Ruminating on The Woman at the Well I have been studying John 4 this week in preparation for tonight's bible study. I am wondering what Jesus was saying, to the woman and to us, in verse 23. Is Jesus suggesting that the woman, while telling the truth about her unmarried status, is not telling the whole truth? That is, being selective about the truth by omitting the mention of her five previous husbands. It seems to me that she is being true to the letter of the truth (as Jesus points out in verses 17 and 18), but not to the spirit of truth. In other words, she is trying to live by the letter of the law and not by its spirit.
This reminds me of a Brady Bunch episode (#89) where Greg fails to take out the garbage the evening before the morning pick-up. His father punishes him, but Greg argues that the agreement was simply that the garbage be out on the curb by 7:00 in the morning. A lesson on living by the letter of the law ensues and all conclude that the spirit of the law is much better.
Back to scripture. I wonder if this is the truth that Jesus is speaking of. I think Jesus is pointing out that she is selecting the truth about God (verses 20-22) in the same way she selects the truth about her own life.
Message: True worshipers will acknowlege the truth of who Jesus is - Jesus is God; Jesus died for all of our sins; the kingdom belongs to Jesus - not selected parts that fit their desires of who Jesus is.
6:14:05 PM
