Dear Explorer,
Re-read John 4:1-6
There's an interesting word found in John 4:4. There are two routes to get from Judea to Galilee. One is much longer because it goes around the country of Samaria. The other is shorter and goes right through Samaria. Most Jews chose the longer route to avoid contact with the Samaritans. We'll talk more about this prejudice at another study, but today I want to talk about this little word “had to” or “must”.
The Holy Spirit apparently had directed Jesus to go through Samaria, so Jesus told his disciples He “had to” or “must” go that way. Do you think Jesus could have chosen not to go that route?
I believe He could have disobeyed – but then He wouldn't be sinless. I believe He had the freedom to choose or He wouldn't have been fully human – He would have been a robot or machine!
The definition of sin is choosing to do things our way instead of God's way. It is SELF in the control center.
You and I were born with SELF in full control. Our core was empty. Jesus is the only One who lived a totally sinless life. Never once did He disobey the Holy Spirit's direction to Him. He was 100% obedient.
Hold it! Let's get this straight! Everyone is born with a God-shaped hole at their core. Yes.
Therefore, the only way they can operate, make decisions, or “be” is through SELF. Yes.
So now you are telling me that if SELF makes the decisions, it is sin? Exactly.
In theology it is called Original Sin. It's just the package deal that everyone gets at birth. Paul wrote in Romans 3:23, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (NIV) That means everyone – no exceptions.
So that empty God-shaped void inside of you must be filled with God for you to be in a right relationship with God.
But we still haven't discussed the question of how that happens. I promise, it's in this story about Jesus talking to the woman at the well.
So, back to the story:
The final thing I want you to see in today's Scripture is that Jesus was really and truly human. What evidence do you find for that in John 4:6?