Scripture: John 4:26 (ESV) – Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am he.”
This is one of the most remarkable moments in Jesus’ ministry. The Samaritan woman has just expressed her belief that the Messiah will come and reveal all things, and now, Jesus openly declares, “I who speak to you am he.” Unlike His interactions with many others, where He often spoke in parables or avoided directly calling Himself the Messiah, here Jesus makes a clear and personal revelation of His identity.
John Calvin, in his Commentary on the Gospel of John, highlights the significance of this moment. He notes that Jesus rarely declared Himself as the Messiah so openly because many people had false expectations of a political or military savior. However, in this case, Jesus reveals Himself clearly to the Samaritan woman, showing that He came for the outcasts and the spiritually thirsty, not just for the religious elite.
Calvin also points out that this declaration is a call to faith. The woman had spoken of the Messiah in future terms, expecting a time when He would explain all things. But Jesus corrects her thinking—the time is now, and He is standing before her. This moment is a reminder that we must not put off believing in Christ. The Messiah has already come, and the invitation to faith is immediate.
For us, this verse is a powerful confirmation of Jesus’ identity and a personal invitation to faith. Just as He revealed Himself to the Samaritan woman, He reveals Himself to us through His Word and the Holy Spirit. The question is, do we recognize Him and respond? Jesus is not just a teacher or prophet—He is the promised Savior, the fulfillment of all God’s promises.
Reflection Questions:
- Why do you think Jesus chose this moment to openly reveal His identity to the Samaritan woman?
- Are there ways in which you, like the woman, sometimes think of Jesus as a future hope rather than a present reality?
- How does knowing that Jesus is the promised Messiah shape your daily faith and trust in Him?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, we praise You as the promised Messiah, the fulfillment of God’s plan of salvation. Thank You for revealing Yourself not just to the religious leaders, but to those who are broken, outcast, and searching for truth. Help us to recognize You for who You are and to trust in You fully today, not waiting for another time. May our faith be deepened by knowing that You have come to save us. In Your name, Amen.
This devotional is based on insights from John Calvin’s Commentary on the Gospel of John on John 4:26.
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