What Jesus Did! 'A Confusing Christ?' — John 4:27

Monday, March 14, 2022

ToGather: Freed to Serve

Jesus paid the price to free us from sin, death, and hell so we could serve others in love.

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Just then [Jesus'] disciples came back [from the village]. 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 NLT

Key Thought

The disciples returned and found themselves confused and astonished. Jesus was doing the unthinkable — he was visiting with a woman from Samaria. During their journey with Jesus through his years of ministry, they found themselves confused again and again. Why? Because Jesus came to reach the lost, to save the sinner, to heal the sick. He reached out and touched the untouchables and welcomed the outcast and sinners. He broke the religious culture's "rules of engagement" as he broke through every prejudice and every barrier to reach the seeking heart. We may not know how to cross barriers as well as he did, but we know we must try. Jesus' meeting with the woman is not just an example to us of reaching beyond cultural barriers; he also made cross-cultural outreach a command for us to obey in his Great Commission when he said to go to "all the nations." [1] He is not really the confusing Christ; he is the Christ on a mission to reach the world. Let's join him in his quest.

[1] Matthew 28:18-20.

Today's Prayer

Father, please give me a heart for people who are seeking for your life. Give me the wisdom to see the opportunities to touch these seekers that you have placed in my path. Let my love for the lost astonish others to your glory and to the furtherance of the ministry of Jesus, in whose name I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Luke 19:1-10
  • John 3:16-17
  • Mark 9:30-32

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Illustration

Illustration of John 4:27 NLT — "What do you want with her?" —— "Why are you talking to her?"

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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