I would like to add and welcome a new person to our little virtual bible study. Cesar Malan was a Swiss born evangelist who was ousted from the Swiss church for his reformed theology and went on to become a type of missionary for the Church of Scotland in Switzerland. He has written some excellent commentaries and since I have added his words a couple of times already I figure if any were interested I would introduce who was speaking. I pray God uses these timeless words and strips away any foolishness and we find rest in His revealed word.
Jhn 4:25 The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things.
Jhn 4:26 Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am.
- What is the women implying in her statement?
- What attribute of God is represented here?
- Does it make a difference in interpretation that the (he) in verse 26 is not there in the original Greek?
We have seen the patient but faithful word do its work on this women. At last the poor soul has been striped away of all self-righteousness and driven from every false refuse. Only at this point is she prepared and made ready for the revealed Savior. She had asked "how" and Christ graciously spoke of the gifts of God. She asked "whence" and He without rebuke patiently replied and referred her to His living water. She asked "where" and Christ lovingly removed her hiding placing and revealed to her His Spirit. And now her questions end and her speech is only of "who". And with that Christ comforts the sinner and spoke "I am". Nothing more is, or needs, to be added.
A commentary by an 18th century Swiss evangelist had this to say. "It wasn’t a mount nor temple; Samarian nor Jew. She had found Jesus - Savior - God. A sinner and a revealed savior have meet face to face and all is settled, once and forever. She discovered the wonderful fact that the one who had ask her for a drink, knew all there was to know about her, could tell her all that she had done, revealed himself to her as her Savior, revealed to her salvation. What more did she want: nothing" Cesar H Malan (1787 - 1864)
