Many folks put down the faith of simple Christians, because they lack knowledge and usually can’t defend their faith. However, those who do this sort of thing express their own lack of understanding of the faith. Jesus didn’t come preaching doctrines, instead he came unveiling the Father (John 1:18). He came in the flesh (John 1:1, 14) so all could witness what God is like. It wasn’t in a demonstration of words of wisdom to titillate the minds of men. Instead, he came demonstrating the power of God (Luke 7:20-23; cp. 1Corinthians 2:4, 13) in order to reach men’s hearts.
The educated elite of the Jews refused Jesus (John 7:47-49, 52), because, instead of submitting to him, knowing he was sent by God (John 3:1-2), they questioned him, believing his words were illogical (cp. John 2:19-20). Nevertheless, they didn’t realize he spoke spiritually (John 2:21). So, because their minds were dull concerning spiritual matters (Matthew 13:15), they didn’t believe him (John 3:11-12). Education is a good thing, if used correctly, but if one tries to prove spiritual truth using what one has learned in the world, one will come up short every time. God is Spirit (John 4:24), and men simply cannot prove spiritual matters by using physical tools.
Faith is spiritual. Trust can be demonstrated, but it cannot be held in one’s hand, nor can it be taught. It is something that is given or received, but it cannot be taken by force. The simple faith of the Samaritan woman was real. She knew nothing of Jesus prior to her meeting him at Jacob’s well, but when Jesus straightforwardly told her he was the Messiah (John 4:26), she not only believed but became a witness of what he did to her, and many others believed her word (John 4:39). They, also, simply believed. Perhaps they were naïve, but that doesn’t’ disqualify their faith. They believed without ever meeting Jesus, and nothing they were taught prior to hearing about him helped them believe. They simply believed what the woman said. That’s faith.
Others, on the other hand, didn’t immediately take the woman’s word as truth, but neither did they seek to discredit her. Instead, they went with the woman out of the city to meet Jesus and decide for themselves. They asked him to stay with them for awhile, which he did for two days (John 4:40), and then they believed, after hearing what he had to say (John 4:41-42).
The Kingdom of God is not food and drink (Romans 14:17). In other words, it is not a physical matter; it is spiritual. One cannot hold righteousness, peace or joy in the Spirit in one’s hand. Neither is one able to trade such things, as though they were merchandise in a marketplace. These things cannot be stolen, nor could one acquire them through a good education. They can’t be purchased, created or grown in a field. They are simply the fruits of one’s life in the Kingdom of God.
So, after two days, Jesus left Samaria and came into Galilee (John 4:43), having good success in a land considered unclean by Jesus’ countrymen. Although he had to flee Judea, his own country (John 4:1, 3-6, 8; cp. John 1:11), he was received by strangers who begged him to stay (John 4:44). So, with the Baptist now in prison (Matthew 4:12; Mark 1:14), Jesus returned to Galilee, where his public ministry began nearly one year ago (cp. Luke 4:16-29). Interestingly enough, both there in Luke’s narrative and here in John’s Jesus claimed he was not received by his own countrymen (John 4:44; cp. Luke 4:24). Yet, the text claims the Galileans received him for they, too, had been at the Feast (of Pentecost) and seen all the miracles he had done (John 4:45). Does this contradict John 4:44? Why would the writer of this narrative contradict himself immediately after making that statement? Rather, this should be understood in the light of John 4:48. Unless signs and wonders are seen, belief is withheld (cp. John 2:18, 23-25). More is happening here than is understood in a cursory read, but more about this in the next study.
Smoodock's Blog 