Mensa Otabil - Jesus Is The Way (10/04/2025)
We’re still studying John chapter 4 as we listen to the conversation. Jesus is having a dialogue with the Samaritan woman, and He now tells us what a relationship with God is all аbout: that God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth. Now we continue the conversation in John chapter 4, verses 25 and 26. The woman said to Him, «I know that the Messiah is coming, who is called Christ. When He comes, He will tell us all things.» Jesus said to her, «I who speak to you am He.»
In spite of this woman’s ignorance about religious matters, she got something right; she knew that there was a Messiah to come and that the Messiah, when He arrives, will reveal things. I think she begins to believe that this could be the Messiah because of the kind of conversation they are having and the depth of spiritual truth that is unfolding. This could be the Messiah. We don’t know how she learned this truth; she may have learned about it when she was young, perhaps by attending a religious school or some training that taught her that God loves her and that He will send a Messiah.
Like most Samaritans, she has been waiting for this Messiah. Both the Samaritans and the Jews anticipated this Messiah, knowing that if He comes, all religious conflicts and arguments about who is right and who is wrong will end because the Messiah will make it clear. Then Jesus makes a very profound statement; He never made this statement to anyone else except to this woman. Even to His disciples, He didn’t make this declaration. He asked them whom they thought He was, and then they offered their opinions. But to this woman, Jesus revealed Himself, saying, «I who speak to you am He.»
When Jesus said that, He was also declaring Himself to be God because He said, «I am.» The phrase «I am» is speaking to you right now. In other words, He’s saying to the woman, «Jehovah is talking to you right now.» Can you imagine the transition that brings her to this moment? This woman, going to fetch water and seeing a Jewish rabbi, now encounters God Himself. That is where true transformation occurs-when people encounter God Himself, when they encounter Jehovah not in another form but as He is, in spirit and in truth.
When Jesus answered the woman this way, she knew that her life would never be the same. This is what she had been seeking from man after man-six men so far-looking for happiness, fulfillment, and joy. People have abused her, and she is trying to find some meaning in life. Then, all of a sudden, meaning enters her life from this rabbi sitting at the well. God visits the woman, and that is evangelism 101-taking people from their felt need for water to the real need for God. So Jesus transitions her from water to God, and tomorrow, when we read, you will find what she did when she reached this point. It is a remarkable story, and I pray that you would also find God in this way-not just in a church building, not just through a pastor, but to find God in spirit and in truth.
Let us pray. Say with me, «Heavenly Father, thank you for revealing Yourself to us through Christ. I accept Him as my Lord and Savior. In Jesus' name, amen.» And amen. That is salvation. I am Pastor Mensa Otabil. Shalom-peace and life to you.