Jesus said to her, “Go, call your husband, and come here.” John 4:16 WEB
Christ’s words to the Samaritan woman as she draws water from a well give insight to those who worship God with a hardened heart. She knows of prophets, God and worship but is far from spiritual truth. This Samaritan woman even knows the Jewish prophecy of a Messiah, but is still far from living a godly life. After her interaction with Jesus, she wonders if he is the Messiah. In fact, Christ reveals this directly to her.
Interestingly, Jesus’ directive, “call your husband” opens up an opportunity to share the truth of the Samaritan woman’s sinful lifestyle. She responds honestly in John 4:17 saying, “I have no husband. WEB” Jesus replies revealing that he knows more than any mere man could about her life. Continuing in John 4:17-18 he says, “You said well, ‘I have no husband,’ for you have had five husbands; and he whom you now have is not your husband. This you have said truly. WEB”
The woman is shocked that Jesus knows her life story. The Lord then teaches the woman about worshiping God in spirit and in truth. She is so impressed with Christ that she returns to the city encouraging people to meet with Jesus. She says to them in John 4:29, “Come, see a man who told me everything that I did. Can this be the Christ? WEB”
God Knows Everything
Jesus’ interaction with the woman at the well is similar to God’s confrontation of Cain after he killed his brother Abel. The Lord asked Cain in Genesis 4:9, “Where is your brother Abel?” In contrast to the Samaritan woman’s honest response to Christ, Cain responded with deception saying, “I know not: Am I my brother’s keeper? WEB” God already knows everything about each of us. Despite our failings, the Lord desires a personal, truthful, spiritual relationship with you and me.
Of course, God and Christ knew exactly the circumstances in each of these situations. However, like a parent giving a child the opportunity to honestly interact over difficult circumstances, in each instance the Lord withheld sharing intimate knowledge until given a response.
It would not have seemed unusual for Christ to ask the Samaritan woman to “call your husband” to the well. In those times, unrelated men and women rarely interacted with one another. The presence of her husband would ensure that no accusation of impropriety could be leveled against either of them.
Prayer: “Father God, thank you for the truth of your holy word. Thank you for making yourself available to me in spirit and truth. Guide me to live according to your will. Help me to share the truth of your word with the world. In Jesus name – Amen”
Yesterday’s Devotional: Christ Made Us Free
