Scripture text: John 4: 39-46
These 2 short passages warn us about treating Jesus without honor just because we have some familiarity with Him.
I. To Seek Jesus Because You Know You Don’t Know Is Wise. (Vss. 39-42)
This passage tells of a journey Jesus and his disciples take from Jerusalem to Galilee, his home. Jesus chose to go through Samaria on his journey home. This was unusual because the Jews typically didn’t use that route due to their feelings toward the Samaritans. This passage tells the story of Jesus talking to a Samaritan woman at the well, a woman of loose morals and confused ideas. He talked with her and she had come to recognize Him as the Messiah for whom Jews and Samaritans waited.
The lesson: Anyone who seeks truth and ha an awareness of their need, tend to respond better to the Lord because He offers them something they know they don’t have and desperately need.
II. To Ignore Jesus Because You Think You Know Him Is Dangerous (vss. 43-46).
Jesus has returned home and He is in the synagogue. He was recognized as a rabbi and was asked to speak. He read from the prophecy of Isaiah that expressed the nature of the Messiah who was to come. he claimed to be the expected Messiah. The crowd was both excited and confused. They new Him as a young boy as He grew up. Now they had a familiarity issue with Him. It was difficult for them to accept Him as the Messiah. They were offended by His statement. In Luke, Luke explains that Jesus warned them that it was easy to ignore the claims of God’s work among them if the one doing the work was familiar to them.
III. Recognize Your Need To Know More About Jesus And Beware A False Familiarity
A. Two lessons to take from these passages:
- First lesson, We will rob ourselves of blessings if we don’t learn to see the greatness in all people.
- Our second lesson is to be careful not to take the Lord or His work for granted just because you are familiar with Him.
To claim to know Jesus but to fail to submit to His will is to show disbelief in His divinity.
Conclusion
It is wiser to consider the great potential of another person, than to write him or her off because their family or their abilities don’t seem important at first glance. You will be poorer if you don’t learn to see that potential.
It is better to seek out and welcome Jesus because you know you don’t know Him well, than to think you know Him, but ignore His commands and treat Him with indifference. Do not be guilty of dismissing Jesus, your family, friends, or just acquaintances, as though they are just part of the supporting cast of your life story. You may dishonor the One who gives you a life story in the first place.