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This verse is taken from:
John 4. 1-30
“search the scriptures” John 5:39
It is humbling to the human spirit to know that the eternal God is seeking worshippers: true worshippers, who come to Him by faith, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and on the ground of truth. These are the men and women He is looking for.
These incredible words that form our command for today were spoken to an audience of one - a sinful Samaritan woman. Resting by the well, the Master took an interest in her. His words and kind demeanour convicted her of her sin, but also won the confidence of her soul.
The Samaritans, to the Jews, were outcasts because they had set up their own form of worship on Mount Gerizim, although it had no scriptural authority. Jesus condemned their religion, v. 22, but He told her that salvation was of the Jews - God had designed the nation of Israel to be the conveyors of His truth. However, the Jews had reduced what God had ordained to ritual, ceremony, and hypocrisy.
At this point in the conversation Jesus spoke these amazing words. The hour that ‘was to come’ had arrived. A new system of worship to God was inaugurated by the presence of the Christ. It would not be in Gerizim nor in the earthly sanctuary of the Temple. The veil would soon be rent in two, and, later, the temple itself would be reduced to rubble. However, any who believed on Jesus as Lord could worship God anywhere on earth - the presence of God can be known anywhere by faith, under the influence of the Spirit, and on the ground of truth.
How important that these profound truths are remembered! Worship based on truth but missing the Spirit is not worship. Worship that seems spiritual but is not based on the truths of God’s word is not worship. God’s pattern for true worship is given us in Revelation chapter 5. That company sing of the worthiness of the Lamb: His eternal merit; the death that He died; the redemption He procured; the blood that He shed; the resurrection that He accomplished; the honours He deserves. May we never lose the wonder of Calvary as we worship Him ‘in Spirit and in truth’.
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