Wednesday April 10, 2024

Today is Wednesday, April 10 and we are studying the Gospel of John chapter four.

Holy and loving God, as a new day dawns I praise your holy name. Thank you for your constant  presence in my life. I lift up my hands to rejoice in your love, care and companionship. Please provide your wisdom and guidance for today’s comings and goings. As I read from your Holy Word and reflect on John’s Gospel, speak to my heart through the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen.

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?” Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?” They came out of the town and made their way toward him. Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I ever did.” So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days. And because of his words many more became believers. 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.” John 4:27-30, 39-42

The disciples return from a nearby town where they had gone to purchase food. They are shocked to find Jesus beside a well talking to a woman. Despite their amazement, they say nothing. The woman flees the scene in such haste she forgets her original errand and leaves her water jar behind. She runs to the village to tell her friends and neighbors about this unusual man who knew everything about her before he even met her. Could this be the Messiah? Some believe he is on the woman’s testimony alone. Others come out to meet Jesus themselves and invite him to stay in their town for a few days. Many come to believe he is the Son of God after meeting Jesus for themselves.

I came to believe in Jesus because of the testimony of others. Their words and the evidence of God’s presence in their lives convinced me that he is real. I wanted something they had. I wanted to know Jesus. Because of the testimony of people throughout my life – parents, grandparents, Sunday School teachers, youth ministers, college pastors, friends – I left the confines of my ordinary existence and came to meet Jesus for myself. As the townspeople invited Jesus to come stay with them, I invite Jesus to come stay with me. To come into my heart and abide with me.

When Jesus entered the town of Sychar, there were age-old divisions between people (Jews and Samaritans). They were once brothers and sisters but now did not even speak to each other. Jesus came to spread the Good News of the kingdom and share the love of God. Jesus came to heal divisions. Jesus came to reveal truth. Jesus came to repair what was torn and mend what was broken. That’s what Jesus does. When I invite Jesus into my life and welcome him into my heart, that is what Jesus does. Jesus comes into my circumstances to heal divisions, reveal truth, repair what is torn and mend what is broken. Because of his words, the people of Samaria believed he was the Messiah. As Jesus speaks words over my life, my faith grows stronger and I come to believe in his power more and more.

Ask: Where are there divisions, disagreements and brokenness in my life? Where do I need the power of Christ to come, stay and bring healing and hope?

Pause and Pray

Come, Lord Jesus, I invite you to stay with me a while. Come into the dark recesses of my lonely heart and bind what is broken. Where there is pain, bring comfort. Where there is sorrow, bring joy. Where there is anger, bring peace. Where there is fear, bring love. Where there is discouragement, bring hope. Where there is uncertainty, bring assurance. As the woman ran off to tell others leaving her water jar behind, I run forward into my day leaving unnecessary tasks and negativity behind. I focus on sharing the great news of your perfect love. Amen.

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