John 4:1-42 | What is a lesson for the original audience?

There are two huge lessons that I want to focus on that ultimately come down to being one lesson. Jesus offers a living water that springs up within the individual so that they will never thirst again. He also teaches on the nature of worshipping in spirit and in truth here.

The lesson is one that bridges the gap between the two. For having the one enables you to freely do the other. This would have been understood by the original audience. In imparting the living water to this woman, she becomes so filled that she brings that to those in Samaria and we see them also becoming filled through this! They tasted and saw and believed upon Him. In short, they responded to this water in true worship. Spirit and truth are two elements that undergird the entire narrative. As Jesus pours of Himself, He pours into the woman spirit and truth. Rather than her continuing about in shame, she sheds light upon her situation to exalt Jesus. By that, many believed.

Jesus recognizes those that will worship in spirit and in truth are the true worshippers. Rather, He highlights that the true worshippers will worship in spirit and in truth. And who are these true worshippers but those that have taken of Jesus' living water? The lesson becomes clear for both the reader of the original audience and for us. We need the living water to be true worshippers of the Lord in spirit and in truth.

What lesson do you see for the original audience?