The Revealer
The Samaritans did not get along well with the Jews.
They viewed themselves as children of God, but only read the Pentateuch and worshiped on their own mountain instead of in Jerusalem. They believed, like the Jews, in a Messianic-type figure who was to come, but unlike the Jews, the Samaritans put an emphasis on this figure’s role as a Revealer. They called him the Taheb.
In John 4, when Jesus encounters the woman at the well, it is likely that she sees Him as this Taheb (in actuality, He is far greater than the expected "Taheb"). This implied identification with the Samaritan savior fits well within the overall theme of the Gospel of John. Christ is the Word – the Word is Revelation – the Taheb was to be the Revealer. The Samaritans viewed their coming savior as a teacher, and Jesus was certainly a teacher. The importance of this identification is subtle but powerful. When Jesus encounters the woman at the well, she recognizes Him as the Revealer.
Christ is much more than the Revealer - He is our savior. He was a Messiah far grander and more majestic than the Samaritans could have ever conceived their "Taheb" to be. He reveals to us the beautiful salvific plan of God, and the grace that God has shown to sinners. Christ is not merely the Revealer - He is what is revealed.
Christ reveals to us our need for salvation; yet He is also our salvation. What hold can sin have over us when our hope is in Christ? Rejoice in the savior, God's revealed Word!
They viewed themselves as children of God, but only read the Pentateuch and worshiped on their own mountain instead of in Jerusalem. They believed, like the Jews, in a Messianic-type figure who was to come, but unlike the Jews, the Samaritans put an emphasis on this figure’s role as a Revealer. They called him the Taheb.
In John 4, when Jesus encounters the woman at the well, it is likely that she sees Him as this Taheb (in actuality, He is far greater than the expected "Taheb"). This implied identification with the Samaritan savior fits well within the overall theme of the Gospel of John. Christ is the Word – the Word is Revelation – the Taheb was to be the Revealer. The Samaritans viewed their coming savior as a teacher, and Jesus was certainly a teacher. The importance of this identification is subtle but powerful. When Jesus encounters the woman at the well, she recognizes Him as the Revealer.
Later, in chapter 8, when Jesus encounters the Jews, they do not recognize Him as the Revealer – they seek to kill Him. Ironically, though “salvation is of the Jews” as Jesus tells the woman at the well, it is the Jewish leaders, the Pharisees, who are in the “darkness” that does not comprehend the light. The woman asks Jesus “are you greater than Jacob?” and comes to recognize him for who He is – the Jews ask Jesus “are you greater than Abraham?” and seek to stone Him. Perhaps a key difference is this: the woman at the well comes to recognize and admit that she is a sinner, even if only sheepishly and indirectly, as she is embarrassed and guilt-ridden. Because she recognizes this, she comes to recognize her savior – she thirsts for the water. Meanwhile, in comparison, the Jewish leaders, who drink of the water of the Torah and call themselves the children of God, fail to see their own sin and the savior.The Samaritans believed in a coming Messiah... the Taheb
Christ is much more than the Revealer - He is our savior. He was a Messiah far grander and more majestic than the Samaritans could have ever conceived their "Taheb" to be. He reveals to us the beautiful salvific plan of God, and the grace that God has shown to sinners. Christ is not merely the Revealer - He is what is revealed.
Christ reveals to us our need for salvation; yet He is also our salvation. What hold can sin have over us when our hope is in Christ? Rejoice in the savior, God's revealed Word!
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