Scripture: John 4:20 (ESV) – “Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you say that in Jerusalem is the place where people ought to worship.”
After Jesus reveals her past, the Samaritan woman redirects the conversation to a long-standing religious debate between Jews and Samaritans. Instead of focusing on her personal need for salvation, she raises a question about the proper location for worship—whether it should be on Mount Gerizim, where the Samaritans worshiped, or in Jerusalem, where the Jews worshiped. This shift from personal conviction to theological debate is a common human response when confronted with truth.
John Calvin, in his Commentary on the Gospel of John, explains that the Samaritan woman’s question is an attempt to avoid dealing with the deeper spiritual issues Jesus has exposed. Rather than immediately acknowledging her need for grace, she turns to external religious matters. Calvin notes that many people react this way when confronted with the gospel—they focus on secondary issues instead of addressing their hearts before God.
However, Calvin also points out that her question is not entirely irrelevant. The dispute between Jews and Samaritans over the true place of worship was a real issue, and she likely wanted Jesus’ perspective. Yet, as Jesus will soon explain, the focus should not be on where people worship but on how they worship. True worship is not confined to a specific place—it is about worshiping God in spirit and truth.
For us, this verse challenges us to examine whether we sometimes hide behind religious discussions to avoid facing personal conviction. It also reminds us that true worship is not about locations, traditions, or external rituals but about a heart that is genuinely devoted to God.
Reflection Questions:
- Why do you think the Samaritan woman shifts the conversation from her personal life to a religious debate?
- Are there ways you tend to focus on external religious matters instead of addressing your own heart before God?
- How can you grow in worshiping God in spirit and truth rather than being distracted by outward traditions?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank You for showing us that true worship is not about a place but about a heart that seeks You in spirit and truth. Help us not to avoid Your conviction by focusing on secondary matters, but to come before You with honesty and humility. Teach us to worship You with sincerity, longing to know You more deeply. Remove any distractions that keep us from true communion with You. In Your name, Amen.
This devotional is based on insights from John Calvin’s Commentary on the Gospel of John on John 4:20.
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