John 4:5-42 27 Just then his disciples returned and were surprised to find him talking with a woman. But no one asked, “What do you want?” or “Why are you talking with her?” 28 Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, 29 “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?” 30 They came out of the town and made their way toward him. 31 Meanwhile his disciples urged him, “Rabbi, eat something.” 32 But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you know nothing about.” 33 Then his disciples said to each other, “Could someone have brought him food?”
34 “My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work. 35 Don’t you have a saying, ‘It’s still four months until harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest. 36 Even now the one who reaps draws a wage and harvests a crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together. 37 Thus the saying ‘One sows and another reaps’ is true. 38 I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labor.”
39 Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I ever did.” 40 So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days. 41 And because of his words many more became believers. 42 They said to the woman, “We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world.”
Morgan Murray
Walnut Creek Presbyterian
Observation: They said to the woman, “We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world.”
Action: Lord Jesus, I see how You can use my story—if I will share it—to write Yourself into other people’s stories. Even though I have shameful parts of my story I would rather keep hidden, I will tell it so You can be glorified in it.
OBSERVATION: I noticed that Jesus said his food was to do the will of his father, AND to FINISH the work. There is such satisfaction in the finishing, both for the Father and the Son. Jesus is here referring to the salvation of people -there is nothing more important than that work. I will say, though, that the concept of finishing applies in my life to the many unfinished things I have started.
ACTION: During the remainder of Lent, I will do my best to finish those things that I have started but not finished. That will be a blessing to a number of people!
Observation: If my Bible history is correct, Jews and Samaritans in 1st century Palestine did not associate and probably spoke different languages. If so, how did Jesus converse with this woman or her people? He would have had to learn their language. His words were heard and believed because he spoke to them where they were at.
Action: Be aware of the ‘languages’ that people speak; the people who need You don’t always speak my ‘language’. Meet them where they are at, as You do.
” I have food to eat you know nothing about”
I hear the reminder that the Father has everything we need and still could not know all he has if no time is spent in His word.
Father as I continue with ilent I see your words as they fit into my Life, I Will make you a priority so I can hear what you are saying. I am starving for you &I Will recieve the food you provide and share it with others so they can see the greatness of your provision and life.
I see a couple of things: 1) How actively people of this time were looking for the Messiah. I hear you saying people now are actively seeking something to believe in, to give them joy and peace, they just don’t know what to call it.
2) The Samaritan woman (probably well-known, but not necessarily well-respected) spoke her truth and the people heard her, listened, believed. She did not hesitate to plant the seeds she had. Jesus was able to water and harvest based on her speaking up.
ACTION: I will share my words, my experience, and not be upset when they don’t have people jumping in the water to be baptized immediately. I will plant seeds and let you water and harvest in your time.