John 4:35-36 (Ready)

You know the saying, ‘Four months between planting and harvest.’ But I say, wake up and look around. The fields are already ripe for harvest. The harvesters are paid good wages, and the fruit they harvest is people brought to eternal life. What joy awaits both the planter and the harvester alike! (John 4:35-36) Read: Judges 1:1 –…

John 4:31-34 (What Is Your Cause?)

Meanwhile, the disciples were urging Jesus, “Rabbi, eat something.” But Jesus replied, “I have a kind of food you know nothing about.” “Did someone bring him food while we were gone?” the disciples asked each other. Then Jesus explained: “My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent me, and from finishing his work. (John…

John 4:28 (Greater Need)

The woman left her water jar beside the well and ran back to the village, telling everyone, (John 4:28) Read: Joshua 18:1 – 19:48 Relate: My cousin posted a picture of a modern version of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs today that earned a chuckle and probably got me thinking along these lines. I’ve seen this pyramid since…

John 4:27 (Propriety)

Just then his disciples came back. They were shocked to find him talking to a woman, but none of them had the nerve to ask, “What do you want with her?” or “Why are you talking to her?” (John 4:27) Read: Joshua 15:20 – 17:18 Relate: Have you ever known someone who gets so hung up…

John 4:25-26 (I AM)

The woman said, “I know the Messiah is coming—the one who is called Christ. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.” Then Jesus told her, “I Am the Messiah!” (John 4:25-26) Read: Joshua 12:7 – 15:19 Relate: All the right roads lead to this moment. Every great journey leads to this destination. Jesus felt compelled to go…

John 4:23 (It’s Coming… It’s Here)

But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. (John 4:23) Read: Joshua 7:1 – 9:27, 1 Chronicles 2:7  Relate: I love a paradox. Maybe it is just me, but I love trying to wrap my mind around two different concepts that, somehow, both must be true.…

John 4:22 (Through the Jews)

You Samaritans know very little about the one you worship, while we Jews know all about him, for salvation comes through the Jews. (John 4:22) Read: Joshua 3:1 – 6:27 Relate: For a lot of scholars down through time the second half of this verse has caused problems. Augustine had to bend over backwards trying to explain how…

John 4:19-20 (Two Mountains)

“Sir,” the woman said, “you must be a prophet. So tell me, why is it that you Jews insist that Jerusalem is the only place of worship, while we Samaritans claim it is here at Mount Gerizim, where our ancestors worshiped?” (John 4:19-20) Read: Deuteronomy 31:30 – 32:52, Psalm 90 Relate: Questions. Sometimes our questions might be big. Sometimes they might…

John 4:16-18 (5 Husbands)

Originally posted 3/20/14 “Go and get your husband,” Jesus told her. “I don’t have a husband,” the woman replied. Jesus said, “You’re right! You don’t have a husband – for you have had five husbands, and you aren’t even married to the man you’re living with now. You certainly spoke the truth!” (John 4:16-18) Read: Deuteronomy 29:2 – 31:29 Relate: What…

John 4:13-14 (Never Thirst)

Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” (John 4:13-14) Read: Deuteronomy 21:10 – 25:19 Relate: This morning I had a mug of dark roast coffee before leaving the…