“The woman said to Him, “I know that Messiah is coming (He who is called Christ); when that One comes, He will declare all things to us. Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am He.” – John 4:25-26 (NASB)
This is part of the account of Jesus’ encounter with a woman at the well of Jacob in Samaria. It is recorded in the greater passage (John 4:1-45). Jesus, when he traveled from place to place seems to always have a purpose and often an appointment to meet specific people. That is the case with this story. While not fully understanding, this woman needed Jesus desperately and Jesus knew that for He knew all about her history. Yet she believed the Messiah was coming. Here in our verse Jesus tells her that He who was talking to her is the promised Messiah. It is interesting how Jesus identifies himself by saying “I (who speak to you) am He. However the word He has been added by translators for clarity. What Jesus says to her is “I (who speak to you) AM.” Twenty-three times in all we find our Lord’s meaningful “I AM” (ego eimi, Gr.) in this gospel. In several of these, He joins His “I AM” with seven metaphors which are expressive of His saving relationship toward the world. This is the promise, that Jesus of Nazareth was and still is the Christ, sent from the Father.
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Esengo Mingi 