Devotionals for May 29, 2023
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READ
John 4:24-29
24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”
25 The woman said to him, “I know that Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ). When he comes, he will tell us all things.”
26 Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am he.”
27 Just then his disciples came back. They marveled that he was talking with a woman, but no one said, “What do you seek?” or, “Why are you talking with her?”
28 So the woman left her water jar and went away into town and said to the people,
29 “Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did. Can this be the Christ?”
REFLECT
The above fragment of Jesus' encounter with the woman at the well is a powerful summation of his ministry. Jesus was coming to establish the kingdom of God on earth, calling all people to himself regardless of ethnic ties. Jesus is both telling and demonstrating the future office of all believers. With his words, he emphasizes that true worship is not confined to a temple, foretelling the day when the family of God will expand to the Gentiles.
He is also demonstrating this cross-cultural, boundary-breaking gospel in talking to a woman, and a Samaritan woman no less. The woman's reaction is a perfect illustration of what it means to be a witness. Notice that she “left her water jar” and went into the town to witness about Jesus. The appropriate reaction to an encounter with Jesus looks like this; leaving our water jars, our routine lives and comforts, to go and tell the world about Jesus.
APPLY
Q: Why do the disciples “marvel” that Jesus is talking to a woman?
Q: What are the “water jars” in your life which need to be let go for you to be a witness?
Q: Who in your life can you begin witnessing to consistently?
SING
“My Testimony” by Elevation Worship
PRAY
"Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy."
Lord, give us the courage to be your witnesses to the world. Help us to display your holiness in the way we live and speak. Amen.
READ
John 4:24-29
24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”
25 The woman said to him, “I know that Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ). When he comes, he will tell us all things.”
26 Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am he.”
27 Just then his disciples came back. They marveled that he was talking with a woman, but no one said, “What do you seek?” or, “Why are you talking with her?”
28 So the woman left her water jar and went away into town and said to the people,
29 “Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did. Can this be the Christ?”
REFLECT
The above fragment of Jesus' encounter with the woman at the well is a powerful summation of his ministry. Jesus was coming to establish the kingdom of God on earth, calling all people to himself regardless of ethnic ties. Jesus is both telling and demonstrating the future office of all believers. With his words, he emphasizes that true worship is not confined to a temple, foretelling the day when the family of God will expand to the Gentiles.
He is also demonstrating this cross-cultural, boundary-breaking gospel in talking to a woman, and a Samaritan woman no less. The woman's reaction is a perfect illustration of what it means to be a witness. Notice that she “left her water jar” and went into the town to witness about Jesus. The appropriate reaction to an encounter with Jesus looks like this; leaving our water jars, our routine lives and comforts, to go and tell the world about Jesus.
APPLY
Q: Why do the disciples “marvel” that Jesus is talking to a woman?
Q: What are the “water jars” in your life which need to be let go for you to be a witness?
Q: Who in your life can you begin witnessing to consistently?
SING
“My Testimony” by Elevation Worship
PRAY
"Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy."
Lord, give us the courage to be your witnesses to the world. Help us to display your holiness in the way we live and speak. Amen.