In Spirit and In Truth

In John chapter 4, we read the story of the woman at the well.

Jesus asks her for a drink of water, and she is surprised because He is a Jew and she is a Samaritan. Jesus then tells her that if she knew who He was, she would have asked Him for living water. Intrigued by His words, she desires the water He is speaking about.

At that time, Jews and Samaritans had a long history of division. One of their greatest disagreements centered on worship. The Samaritans believed God should be worshiped on the mountain in Samaria, while the Jews believed worship should take place in Jerusalem.

John 4:21–24

Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father. You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

Jesus’ answer was remarkably simple, yet deeply profound.

As we reflect on this passage today, we can still see religious traditions, opinions, and ideologies that often divide us. Yet Jesus’ answer remains unchanged: Worship the Father in spirit and in truth.

When we receive Jesus as our Lord, His Spirit comes to live within us. Because of that, we have continual access to the Father. Yet too often we try to worship Him through our own strength, traditions, or ideas instead of yielding to His Spirit.

Today, set aside your preconceived ideas and simply let God be God. Lift your hands and your heart to Him. Worship Him in spirit and in truth, and thank Him for who He is.

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