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

Monday, March 14, 2022

Today is #GivingTuesday

We appreciate & depend on the generosity of people like you. Thank you!

 Thank You
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

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

4 Related Resources by Heartlight

Live Like Jazz!
Article by Paul Faulkner
Running an organization and managing your life is a lot like playing jazz! Paul Faulkner reminds us that while we may have plans and ideas on how to arrange and achieve our future, life requires improvisation and adaptability as we keep in step with the Spirit of God.
Leaving the Bucket Behind
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Disciple, I surprised My closest disciples at Jacob's well in Samaria. We were traveling from Judea to Galilee, and Samaria was the region..."
A Dry Time
Article by Tom Norvell
Who around you needs more than just a drink? Tom Norvell talks about a spiritually dry time, when there seems to be a void in our souls and spiritual life seems difficult and he reminds us of the woman at the well in John 4 and how Jesus gave her much more than water and how she shared this water wi
As Different as...
Article by Phil Ware
How important are our differences? Phil Ware continues his series on Outside the Walls, looking at Nicodemus and the Samaritan woman at the well and reminding us that they are more alike than they are different: both need Jesus and his truth, life, and love.

Illustration

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

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Monday, March 14, 2022

Quotemeal
A daily dose of Christian quotes to inspire and encourage.
Quote by F. B. Meyer:
"There is nothing, indeed, which God will not do for a man who dares to step out upon what seems to be the mist; though as he puts his foot down he finds a rock...."
God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'All About Jesus' (Jn. 15:26)
"[Jesus said,] "But I will send you the Advocate — the Spirit of truth. He will come to you from the Father and will testify all about me.""
Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'Preparing for the End' (Ph. 4:7-11)
"Dear Father, victorious deliverer, May I be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own, based on rule-keeping but that which is through trust..."
Daily Wisdom
A daily devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
Colossians 3:12
"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience."

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.

More What Jesus Did!