What Jesus Did! 'Please Stay!' — John 4:40-41

Sunday, March 22, 2026

When [the Samaritans] came out to see [Jesus], they begged him to stay in their village. So he stayed for two days, long enough for many more to hear his message and believe.
— John 4:40-41 NLT

Key Thought

In other instances, some people who saw the powerful work of Jesus in the lives of those they knew asked him to leave. Others tried to get that power and use it selfishly for themselves. Some, like the people in this village, asked him to stay longer so they could know him more completely. God's messengers often find each of these same basic reactions to their message about Jesus - fearful rejection, selfish misappropriation, or a yearning for more of Jesus. Which is your reaction? Do you want Jesus to draw closer to you? Or do you push him away because you want to keep him at arm's length? Do you sometimes wonder about what and why you believe? Basically, none of us is ever really going to know about Jesus until we ask him to come and "stay" with us (literally "abide" with us). There is something about inviting Jesus to come and stay in our lives that enables us to hear him more clearly and believe in him more passionately. He stands at the door and knocks. [1] Will you invite him in to abide with you so you may learn more from him?

[1] Cf. Revelation 3:20.

Today's Prayer

Lord God, the Almighty of Israel, please come live in my heart through faith and help me believe in you more passionately. Please abide in me, O God, for without your presence I would surely fail. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

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Illustration

Illustration of John 4:40-41 NLT — When [the Samaritans] came out to see [Jesus], they begged him to stay in their village. So he stayed for two days, long enough for many more to hear his message and believe.

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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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