A Passion for JesusSample

The Jews had a long history of expectation. They were waiting for their coming Savior, their promised Messiah. Prophecy after prophecy had prepared them for the anointed one. He would be a prophet like Moses, a priest like Melchizedek, and a king like David. He would sit on the throne of David and reign forever. This is who Jesus claimed to be.

The first person he told was a Samaritan woman (John 4:5-30). Jesus met her at a well in the heat of the day. His disciples had gone into a nearby town to buy food while Jesus waited. That’s when she showed up alone. The other women had already come. She was ostracized after having been married and divorced five times. Her sin led to shame. She needed a savior.

At the end of their conversation the Samaritan woman said to Jesus, “I know that the Messiah is coming” (John 4:25 ESV), and Jesus responded to her, “I who speak to you am he” (John 4:26 ESV).

There it was, plain and unmistakable. Jesus did not claim to be another prophet of Israel. He did not say he was a good rabbi in a long line of religious teachers. He was more than an example of morality. Jesus claimed to be the Messiah.

The long wait was over. The Old Testament prophesies came true. Jesus fulfilled them. He was born of a virgin. He was born in Bethlehem. He was a descendent of Abraham and David. He was called out of Egypt. He was called a Nazarene. He was proceeded by a forerunner. He performed signs of healing. He preached good news to the poor. He was called the Son of God and the Son of Man. He came riding on a donkey. He was betrayed for thirty pieces of silver. He was the rejected cornerstone. He was pierced. He suffered in our place. He was a willing sacrifice. He was the Passover Lamb. He was lifted up. He was buried with the rich. But death was not the end. Jesus was raised to life again.

The Samaritan woman believed Jesus and immediately went back to her town to testify. Many others came to see Jesus because of her word, and they said, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world” (John 4:42 ESV).

If this is true, what will you do?