Scripture: John 4:25 (ESV) – The woman said to him, “I know that Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ). When he comes, he will tell us all things.”
At this point in the conversation, the Samaritan woman acknowledges her belief in the coming Messiah, expressing her hope that He will reveal all truth. Though she does not yet realize she is speaking to the very Messiah she awaits, her statement shows that she has some knowledge of God’s promises. However, her understanding is still incomplete—she believes in a future event rather than recognizing the present reality before her.
John Calvin, in his Commentary on the Gospel of John, explains that this response shows both faith and misunderstanding. On the one hand, the Samaritan woman demonstrates a belief in the coming of the Messiah, which indicates that God’s promises were known even beyond the Jewish people. On the other hand, she delays faith by expecting a future teacher, rather than recognizing the fulfillment of God’s plan standing before her.
Calvin notes that this is how many people approach spiritual truth—they acknowledge God’s promises but fail to recognize when He is at work in the present. They say, “One day, I will believe. One day, I will seek God.” But faith must not be postponed. The Messiah had come, and now was the time to believe.
For us, this verse serves as a reminder that Jesus is not just a future hope—He is our present reality. Many people today, like the Samaritan woman, delay true faith, assuming they will respond to Christ at a later time. But Jesus invites us to recognize Him now. He is not just the teacher of the future; He is the Savior of today.
Reflection Questions:
- What does the Samaritan woman’s statement reveal about her expectations of the Messiah?
- Are there ways in which you delay fully responding to Christ, thinking you will follow Him more seriously in the future?
- How does knowing that Jesus has already come and fulfilled God’s promises encourage you to trust Him more fully today?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank You for coming as the promised Messiah, revealing the truth of God’s salvation. Help us not to delay faith, waiting for another time to follow You. Open our eyes to see that You are present with us now, calling us to trust and worship You today. May we not wait for another season but respond to You with full hearts, knowing that You are the fulfillment of all God’s promises. In Your name, Amen.
This devotional is based on insights from John Calvin’s Commentary on the Gospel of John on John 4:25.
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