Getting past the superficial

November 8, 2006

By Gary Rogers

In John 4:20 a Samaritan woman responded to Jesus’ witness by saying, “Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, and you Jews say that in Jerusalem is the place where one ought to worship” (NKJV).

Jesus was talking to her about living water that would spring up into everlasting life, and she changed the subject to religious practice. In witnessing to the lost, it is hard to get them to distinguish the difference between a personal relationship with Jesus that springs up to eternal life and doing something labeled “religious.” Many times the topic of religion is used as a side step to take the conversation off course.

The Samaritans, as a race, were the byproduct of intermarriage between Jews and foreigners. They were rejected by the Jews for the disregard of their birthright and ignoring the purity of their bloodline.

Mount Gerizim was the mountain established as the Samaritans’ place of worship. There the Samaritans built a temple and combined Judaism and paganism in developing their own form of worship. In 128 B.C. under the Jewish Maccabean rule, their temple was destroyed. But the Samaritans continued to worship on that mountain.

“Woman,” Jesus responded, “believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father” (verse 21).

Jesus wanted the woman to understand that worship is not based upon location, ritual or ceremony. Worship, Jesus explained, is based on seeking God in truth. “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth” (verse 24).

Too often, we are sidetracked with empty religious activity. Jesus wants us to seek Him for who is He, and know Him in a personal relationship. Like the Samaritan woman, we need to hear the voice of Jesus as He calls us out of superficial religion and into a true and spiritual encounter with Him.

Gary Rogers is senior pastor of First Assembly of God in Coweta, Okla.