Today's Bible Chapter

John Chapter 4

John 4:24 – “Worship in Spirit and Truth”

The God [is] Pneuma, 1 and those worshipping Him must of necessity worship spiritually and in harmony with Truth.” 2
1 The God [is] Pneuma: Or, KJV: God is a spirit; ABU: God is Spirit. It may be, God is spiritual and those who worship Him must do so spiritually. Jesus reveals God’s nature or main characteristic – He is not human or earthly, but an invisible Being who can exert a force on others. Compare Paul’s contrast of the soul-like with the spirit-like in 1 Corinthians 15.
2 Worship spiritually and in harmony with Truth: Or, spirit and truth. That is, true worship of God is not dependent on any material or physical place or thing in contrast to the nations and their worship of demons. It needs no candles, prayer beads, incense, music or a material temple. It needs no clerical hierarchy. True worship must be in harmony with Biblical truth. [John 17:17]

Dear Friends of the Nazarene,

We choose John 4:24 as the theme verse of chapter four – Samaritan Harvest and True Worship. Tired from his journeys the Nazarene Master rests at high noon beside a well. [1-6] There Jesus engages a Samaritan woman regarding ‘Living Water’. [7-15] Christ teaches regarding how ‘true worshippers worship in spirit and truth’. [16-26] As they approach, his disciples wonder why Jesus is talking to a woman. [27-30] He responds by speaking about his ‘food’ and the current ‘harvest’. [31-38] As a result of the woman’s testimony the Samaritans believe. [39-42]

Later the Galileans receive Jesus. [43-45] Jesus heals the sick son of a royal person in Cana. [46-54]

Abba our Father bless “true worshippers.”

[26 November 2002]

Notes from the People’s New Testament by B. W. Johnson -

The time is at hand, says the Lord, when a worship of forms, or at holy places, will not meet the demands of the Father. He must be worshiped with the heart, in spirit and in truth. Spiritual worship can be offered in any land, wherever the soul can humble itself before God. … “God is Spirit.” This declaration is fundamental. Since he is Spirit, he must receive spiritual worship, and is everywhere present.