We will focus on the relevance of vs. 25 and 26, but let's first read this in context . . .
JOHN 4:19-26
19 The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet.
20 Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.
21 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father.
22 Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.
23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
25 The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things.
26 Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he.
The title of this post is "JESUS Declares His DEITY" but anyone reading this passage of Scripture above will not find any such statement from the LORD. He never claimed to be God anywhere in these verses. He did elsewhere however:
JOHN 8:58
Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.
JOHN 10:30-33
30 I and my Father are one.
31 Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him.
32 Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me?
33 The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.
In our present text, He and the Samaritan woman are discussing spiritual matters when the LORD suddenly shows insight into this woman's life, whom He had never met before. She then realized that Jesus must be a prophet and so, engages in these spiritual matters.
The LORD's response to her question regarding the authorized place of worship (Jerusalem or Mt. Gerizim) is something vital to us Christians and must be understood: That those who worship the Father must do so in Spirit and in Truth! The Father actively seeks out those who will worship Him accordingly.
The Samaritan woman seems resigned in being able to solve this question and states that when the Messiah comes, He will reveal the answers to all such questions. That was something that both Jew and Samaritan agreed upon.
The very Scripture that is anointed of God would be rightly and thoroughly interpreted by the "anointed One" or Messiah of Israel. He will bring light and understanding to every verse of Scripture as these are those that testify of He, Himself: The LORD Jesus the Christ ("Messiah"):
JOHN 5:39
Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.
Some might see the verses quoted above where Jesus claims Deity to be a bit obscure, but here He emphatically declares that He is indeed the Messiah (JOHN 4:26)! He made the same clear and bold declaration before:
MATT 16:15-17
15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ [Messiah], the Son of the living God.
17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
So what does His claiming to be the Messiah have anything to do with His claiming to be Deity - God, that is?
A thorough examination and understanding of Old Testament Scripture in its portrayal of the Person of the Messiah will in fact, reveal that the Word testifies of His Deity. Rather than go into all of the details of that here, may I encourage you to read this series on The TRUTH Under FIRE, "JESUS is GOD".
I pray that this will greatly bless you, and also those that you may know, who don't believe this truth; whether they are atheist, agnostic, Jehovah's Witness, Mormon, New Spirituality adherents, etc. perhaps they will come to understand this, after reviewing this series . . .
JESUS is GOD - PART One
JESUS is GOD - PART Two
JESUS is GOD - PART Three
JESUS is GOD - PART Four
JESUS is GOD - PART Five
For more about the historicity of the authentic person of Jesus of Nazareth and biblical testimony that He is indeed the Christ, God manifested in the flesh, read this article (which is loaded with links to other articles!) by COLD CASE CHRISTIANITY:
The Case for the Historicity and Deity of Jesus (Free Bible Insert)
MAY THE LORD BLESS AND KEEP US, HIS SAINTS, HIS CHILDREN, HIS INHERITANCE UNTIL THE DAY OF HIS SOON RETURN!
Next time we will go over JOHN 4:32-38 "MEAT and GREET"
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