Worship at the Well

In John 4, Jesus encounters the woman at the well. The differences between them couldn't be more clear: He was a man, she was a woman. He was a Jew, she was a Samaritan (the Bible says that Jews and Samaritans had no dealings with each other). She had five husbands and was a social outcast. He was the Savior of the world. She came to the well to get water at the hottest part of the day (probably to avoid those who would give her the side-eye and the cold shoulder).

Jesus sought her out and lovingly asked her questions that cut to the heart of her situation. At the well, the strange Rabbi asked her about her husbands' whereabouts and then revealed His omniscience (knowledge of everything) by telling her things only God would know.

So, in the presence of God Himself, how did she respond? She tried to deflect from her sin by goading Jesus into a religious argument. See, the Samaritans worshipped on Mount Gerazim, a mountain to the north, while the Jews worshipped in Jerusalem.

Jesus pointed her to the real issue of worship: the heart. He told her that true worshippers of the Father worship in Spirit and truth. Today, we are compelled by Jesus' love to do the same: to worship. True worship is in the Holy Spirit and according to the truth of God's Word. It's giving worth to God and Who He is.

The woman left her sin and her shame, and immediately started worshipping. Did she sing a song or play an instrument? No. She worshipped by witnessing. She went to people she previously avoided and boldly proclaimed that Jesus was the Messiah. As a result, many people were saved!