Last week, we looked at three of six aspects of the love Jesus shared with the Samaritan woman at the well, as recorded in John 4. This is an important study because of how the woman responded to Jesus’ love: she changed her life and then went and brought others to Jesus. This week, we’ll notice the final three aspects of Jesus’ life-changing love.
Love teaches the truth (John 4:17-24). Teaching the truth about adultery to an adulterous woman was not easy. As a Jew, teaching the truth about worship to a Samaritan was not easy. Jesus was not argumentative in his approach, but he made sure to address the truth that needed to be addressed. We should be willing to courageously discuss people’s relationship to sin (Acts 8:18-24). We must also teach the truth in doctrinal matters (1 Tim. 1:3-7).
It’s all too common to hear people say that we need to water down the truth (or discover “new” truth) in
order to reach people with the gospel. However, we can’t reach people with Christ if we don’t teach what Christ taught, endorsed, and inspired. True love teaches the truth, no matter how “offensive” some find it.
Love reflects its source (John 4:19-20, 25). After their discussion about her marriages, she clearly knew he was more than “just another Jew”—telling people their secrets can do that. Their discussion about worship caused her to think about the coming Messiah. Through their conversation, she knew Jesus was special. Even though he had to specifically tell her he was the Christ, her mind was turned toward God and she knew this man was like Him. Through interaction with us, the world should know to whom we belong (Acts 4:13). Our lives and our compassion should display to others where (more correctly “from whom”) our love originates (1 Jn. 4:7-8).
Love introduces people to Christ (John 4:26). She set him up with an opportunity to tell exactly who he was by mentioning the Messiah (Christ). Our love for souls should be looking toward the goal of introducing others to the Savior. Our mission is to bring souls to Him (2 Cor. 4:5-7). It is not about us, but about the power Christ can have in the lives of people.
Our love for others is not fully expressed until we give others the opportunity to know Christ as their Savior.
May we have a great week sharing Jesus’ love with those around us!
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