Scripture: John 4:16 (ESV) – Jesus said to her, “Go, call your husband, and come here.”
At this moment in His conversation with the Samaritan woman, Jesus shifts from offering living water to addressing her personal life. By asking her to call her husband, He is not simply making conversation; rather, He is gently exposing the reality of her sin. Before she can fully receive the spiritual life He offers, she must first recognize her own need for salvation.
John Calvin, in his Commentary on the Gospel of John, explains that Jesus’ request was not meant to shame or humiliate the woman but to awaken her conscience. Calvin notes that Christ often leads people to self-examination before granting them grace. By revealing her moral state, Jesus prepares her heart to receive the gospel. Calvin also emphasizes that this is a pattern in how God works—He does not merely comfort sinners; He first convicts them so they understand their need for a Savior.
Calvin further observes that many people resist confronting their sin, preferring to focus on external religious practices or earthly concerns rather than dealing with the true condition of their hearts. Yet, Jesus’ approach shows that salvation requires repentance. He does not condemn the woman outright but instead leads her toward acknowledging her spiritual thirst so that she might desire the living water He offers.
For us, this verse is a reminder that coming to Christ involves honesty about our sin. We cannot truly appreciate His grace until we recognize our need for it. Just as Jesus lovingly exposed the Samaritan woman’s past, He invites us to bring our brokenness before Him so that He may heal and transform us.
Reflection Questions:
- Why do you think Jesus asked the woman to call her husband rather than immediately revealing her sin?
- How does this passage challenge you to honestly examine areas of your life that need repentance?
- Have you ever experienced a moment when God gently confronted you with your need for His grace? How did that shape your faith?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, You see our hearts completely, yet You approach us with both truth and grace. Help us to be honest before You, recognizing our sin and our need for Your saving work. Give us the humility to allow You to expose what is hidden, knowing that Your purpose is to heal and restore us. May we always thirst for the living water You offer, trusting that only You can satisfy our souls. In Your name, Amen.
This devotional is based on insights from John Calvin’s Commentary on the Gospel of John on John 4:16.
Covenant Presbyterian Church 