is not going to do anything but make her feel bad about herself. 00:24:31.139 --> 00:24:32.079 Why would Jesus do this? 00:24:32.079 --> 00:24:34.539 I thought Jesus was supposed to be loving and compassionate. 00:24:35.759 --> 00:24:37.220 Why does he now confront her? 00:24:37.299 --> 00:24:43.339 It's almost as if he's irritated to throw back in her face the brokenness of her past. 00:24:45.220 --> 00:24:47.099 Jesus doesn't do this to embarrass her. 00:24:47.240 --> 00:24:49.460 And he certainly doesn't do it to condemn her. 00:24:49.559 --> 00:24:51.039 That's the opposite of what he's doing. 00:24:51.759 --> 00:24:57.500 But he is, in fact, drawing out intentionally the reality of her brokenness and of her sin. 00:24:58.500 --> 00:25:00.579 And he does that for a really important reason. 00:25:00.579 --> 00:25:05.859 Before anyone can understand the nature and purpose of salvation, 00:25:06.399 --> 00:25:10.500 they have to come to terms with the reality of their own sinful condition. 00:25:12.059 --> 00:25:13.740 Think about what salvation is. 00:25:13.799 --> 00:25:14.720 That's the word we use, right? 00:25:14.740 --> 00:25:15.579 That's the biblical word. 00:25:15.899 --> 00:25:19.359 Salvation refers to deliverance from eternal judgment. 00:25:19.859 --> 00:25:20.699 That's what it means. 00:25:21.720 --> 00:25:23.960 Well, why do we face eternal judgment? 00:25:23.960 --> 00:25:26.140 Because we're all sinners. 00:25:27.240 --> 00:25:29.059 Because we've all rebelled against God. 00:25:29.160 --> 00:25:31.400 We've all broken God's law. 00:25:31.539 --> 00:25:33.660 We need God's mercy. 00:25:34.600 --> 00:25:38.400 Jesus is bringing this to the surface because she's not going to understand living water 00:25:38.400 --> 00:25:41.600 until she understands the fact that she's drowning in her sin. 00:25:43.200 --> 00:25:44.799 But it's not just that that he's doing. 00:25:44.860 --> 00:25:45.960 He's doing something else here, too. 00:25:46.400 --> 00:25:50.840 He's also using this moment to open her eyes to his true identity. 00:25:51.539 --> 00:25:52.360 This is important. 00:25:53.660 --> 00:25:56.019 Fundamentally, this passage is about who Jesus is. 00:25:56.660 --> 00:25:58.000 And he's opening her eyes here. 00:25:58.240 --> 00:26:01.019 He told her things about herself he couldn't have possibly known 00:26:01.019 --> 00:26:04.360 unless there was something truly significant about who he is. 00:26:04.359 --> 00:26:07.839 Now, this is a big deal to her because in verse 29, 00:26:08.339 --> 00:26:10.519 when she eventually finishes this conversation, 00:26:10.799 --> 00:26:14.199 she runs into town and she tries to get all the people in town to come out 00:26:14.199 --> 00:26:15.419 and speak with Jesus, too. 00:26:15.539 --> 00:26:17.939 And notice what it is that she is talking about. 00:26:18.000 --> 00:26:18.500 Verse 29, 00:26:18.919 --> 00:26:22.240 Come and see a man who told me all that I ever did. 00:26:23.139 --> 00:26:24.059 Can this be the Christ? 00:26:24.219 --> 00:26:26.119 What's the thing that sticks with her about Jesus? 00:26:26.419 --> 00:26:29.139 He could do something that people can't do. 00:26:29.139 --> 00:26:34.039 He knew something about me that people that don't know me shouldn't know. 00:26:34.939 --> 00:26:39.079 This opens her mind in some way to the person of Jesus. 00:26:39.319 --> 00:26:40.699 Now, let's put these two things together. 00:26:41.019 --> 00:26:45.979 The reality of her sin and the knowledge of Christ regarding her sin. 00:26:46.899 --> 00:26:47.939 Let's think about this for just a minute. 00:26:48.000 --> 00:26:48.959 Hang with me, okay? 00:26:52.019 --> 00:26:56.699 One of the deepest desires of the human heart is to be fully known 00:26:58.019 --> 00:27:00.819 and still fully loved, right? 00:27:01.519 --> 00:27:02.419 We want to be known. 00:27:02.420 --> 00:27:04.700 That's at the heart of friendship, isn't it? 00:27:05.240 --> 00:27:10.779 To be known and to know and to walk together with someone in love 00:27:10.779 --> 00:27:13.960 and compassion and kindness and a unique connection 00:27:13.960 --> 00:27:17.060 that's on the basis of being known, right? 00:27:17.279 --> 00:27:18.060 We want that. 00:27:18.980 --> 00:27:21.400 And we want to be fully loved in the process of that. 00:27:21.720 --> 00:27:22.640 Here's the problem. 00:27:22.640 --> 00:27:26.540 Being fully known is also one of our greatest fears, isn't it? 00:27:28.400 --> 00:27:33.020 Because to be fully known is an obstacle to being fully loved. 00:27:34.980 --> 00:27:37.580 Sometimes this shows up in our lives in really superficial ways. 00:27:37.880 --> 00:27:42.960 Like, you know, when we're growing up, teenagers, I have a preteen daughter now 00:27:42.960 --> 00:27:45.060 and I'm not ready for that, but I do. 00:27:45.180 --> 00:27:46.840 And she likes to wear makeup, right? 00:27:46.839 --> 00:27:48.959 And there's people that you want to wear makeup. 00:27:49.079 --> 00:27:49.199 Why? 00:27:49.259 --> 00:27:50.259 You want to cover up blemishes? 00:27:50.459 --> 00:27:53.639 To be fully known, you think, might hinder your ability to be fully loved. 00:27:54.619 --> 00:27:57.179 If they see me as I really am, they'll think less of me. 00:27:58.099 --> 00:27:59.720 They won't want to be with me. 00:28:00.779 --> 00:28:03.480 We do the same thing when we are going out to dinner 00:28:03.480 --> 00:28:05.359 and there's going to be people in public that see us 00:28:05.359 --> 00:28:07.720 and we go through about six or seven different outfits in our closet 00:28:07.720 --> 00:28:10.419 to find out what makes us look the thinnest, right? 00:28:10.420 --> 00:28:15.860 Nothing works for me, but that's what we try to do anyways. 00:28:17.019 --> 00:28:17.380 Why? 00:28:18.039 --> 00:28:21.980 Because to be fully known hinders us from being fully loved. 00:28:22.120 --> 00:28:24.860 Now, those are really superficial reasons that all of us can identify with, 00:28:24.980 --> 00:28:27.400 but there's much deeper reasons that we experience this. 00:28:28.600 --> 00:28:33.500 We guard ourselves in intimate relationships and in intimate friendships 00:28:33.500 --> 00:28:36.519 because we're afraid that if people really know what we're like, 00:28:38.019 --> 00:28:39.580 they won't want to be our friend anymore. 00:28:39.579 --> 00:28:40.899 They won't want to love us anymore. 00:28:41.619 --> 00:28:44.299 If they really know what's true about what we've done 00:28:44.299 --> 00:28:48.759 or maybe what's true of some tragedies in your past, 00:28:48.919 --> 00:28:50.579 you're afraid for people to know those things 00:28:50.579 --> 00:28:53.559 because you think that they won't be able to love you anymore. 00:28:53.659 --> 00:28:54.659 They'll only think less of you. 00:28:54.759 --> 00:28:57.199 They'll think poorly of you now, right? 00:28:57.339 --> 00:28:58.259 It's a problem, isn't it? 00:29:00.259 --> 00:29:03.899 To be fully known and to be fully loved 00:29:03.899 --> 00:29:07.319 seems to be an impossibility. 00:29:07.319 --> 00:29:13.159 This part of Jesus' conversation with the woman teaches us that 00:29:13.159 --> 00:29:16.259 he, being one with God, the Son of God, 00:29:16.779 --> 00:29:19.240 knows everything there is to know about this woman. 00:29:20.240 --> 00:29:22.079 He knows every thought she's ever had. 00:29:22.639 --> 00:29:25.059 He knows every husband that she's ever had. 00:29:25.740 --> 00:29:29.379 He knows the man she's living with at that particular moment in her life. 00:29:29.659 --> 00:29:31.000 He knows everything about her. 00:29:31.000 --> 00:29:33.259 The things that only she knows. 00:29:33.720 --> 00:29:34.720 He knows it all. 00:29:36.480 --> 00:29:39.740 And yet, he still loves her. 00:29:41.359 --> 00:29:42.660 She's still loved by him. 00:29:44.079 --> 00:29:45.240 I want you to think about that. 00:29:45.779 --> 00:29:48.099 Put yourself in the sandals of this woman at the well. 00:29:49.420 --> 00:29:51.640 God already knows everything there is to know about you. 00:29:51.759 --> 00:29:52.099 Everything. 00:29:52.900 --> 00:29:54.619 You can't hide a thing from him. 00:29:54.619 --> 00:29:59.859 Now, that strikes fear in us when we understand that one day we'll all have to stand before him in judgment. 00:30:00.719 --> 00:30:04.219 Because if he knows everything there is to know about me, then I'm toast. 00:30:05.819 --> 00:30:09.979 Until you begin to understand that despite being fully known by God, 00:30:10.419 --> 00:30:12.479 you're also fully loved by God. 00:30:12.480 --> 00:30:16.740 Isn't this the whole purpose in Christ's coming? 00:30:18.120 --> 00:30:21.680 Since this is what the Bible tells us in the most familiar verse ever in the New Testament, 00:30:21.819 --> 00:30:22.819 in John chapter 3, 00:30:23.299 --> 00:30:27.339 God so loved the world that he gave his only son, 00:30:28.400 --> 00:30:31.640 that whoever would believe in him should not perish but have eternal life. 00:30:32.299 --> 00:30:35.160 For God did not send his son into the world to condemn the world, 00:30:35.160 --> 00:30:39.000 but that the world through him might be saved, 00:30:39.000 --> 00:30:40.680 fully known, 00:30:41.519 --> 00:30:43.140 fully loved. 00:30:43.960 --> 00:30:45.700 In Christ alone, 00:30:45.960 --> 00:30:50.839 can this deepest desire of being fully known and fully loved be truly satisfied? 00:30:51.920 --> 00:30:54.640 That's why Jesus brings her brokenness to the surface. 00:30:54.880 --> 00:30:57.599 It's not to embarrass her, to criticize her, to condemn her. 00:30:57.759 --> 00:30:58.799 It's to rescue her. 00:30:58.859 --> 00:31:00.819 It's to love her. 00:31:01.880 --> 00:31:03.220 Second thing, that's the truth about us. 00:31:03.539 --> 00:31:06.259 Second thing he teaches her is the truth about religion. 00:31:07.299 --> 00:31:08.160 The truth about religion. 00:31:08.160 --> 00:31:09.040 Look at verse 19. 00:31:09.440 --> 00:31:11.100 The woman said to him in response, 00:31:11.259 --> 00:31:13.660 Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet. 00:31:13.960 --> 00:31:16.200 Yeah, she's on to it now, right? 00:31:17.300 --> 00:31:19.800 And she changes the subject somewhat now, doesn't she? 00:31:20.100 --> 00:31:21.800 Our fathers worshipped on this mountain. 00:31:21.900 --> 00:31:24.460 This would have been Mount Gerizim where the Samaritans worshipped. 00:31:24.720 --> 00:31:26.180 But you say, as a Jew, 00:31:26.320 --> 00:31:30.360 that in Jerusalem is the place where people ought to worship. 00:31:31.320 --> 00:31:32.240 Jesus says to her, 00:31:32.300 --> 00:31:33.900 Woman, believe me, the hour is coming 00:31:33.900 --> 00:31:36.080 when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem 00:31:36.080 --> 00:31:37.240 will you worship the Father. 00:31:37.240 --> 00:31:39.519 You worship what you don't know. 00:31:39.620 --> 00:31:40.640 We worship what we know, 00:31:40.759 --> 00:31:42.140 for salvation is from the Jews. 00:31:42.400 --> 00:31:43.500 But the hour is coming, 00:31:43.759 --> 00:31:45.519 and it's now here, he says, 00:31:45.660 --> 00:31:47.259 when the true worshippers 00:31:47.259 --> 00:31:50.279 will worship the Father in spirit and truth. 00:31:50.920 --> 00:31:53.559 For the Father is seeking such people to worship Him. 00:31:54.240 --> 00:31:54.940 God is spirit. 00:31:55.759 --> 00:31:57.660 Those who worship Him must worship Him 00:31:57.660 --> 00:31:58.700 in spirit and truth. 00:31:58.839 --> 00:32:00.240 This is the truth about religion. 00:32:01.299 --> 00:32:02.859 Now let's think about her response first. 00:32:03.079 --> 00:32:05.380 There's two possibilities for what she's getting at here 00:32:05.380 --> 00:32:06.480 in verses 19 and 20. 00:32:06.620 --> 00:32:08.440 She seems to be changing the subject, doesn't she? 00:32:09.040 --> 00:32:11.360 It could be that she's deflecting. 00:32:11.620 --> 00:32:12.100 She's thinking, 00:32:12.260 --> 00:32:13.240 This is awkward. 00:32:13.520 --> 00:32:15.200 I don't want to talk about this with you, 00:32:15.340 --> 00:32:17.400 so let me introduce this religious argument 00:32:17.400 --> 00:32:19.280 between the Jews and the Samaritans real quick 00:32:19.280 --> 00:32:20.700 about where we're supposed to worship. 00:32:21.180 --> 00:32:22.160 That could be what she's doing. 00:32:22.460 --> 00:32:23.280 She could be deflecting. 00:32:23.840 --> 00:32:26.820 It's also true that she could be actually reflecting, 00:32:27.340 --> 00:32:30.560 reflecting on this dynamic of her sinfulness 00:32:30.559 --> 00:32:32.919 that Jesus has just once again brought to the surface. 00:32:33.919 --> 00:32:35.859 And now she's seeking religious clarity. 00:32:36.179 --> 00:32:37.399 Okay, I am a sinner. 00:32:37.639 --> 00:32:39.940 That means I need to go to some temple and worship 00:32:39.940 --> 00:32:41.240 and do some type of ritual 00:32:41.240 --> 00:32:43.379 in order that I might try to receive forgiveness. 00:32:43.659 --> 00:32:46.079 So tell me, since I perceive that you're a prophet, 00:32:46.480 --> 00:32:48.899 tell me, should I do this at Mount Gerizim? 00:32:48.960 --> 00:32:50.919 Is that where I go to worship to receive forgiveness? 00:32:51.179 --> 00:32:53.480 Or should I go to the temple in Jerusalem? 00:32:53.679 --> 00:32:55.500 Is that the place that I need to go to worship 00:32:55.500 --> 00:32:58.379 and receive forgiveness from the Lord? 00:32:58.380 --> 00:33:01.780 She might be just seeking religious clarity from someone 00:33:01.780 --> 00:33:05.140 that now she's starting to trust as a religious teacher, 00:33:05.560 --> 00:33:06.180 as a prophet. 00:33:06.960 --> 00:33:10.360 In either case, Jesus answers her 00:33:10.360 --> 00:33:14.600 that religious efforts are ultimately irrelevant 00:33:14.600 --> 00:33:15.900 to living water. 00:33:16.880 --> 00:33:17.500 They're irrelevant. 00:33:19.580 --> 00:33:22.860 Like many people, this woman thought that genuine worship 00:33:22.860 --> 00:33:25.080 and therefore the forgiveness of sins 00:33:25.080 --> 00:33:27.640 comes through religious formalism. 00:33:28.380 --> 00:33:29.960 To put it into modern terms, 00:33:30.040 --> 00:33:31.400 she's basically asking Jesus, 00:33:31.840 --> 00:33:34.300 which church do I need to go worship in this week? 00:33:34.600 --> 00:33:37.040 How many prayers do I need to say this week? 00:33:37.260 --> 00:33:40.360 How much money do I need to give this week? 00:33:40.480 --> 00:33:43.440 How many ways do I need to serve in the community this week? 00:33:43.520 --> 00:33:45.860 Lord, just give me all the things that I need to do 00:33:45.860 --> 00:33:47.820 so that I can get this forgiveness. 00:33:48.700 --> 00:33:50.760 But religious commitment and experience 00:33:50.760 --> 00:33:53.820 can't possibly atone for your sin. 00:33:53.819 --> 00:33:56.179 It can't make you at peace with God. 00:33:57.559 --> 00:33:59.700 Good things that you do now 00:33:59.700 --> 00:34:02.659 cannot possibly erase the bad things 00:34:02.659 --> 00:34:04.579 that you've done in your past. 00:34:05.299 --> 00:34:07.159 And Jesus is confronting this idea. 00:34:08.940 --> 00:34:11.340 Instead, Jesus says that true worshipers, 00:34:11.440 --> 00:34:13.079 those who have received living water, 00:34:13.599 --> 00:34:17.000 worship the Father in spirit and in truth. 00:34:17.000 --> 00:34:19.639 This is the opposite of formalism. 00:34:20.579 --> 00:34:23.900 Truth means to worship what is true about God. 00:34:24.320 --> 00:34:27.019 And the truth about God is found in the scriptures, 00:34:27.219 --> 00:34:28.679 in the word of God, in the Bible. 00:34:30.119 --> 00:34:31.920 But God's not only looking for those 00:34:31.920 --> 00:34:34.960 who will worship him in truth of who he is, 00:34:35.099 --> 00:34:38.780 but also in the very depth of their inner being, 00:34:39.300 --> 00:34:40.079 in spirit. 00:34:40.719 --> 00:34:41.699 That's what he means here. 00:34:41.699 --> 00:34:44.980 He's telling her this isn't about going to church. 00:34:46.500 --> 00:34:49.839 This isn't about getting out your religious to-dos 00:34:49.839 --> 00:34:51.419 and just marking off all the things 00:34:51.419 --> 00:34:52.539 that you feel like you need to do, 00:34:52.599 --> 00:34:54.239 hoping that you'll get some kind of peace from that. 00:34:54.439 --> 00:34:56.039 That won't work, Jesus says. 00:34:56.359 --> 00:34:58.239 True worship is something that comes 00:34:58.239 --> 00:35:00.239 from the inner being in the spirit, 00:35:00.460 --> 00:35:02.980 and it is focused on the truth of who God is 00:35:02.980 --> 00:35:04.419 and what God has done, 00:35:04.559 --> 00:35:08.099 particularly through the person of Jesus Christ, his son. 00:35:09.199 --> 00:35:11.659 That's what true religion is. 00:35:11.699 --> 00:35:12.899 It's not about formalism. 00:35:13.239 --> 00:35:14.839 Charles Spurgeon, a great preacher 00:35:14.839 --> 00:35:16.199 from the 19th century, said, 00:35:16.619 --> 00:35:18.339 God does not regard our voices. 00:35:19.279 --> 00:35:21.179 He hears our hearts. 00:35:21.980 --> 00:35:24.000 And if our hearts do not sing, 00:35:24.519 --> 00:35:26.579 we have not sung at all. 00:35:28.299 --> 00:35:30.519 Religious formalism does not make you 00:35:30.519 --> 00:35:31.679 a genuine worshiper, 00:35:32.000 --> 00:35:34.179 nor can it bring you eternal salvation. 00:35:34.939 --> 00:35:37.159 Religious formalism is nothing more 00:35:37.159 --> 00:35:40.819 than idolatry wrapped in Christian clothing. 00:35:41.699 --> 00:35:43.239 It doesn't do anything. 00:35:44.239 --> 00:35:46.799 And as long as you're trusting in your subscription 00:35:46.799 --> 00:35:48.539 to some type of religious experience 00:35:48.539 --> 00:35:51.139 or religious work to make you right with God, 00:35:51.339 --> 00:35:54.899 you will remain lost and without God in this world. 00:35:56.480 --> 00:35:58.259 Jesus tells her the truth about her, 00:35:58.460 --> 00:35:59.299 the truth about us. 00:35:59.919 --> 00:36:01.419 He gives her the truth about religion. 00:36:02.259 --> 00:36:04.079 Finally, he gives her the truth about salvation. 00:36:04.919 --> 00:36:06.059 Truth about salvation. 00:36:06.059 --> 00:36:07.380 Look at verse 25. 00:36:09.380 --> 00:36:10.539 Her interest is piqued. 00:36:11.599 --> 00:36:12.500 And the woman says, 00:36:12.820 --> 00:36:14.519 I know that Messiah is coming, 00:36:14.980 --> 00:36:16.000 he who is called Christ. 00:36:16.500 --> 00:36:17.420 And when he comes, 00:36:18.219 --> 00:36:19.699 he will tell us all things. 00:36:19.799 --> 00:36:20.420 What's she saying? 00:36:21.519 --> 00:36:22.659 The Messiah is gonna come. 00:36:22.719 --> 00:36:24.059 He's gonna sort all this out for us. 00:36:24.559 --> 00:36:26.840 This dispute between the Samaritans and the Jews, 00:36:26.980 --> 00:36:28.840 he's gonna let us know what the truth is 00:36:28.840 --> 00:36:31.100 and he's gonna figure it all out 00:36:31.100 --> 00:36:32.700 and then look at what Jesus says. 00:36:33.180 --> 00:36:35.380 I who speak to you am he. 00:36:36.480 --> 00:36:38.420 He's saying, lady, I'm him. 00:36:39.539 --> 00:36:40.280 I'm him. 00:36:40.539 --> 00:36:40.780 Listen. 00:36:42.800 --> 00:36:45.180 The truth about us is that we're sinners 00:36:45.180 --> 00:36:46.680 in need of spiritual salvation. 00:36:47.200 --> 00:36:48.559 The truth about religion 00:36:48.559 --> 00:36:50.980 is that it cannot provide the salvation 00:36:50.980 --> 00:36:52.180 we so desperately need. 00:36:52.380 --> 00:36:54.019 But the truth about salvation 00:36:54.019 --> 00:36:57.179 is that it can be received through Jesus, 00:36:57.800 --> 00:36:58.380 the Messiah. 00:36:59.139 --> 00:36:59.719 The Messiah. 00:37:01.559 --> 00:37:04.659 Remember, this interaction with Jesus and the woman, 00:37:05.400 --> 00:37:07.280 it's all fundamentally concerns 00:37:07.280 --> 00:37:08.679 Jesus' identity 00:37:08.679 --> 00:37:11.599 and what that means for sinners. 00:37:13.199 --> 00:37:16.539 Jesus masterfully guides this conversation 00:37:16.539 --> 00:37:18.980 to reveal this magnificent truth. 00:37:18.980 --> 00:37:24.519 Jesus says, I who speak to you am he. 00:37:24.619 --> 00:37:26.340 And then if you were to read the story 00:37:26.340 --> 00:37:27.159 on further from there, 00:37:27.219 --> 00:37:30.380 you see suddenly the spirit opens the woman's eyes. 00:37:30.719 --> 00:37:32.300 She begins connecting all the dots 00:37:32.300 --> 00:37:33.260 of the conversation. 00:37:33.800 --> 00:37:35.840 Now she's beginning to see the truth 00:37:35.840 --> 00:37:37.019 of Jesus' identity. 00:37:37.599 --> 00:37:40.059 She's starting to grasp this idea 00:37:40.059 --> 00:37:42.280 of living water and genuine worship. 00:37:42.780 --> 00:37:44.320 The spring of living water 00:37:44.320 --> 00:37:46.820 is beginning to well up within her, 00:37:47.019 --> 00:37:48.740 revealing itself through simple, 00:37:48.980 --> 00:37:52.000 faith in Jesus Christ, 00:37:52.579 --> 00:37:53.420 the friend of sinners. 00:37:56.300 --> 00:37:58.099 Well, how does he provide salvation? 00:37:58.199 --> 00:37:59.360 If salvation comes through Jesus, 00:37:59.440 --> 00:38:00.460 how does he actually do that? 00:38:01.860 --> 00:38:03.240 The truth about salvation 00:38:03.240 --> 00:38:05.079 is that Jesus is the Messiah 00:38:05.079 --> 00:38:07.699 and he secures our salvation 00:38:07.699 --> 00:38:10.480 through his death on the cross. 00:38:12.199 --> 00:38:13.079 That's the thing. 00:38:13.500 --> 00:38:14.440 Remember Genesis 3. 00:38:15.519 --> 00:38:16.639 God makes this promise 00:38:16.639 --> 00:38:18.380 that there's gonna be enmity 00:38:18.380 --> 00:38:19.559 between the seed of the serpent 00:38:19.559 --> 00:38:20.400 and the seed of the woman, 00:38:20.480 --> 00:38:21.720 but one day there's gonna be one 00:38:21.720 --> 00:38:22.599 from the seed of the woman 00:38:22.599 --> 00:38:23.900 who's gonna bring victory. 00:38:24.000 --> 00:38:24.519 It's a promise. 00:38:24.640 --> 00:38:26.300 And we see all of these pictures of it 00:38:26.300 --> 00:38:27.019 through the Old Testament 00:38:27.019 --> 00:38:28.840 that's ultimately fulfilled in Jesus. 00:38:29.099 --> 00:38:31.000 He's gonna crush the serpent's head 00:38:31.000 --> 00:38:33.420 while the serpent bruises his heel. 00:38:33.640 --> 00:38:35.200 What's the bruising of the heel all about? 00:38:36.000 --> 00:38:37.240 The crucifixion of Christ. 00:38:38.840 --> 00:38:39.820 On the cross, 00:38:39.820 --> 00:38:41.780 the sinless son of God 00:38:41.780 --> 00:38:44.880 is treated by God the Father 00:38:44.880 --> 00:38:46.300 as if he were the sinner 00:38:46.300 --> 00:38:49.559 in order that the true sinners 00:38:49.559 --> 00:38:50.600 like me and you 00:38:50.600 --> 00:38:52.500 through faith in Christ 00:38:52.500 --> 00:38:54.740 might be treated by God the Father 00:38:54.740 --> 00:38:56.420 as the ones who are righteous. 00:38:58.300 --> 00:38:59.720 We call it imputation. 00:38:59.880 --> 00:39:00.559 That's what's happening. 00:39:01.640 --> 00:39:02.900 Sometimes we think that the cross 00:39:02.900 --> 00:39:05.039 is all about God being able 00:39:05.039 --> 00:39:06.800 to kind of turn a blind eye to our sin. 00:39:07.160 --> 00:39:08.400 That's not what the cross does. 00:39:09.660 --> 00:39:10.600 That's not what it means 00:39:10.600 --> 00:39:11.940 to be the Savior and the Messiah. 00:39:12.300 --> 00:39:13.560 What Jesus does on the cross 00:39:13.560 --> 00:39:14.820 is he doesn't turn his eyes 00:39:14.820 --> 00:39:15.660 away from our sin. 00:39:16.200 --> 00:39:18.860 The Father puts our sin on him. 00:39:19.760 --> 00:39:20.880 The wrath of God 00:39:20.880 --> 00:39:22.519 that we are destined for as sinners 00:39:22.519 --> 00:39:23.900 is then poured out 00:39:23.900 --> 00:39:26.080 on the sinless son of God 00:39:26.080 --> 00:39:27.539 so that by faith 00:39:27.539 --> 00:39:29.680 we might actually receive 00:39:29.680 --> 00:39:30.260 the forgiveness 00:39:30.260 --> 00:39:32.880 and the righteousness of Christ. 00:39:32.980 --> 00:39:33.960 It's wonderful, isn't it? 00:39:33.960 --> 00:39:37.420 This is the ultimate way 00:39:37.420 --> 00:39:39.039 that Jesus proves himself 00:39:39.039 --> 00:39:40.920 to be the friend of sinners. 00:39:41.920 --> 00:39:44.059 John 15, Jesus himself says, 00:39:44.800 --> 00:39:47.119 greater love has no man than this 00:39:47.119 --> 00:39:49.940 that someone lay down his life 00:39:49.940 --> 00:39:51.000 for his friends. 00:39:52.139 --> 00:39:53.340 Romans chapter 5, 00:39:54.699 --> 00:39:56.159 in this the love of God is seen. 00:39:56.159 --> 00:40:00.399 not only that Christ died for us 00:40:00.399 --> 00:40:01.899 but that while we were sinners 00:40:01.899 --> 00:40:04.659 Christ died for us. 00:40:06.299 --> 00:40:07.460 Let's bring it to a close. 00:40:08.139 --> 00:40:08.819 You've been so good. 00:40:08.899 --> 00:40:09.859 You're enduring so well. 00:40:12.940 --> 00:40:14.599 The encounter with the friend of sinners 00:40:14.599 --> 00:40:15.259 teaches us 00:40:15.259 --> 00:40:17.879 that salvation is not about who we are. 00:40:18.299 --> 00:40:19.739 It's about who he is. 00:40:19.739 --> 00:40:23.759 Salvation or the encounter 00:40:23.759 --> 00:40:24.579 with the friend of sinners 00:40:24.579 --> 00:40:26.379 teaches us that Jesus' offer 00:40:26.379 --> 00:40:28.299 is not about physical satisfaction. 00:40:28.539 --> 00:40:30.000 It's about spiritual salvation. 00:40:30.500 --> 00:40:31.339 He's not just trying to make 00:40:31.339 --> 00:40:32.199 your life better now. 00:40:32.539 --> 00:40:34.339 His purpose is not to make you happy now. 00:40:35.159 --> 00:40:36.419 It's way greater than that. 00:40:36.479 --> 00:40:37.559 It's an extraordinary offer. 00:40:37.959 --> 00:40:39.319 The third thing it teaches us 00:40:39.319 --> 00:40:41.179 is that receiving salvation 00:40:41.179 --> 00:40:43.439 is not about what you can do for him. 00:40:44.159 --> 00:40:45.339 It's about faith 00:40:45.339 --> 00:40:47.079 and what he's already done for you 00:40:47.079 --> 00:40:48.500 on the cross 00:40:48.500 --> 00:40:49.980 in the resurrection 00:40:49.980 --> 00:40:51.559 to bring you life. 00:40:53.380 --> 00:40:54.679 Jesus paid the price 00:40:54.679 --> 00:40:55.679 for this living water 00:40:55.679 --> 00:40:58.199 through his death and resurrection. 00:40:59.480 --> 00:41:00.739 And the amazing thing about it 00:41:00.739 --> 00:41:02.139 is he offers it freely 00:41:02.139 --> 00:41:05.219 to all who will turn from sin 00:41:05.219 --> 00:41:07.319 and trust in him. 00:41:09.059 --> 00:41:10.799 It's a beautiful thing to have friends. 00:41:10.880 --> 00:41:11.559 It really is. 00:41:11.559 --> 00:41:13.500 But nothing compares to friendship 00:41:13.500 --> 00:41:14.639 with the friend of sinners. 00:41:14.639 --> 00:41:18.319 Do you have friendship with him? 00:41:20.619 --> 00:41:22.279 Has your sins been forgiven? 00:41:22.619 --> 00:41:23.099 Do you know that? 00:41:23.960 --> 00:41:26.159 Are you at peace with God, 00:41:26.259 --> 00:41:26.940 with your creator? 00:41:27.279 --> 00:41:29.500 Is what awaits you beyond this life 00:41:29.500 --> 00:41:31.500 eternal life in the presence of God? 00:41:33.239 --> 00:41:35.139 Or will you face his judgment instead? 00:41:36.579 --> 00:41:38.279 Will you receive his friendship? 00:41:38.619 --> 00:41:39.460 That's the question. 00:41:40.259 --> 00:41:41.059 We write those letters 00:41:41.059 --> 00:41:42.559 when we're kids in elementary school. 00:41:42.940 --> 00:41:44.119 Remember doing it in fifth grade 00:41:44.119 --> 00:41:45.039 with Jennifer Muston. 00:41:45.579 --> 00:41:46.920 She sat next to me in class 00:41:46.920 --> 00:41:47.980 and she's a pretty little girl 00:41:47.980 --> 00:41:48.940 and I wrote a note one day 00:41:48.940 --> 00:41:49.359 and I said, 00:41:49.460 --> 00:41:50.519 will you be my girlfriend? 00:41:51.099 --> 00:41:52.099 Check yes or no. 00:41:53.139 --> 00:41:54.319 And I passed it over. 00:41:54.880 --> 00:41:56.039 And she passed it back. 00:41:56.539 --> 00:41:56.900 No. 00:41:57.960 --> 00:41:59.759 She didn't want to be my friend. 00:42:02.539 --> 00:42:03.960 It's almost as if Jesus is 00:42:03.960 --> 00:42:04.960 through the cross, 00:42:05.039 --> 00:42:05.880 he's writing this note 00:42:05.880 --> 00:42:06.440 and he says, 00:42:06.680 --> 00:42:08.820 will you receive my friendship? 00:42:11.640 --> 00:42:12.940 And he calls you to believe. 00:42:13.720 --> 00:42:14.880 Turn from your sin 00:42:14.880 --> 00:42:15.720 and believe. 00:42:17.240 --> 00:42:17.980 John 7. 00:42:18.780 --> 00:42:20.340 If anyone thirsts, 00:42:20.900 --> 00:42:22.619 let him come to me and drink. 00:42:24.260 --> 00:42:25.640 Whoever believes in me, 00:42:26.420 --> 00:42:27.599 out of his heart 00:42:27.599 --> 00:42:28.539 will flow rivers 00:42:28.539 --> 00:42:30.260 of living water. 00:42:30.619 --> 00:42:31.380 Whoever believes. 00:42:31.380 --> 00:42:47.360 NINGNINGNINGNING 00:42:47.360 --> 00:42:47.360 00:42:47.360 --> 00:42:47.360 00:42:47.360 --> 00:42:47.360 00:42:47.360 --> 00:42:47.360 00:42:47.360 --> 00:42:47.360 00:42:47.360 --> 00:42:47.360 00:42:47.360 --> 00:42:47.360 00:42:47.360 --> 00:42:47.360 00:42:47.360 --> 00:42:47.360 00:42:47.360 --> 00:42:47.360 00:42:47.360 --> 00:42:47.360 00:42:47.360 --> 00:42:47.360 00:42:47.360 --> 00:42:47.360 00:42:47.360 --> 00:42:47.360 00:42:47.360 --> 00:42:47.360 00:42:47.360 --> 00:42:47.360 00:42:47.360 --> 00:42:47.360 00:42:47.360 --> 00:42:47.360 00:42:47.360 --> 00:42:47.360 00:42:47.360 --> 00:42:47.360 00:42:47.360 --> 00:42:47.360 00:42:47.360 --> 00:42:47.360 00:42:47.360 --> 00:42:47.360 00:42:47.360 --> 00:42:47.360 00:42:47.360 --> 00:42:47.360 00:42:47.360 --> 00:42:47.360 00:42:47.360 --> 00:42:47.360 00:42:47.360 --> 00:42:47.360 00:42:47.360 --> 00:42:47.360 00:42:47.360 --> 00:42:47.360 00:42:47.360 --> 00:42:47.360 00:42:47.360 --> 00:42:47.360 00:42:47.360 --> 00:42:47.360 00:42:47.360 --> 00:42:47.360 00:42:47.360 --> 00:42:47.360 00:42:47.360 --> 00:42:47.360 00:42:47.360 --> 00:42:47.360 00:42:47.360 --> 00:42:47.360 00:42:47.360 --> 00:42:47.360 00:42:47.360 --> 00:42:47.360 00:42:47.360 --> 00:42:47.360 00:42:47.360 --> 00:42:47.360 00:42:47.360 --> 00:42:47.360 00:42:47.360 --> 00:42:47.360 00:42:47.360 --> 00:42:47.360 00:42:47.360 --> 00:42:47.360 00:42:47.360 --> 00:42:47.360 00:42:47.360 --> 00:42:47.360 00:42:47.360 --> 00:42:47.360 00:42:47.360 --> 00:42:47.360 00:42:47.360 --> 00:42:47.360 00:42:47.360 --> 00:42:47.360 00:42:47.360 --> 00:42:47.360 00:42:47.360 --> 00:42:47.360 00:42:47.360 --> 00:42:47.360 00:42:47.360 --> 00:42:47.360 00:42:47.360 --> 00:42:47.360 00:42:47.360 --> 00:42:47.360 00:42:47.360 --> 00:42:47.360 00:42:47.360 --> 00:42:47.360 00:42:47.360 --> 00:42:47.360 00:42:47.360 --> 00:42:47.360 00:42:47.360 --> 00:42:47.360 00:42:47.360 --> 00:42:47.360 00:42:47.360 --> 00:42:47.360 00:42:47.360 --> 00:42:47.360 00:42:47.360 --> 00:42:47.360 00:42:47.360 --> 00:42:47.360 00:42:47.360 --> 00:42:47.360 00:42:47.360 --> 00:42:47.360 00:42:47.360 --> 00:42:47.360 00:42:47.360 --> 00:42:47.360