Compare Jesus' revelation in John 4:26 with His identity in Isaiah 53:11. Jesus’ Revelation in John 4:26 “Jesus told her, ‘I who speak to you am He.’” The Servant’s Identity in Isaiah 53:11 “After the anguish of His soul, He will see the light of life and be satisfied. By His knowledge My righteous Servant will justify many, and He will bear their iniquities.” What Is Happening in Each Passage • John 4: A weary Jesus meets a Samaritan woman, crosses cultural barriers, and openly declares Himself the promised Messiah. • Isaiah 53: The LORD describes His coming Servant—righteous, suffering, substitutionary—who will ultimately bring justification to many. Shared Titles and Claims • Messiah/Christ (John 4:25-26) = “My righteous Servant” (Isaiah 53:11) • Self-designation “I am He” (ego eimi) points to divine identity hinted throughout Isaiah (cf. Isaiah 41:4; 43:10-11). • Both passages present one unique Person who saves: the Woman’s awaited Christ and Isaiah’s sin-bearing Servant are the same. Common Mission Elements • Revelation → “I who speak” (John 4:26) parallels “by His knowledge” (Isaiah 53:11); salvation begins with knowing Him. • Righteous character → Jesus is called “righteous” elsewhere (Acts 3:14; 1 John 2:1) echoing “My righteous Servant.” • Justification → promised in Isaiah 53:11, fulfilled in Jesus (Romans 5:9; 2 Corinthians 5:21). • Sin bearing → implicit in John 4 (living water freely given) and explicit in Isaiah 53 (He “will bear their iniquities”), later affirmed in John 19:30 and 1 Peter 2:24. Prophecy and Fulfillment Threads • Isaiah foretells a suffering, victorious Servant; the Gospels record Jesus fulfilling those details (Matthew 8:17; Luke 22:37). • Philip links Isaiah 53 directly to Jesus (Acts 8:30-35). • Jesus’ “I am” statements (John 8:24, 58; 18:5-6) expand the self-revelation first given at the well. Why the Comparison Matters • Assurance: the same Lord who quietly revealed Himself to one outsider is the prophesied Savior who justifies many. • Clarity: Scripture’s unity shows Messiah and Suffering Servant are not two figures but one—Jesus. • Invitation: as with the Samaritan woman, the call is to respond in faith, receiving the justification Isaiah promised and Jesus accomplished. |
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