19 "Sir," the woman said, "I can see that you are a prophet. 20 Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem."
21 Jesus declared, "Believe me, woman, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. 22 You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews.
Jesus had just shown the spotlight on her life, albeit mildly, and our woman at the well rightly does not deny what He has brought to light. Indeed, unlike most who come out in a rage when confronted with the truth of their behavior - unwilling to be touched in such a sore place or to be told of a fault as they could not bear it, our protagonist gives rare response to Jesus’ disclosure of her actions. Indeed the proverb is true:
6 Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses. Prov 27:6 (NIV)
Ironically, rebukes may often be more genuine expressions of true friendship than kisses as they are given to help those back to the narrow path which, of course, is for their benefit. It is on this path that we are enabled to taste the comforts of the love of God.
“As long as we feed on the husks of the world, and are in love with it, we are neither willing nor able to taste the comforts of the love of God; but when sin and the world are become an abomination to us, and we desire to be rid of them, and seek diligently unto Jesus Christ for the help of his grace, and the benefit of his blood, we are then in a right way to receive the love of God, and every blessing of salvation: and though we are chastened by the Lord, yet he is not angry with us, but does it to embitter sin and the world more and more to us, and to make us loathe them, that we may not be condemned with the world.” K. H. Von Bogatzky
Paul in writing to the Corinthians seals this point as well:
8 Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it. Though I did regret it--I see that my letter hurt you, but only for a little while-- 9 yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us. 10 Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. 2 Cor 7:8-10 (NIV)
This wounded woman looks up and respectfully addresses Jesus as “Sir” showing forth the effects of Christ’s meekness in His reproof of her – through this she had gained a new respect for Him. Next, she acknowledges Him to be a prophet. The word translated “prophet” is from the Greek word “Prophetes” meaning “an interpreter of a divine message; indicating one to whom and through whom God spoke; one who shows forth God’s will, especially of His saving purpose; one who is given divine mysteries and communicates them to others.” Hebrew-Greek Key Word Study Bible New Testament Lexical Aids. By looking closely with interest and careful observation, she could see that Jesus was One though whom God spoke and she took heed. Lastly, she desires further instruction from Jesus regarding worship seemingly confused over where God desired worship to take place. When it is apparent that God moves His hand, the creature is moved to worship. All throughout Scripture we find this to be true. I am reminded of the account in Scripture when the angel told the Mary’s that Jesus had risen just as He had said. They scurried off to tell the disciples and suddenly Jesus met them on their way. The account goes as follows:
8 So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 Suddenly Jesus met them. "Greetings," he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me." Matt 28:8-10 (NIV)
“Great is my love, reaching to the heavens; My faithfulness reaches to the skies. You can feel wonderfully secure in Love that has no limits – no boundaries beyond which it ceases to exist. May faithfulness also has no bounds, so it will never run short. Your best response to these marvelous gifts is worship. I take pleasure in your praise, which blesses both Me and you – putting you into proper alignment with My glorious Presence. The more you praise Me, the more you will be able to reflect My Glory among the peoples. This is the work of the Holy Spirit, who is transforming you into My likeness with ever-increasing Glory. As you draw near Me through worship, I change you profoundly – empowering you to make Me known to others.” Sarah Young
9 I will praise you, O Lord, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples. 10 For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies. 11 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth. Psalms 57:9-11 (NIV)
Jesus shows this woman His indifference regarding the place we choose to worship yet what is essential is that we worship – even if our knowledge is now incomplete.
“Worship may be true where yet it is not pure and entire. Our Lord Jesus was pleased to reckon himself among the worshippers of God: ‘We worship’. Let not the greatest of men think the worship of God below them, when the Son of God himself did not.” Matthew Henry