“Sir,” the woman said, “you must be a prophet. So tell me, why is it that you Jews insist that Jerusalem is the only place of worship, while we Samaritans claim it is here at Mount Gerizim, where our ancestors worshiped?” Jesus replied, “Believe me, dear woman, the time is coming when it will no longer matter whether you worship the Father on this mountain or in Jerusalem. You Samaritans know very little about the one you worship, while we Jews know all about Him, for salvation comes through the Jews. But the time is coming – indeed it’s here now – when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way. For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.” The woman said, “I know the Messiah is coming – the one who is called Christ. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.” Then Jesus told her, “I am the Messiah!” John 4:19-26 NLT

This remarkable passage of scripture is in the middle of the story often referred to as “the woman at the well” (Note 1). It is an exchange between Jesus and a Samaritan woman. Samaria was enemy territory for Jews; and, moreover, this woman was a sinner. Even so, she showed openness by serving Him a drink, and by responding in humility to Jesus’ strange discourse about living water. And to His exposing her marital history.

Thinking this strange Jewish traveler was a prophet, the woman turned the conversation to worship. And, not surprisingly, Jesus taught what true worship means and will mean in the coming days. True worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth (Note 2). The Father is seeking such people. The punchline in the passage comes in verse 26. Jesus reveals to the Samaritan woman that He is the Messiah.

Today is a day of worship. Let us worship in spirit and truth.

Note 1: Jesus had determined to travel from Jerusalem to Galilee. Historic animosity between the Jewish people and the Samaritans most often caused Jewish people to avoid traveling straight north through Samaria to Galilee, choosing instead to circle around to the east of Samaria. But Jesus had a divine obligation and wished to demonstrate God’s love for an outcast people. Weary from the journey (He was fully human), Jesus stopped at Sychar where Jacob’s well was located (the well was still productive after 1,800 years). A woman came to draw water.

Note 2: “True worship must be in spirit, that is, engaging the whole heart. Unless there’s a real passion for God, there is no worship in spirit. At the same time, worship must be in truth, that is, properly informed. Unless we have knowledge of the God we worship, there is no worship in truth. Both are necessary for God-honoring worship. Spirit without truth leads to a shallow, overly emotional experience that could be compared to a high. As soon as the emotion is over, when the fervor cools, the worship ends. Truth without spirit can result in a dry, passionless encounter that can easily lead to a form of joyless legalism. The best combination of both aspects of worship results in a joyous appreciation of God informed by Scripture. The more we know about God, the more we appreciate Him. The more we appreciate, the deeper our worship. The deeper our worship, the more God is glorified.” (What Does It Mean To Worship The Lord In Spirit And Truth, gotquestions.org)