Book of John: John 3-4
This week we explored John chapters 3 and 4, two of the richest sections in Scripture for understanding Jesus’ mission. In these passages, Jesus has three striking encounters—with Nicodemus, a Pharisee; with a Samaritan woman at a well; and with a Roman official whose son was gravely ill. Each encounter reveals not only who Jesus is, but how people respond to Him, and together they form a picture of the Gospel moving outward: from Jerusalem, to Samaria, to the ends of the earth.
The Gospel of John’s Purpose
The Apostle John wrote with one aim in mind: to prove that Jesus is the Son of God. Throughout his Gospel, he carefully weaves together signs, discourses, and declarations to show that Jesus is not merely a teacher or prophet but the very Word of God, the Creator, the Light of the world, and the Savior who was rejected by His own. By the time we reach chapters 3 and 4, John has already set the foundation. What follows are real-life encounters that demonstrate what it means to believe in Jesus.
The Problem of Comparison
Before diving into the text, we were reminded of a universal struggle: comparison. All of us measure ourselves against others in some way—whether it be appearance, wealth, influence, intelligence, or even spirituality. Yet comparison diminishes our joy and clouds our understanding of God’s design for our lives. Scripture calls us to shift our gaze from others and fix it on Christ, the only true standard. When we compare ourselves to Him, we see our need for grace and our calling to be transformed into His likeness.
Nicodemus: Religion Without Rebirth
John introduces Nicodemus, a Pharisee and member of the Sanhedrin. He comes to Jesus at night, curious yet cautious, unwilling to risk his reputation. Despite his knowledge of Scripture and high religious standing, Jesus confronts him with this truth: “Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus is confused, but Jesus points him to promises Nicodemus should have known well, particularly Ezekiel 36, where God pledged to sprinkle His people with clean water, give them new hearts, and put His Spirit within them.
Nicodemus had studied the law, but he had not yet experienced transformation. His story warns us that religion, knowledge, and even sincere interest in spiritual matters cannot save us. What is required is a new birth—a cleansing from sin and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
The Samaritan Woman: Grace for the Broken
The scene shifts dramatically in chapter 4. Jesus, defying cultural norms, travels through Samaria, a region most Jews avoided because of centuries of hostility. At Jacob’s well, He meets a woman with a complicated past. She comes at noon, likely to avoid others, but finds herself face to face with the Messiah.
Their conversation is remarkable. Jesus asks her for water, then offers her “living water”—a gift that satisfies eternally. At first, she misunderstands, thinking He is speaking of physical water. But as He reveals her past and speaks of true worship, her defenses begin to fall. Finally, Jesus declares plainly, “I who speak to you am He.”
The woman, once ashamed, becomes a bold witness. She leaves her jar behind and runs to tell her village, “Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did.” Because of her testimony, many believed. Her story is a powerful reminder that Jesus meets us in our brokenness, and that sharing Him with others does not require expertise, only honesty about how He has changed our lives.
The Roman Official: Faith That Trusts the Word
Later in chapter 4, Jesus encounters a Roman official whose son is near death. In desperation, the man humbles himself before a Jewish rabbi, an extraordinary act for someone of his position. Jesus challenges him, lamenting that people often seek signs and wonders rather than simple faith. Yet when Jesus tells him, “Go; your son will live,” the man takes Him at His word. On the way home, he learns that his son recovered at the very hour Jesus had spoken, and his whole household came to believe.
This encounter highlights faith at its core: trusting in Jesus’ word before seeing the outcome. Unlike Nicodemus, who struggled to understand, or the woman, who needed her eyes opened gradually, the Roman official believed immediately and acted on Jesus’ promise.
A Gospel for All People
Together, these three encounters illustrate the expansive mission of Christ. Nicodemus represents the religious elite of Jerusalem. The Samaritan woman represents outsiders and the despised. The Roman official represents the nations beyond Israel. In each case, Jesus reaches across boundaries—of religion, culture, gender, and power—to reveal that the good news is for everyone. It is no accident that this progression mirrors the pattern Jesus later gives His disciples in Acts 1:8: first Jerusalem, then Samaria, then the ends of the earth.
He Must Increase, I Must Decrease
Running through these chapters is the theme captured in John the Baptist’s declaration: “He must increase, but I must decrease.” This is the heartbeat of discipleship. As Christ increases in our lives, pride diminishes, fear loosens its grip, and the need for human approval fades away. The call is not to simply accumulate knowledge or observe rituals, but to live in such a way that our lives point to Him.
A Challenge for Us Today
The stories of Nicodemus, the Samaritan woman, and the Roman official invite us to ask searching questions. Am I like Nicodemus, knowledgeable yet hesitant to fully step into the light? Am I like the Samaritan woman, broken yet bold in sharing the change Jesus has made in my life? Or am I like the Roman official, willing to trust Jesus’ word even before I see the results?
Each path leads us back to the same truth: Jesus meets us where we are, but He never leaves us unchanged. To follow Him is to walk out of darkness, into the light, and to live as witnesses of His grace.
And so the invitation remains: He must increase, and we must decrease.
Reflection & Study Questions
Where do I see myself most clearly: Nicodemus, the Samaritan woman, or the Roman official?
What keeps me from fully stepping into the light (John 3:19–21)?
What is my testimony? How can I share it simply with others this week?
In what area of my life do I need to practice John 3:30: “He must increase, but I must decrease”?
How can the history and promises of the Old Testament help me better understand Jesus’ mission?
Discipleship Next Steps
Read John 3–4 in one sitting. Notice the contrasts between each encounter.
Study Ezekiel 36 and Numbers 21 for the Old Testament connections Jesus draws.
Memorize John 3:30 and repeat it in moments of pride, fear, or temptation
Share your testimony. Like the Samaritan woman, tell someone: “I met Him, and He changed me.”
Evaluate obedience. Am I walking in the light, or hiding in the dark?
Final Challenge
These stories show us that Jesus meets us where we are—whether we’re religious but lost, broken and ashamed, or desperate for help. The question isn’t whether we’ve encountered Him, but how we will respond.
So—who do you best compare yourself to? And how will you live in light of that encounter this week?