Scripture: John 4:21 (ESV) – “Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father.’”
In response to the Samaritan woman’s question about the proper place of worship, Jesus shifts the focus from where worship happens to how and whom we worship. He tells her that a new era is coming—an era in which worship will no longer be confined to specific sacred locations like Mount Gerizim or Jerusalem. Instead, true worship will be defined by a relationship with the Father, not by geography.
John Calvin, in his Commentary on the Gospel of John, explains that this statement signals the end of the Old Covenant system and the beginning of something far greater. Under the Old Testament, worship was tied to the temple in Jerusalem, where sacrifices were offered and God’s presence was uniquely manifest. However, Jesus declares that with His coming, the time is near when worship will not be limited to a physical place but will be accessible to all who seek God in spirit and truth.
Calvin emphasizes that Jesus does not dismiss the significance of past worship practices but reveals that they were always meant to point toward a greater reality. He notes that many people today still place too much importance on external religious practices rather than on the heart of true worship. Jesus’ words remind us that worship is not about a specific church building, ritual, or tradition but about a heart that is devoted to knowing and loving God.
For us, this verse challenges us to examine our view of worship. Do we associate worship primarily with a place or a routine, or do we see it as a daily way of life centered on communion with God? Jesus teaches that worship is no longer about location but about spiritual nearness to the Father. This truth invites us to worship wherever we are, knowing that God’s presence is not confined to a temple but is with us always.
Reflection Questions:
- Why do you think Jesus wanted the Samaritan woman to move beyond focusing on where worship happens?
- Are there ways you have unintentionally limited your view of worship to certain places, traditions, or routines?
- How can you cultivate a lifestyle of worship that is centered on your relationship with God rather than on external practices?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank You for teaching us that true worship is not about a place but about a relationship with the Father. Help us to worship You with sincerity, whether we are in a church building, at home, or anywhere in our daily lives. Keep us from focusing too much on external forms of worship while neglecting our hearts. May we draw near to You in spirit and truth, rejoicing that You have made worship accessible to all through Your grace. In Your name, Amen.
This devotional is based on insights from John Calvin’s Commentary on the Gospel of John on John 4:21.
Covenant Presbyterian Church 