What Jesus Did! 'Everywhere but Home' — John 4:42-44

Friday, March 23, 2018

Then [the Samaritan villagers] said to the woman, "Now we believe, not just because of what you told us, but because we have heard him ourselves. Now we know that he is indeed the Savior of the world." At the end of the two days, Jesus went on to Galilee. He himself had said that a prophet is not honored in his own hometown.
— John 4:42-44 NLT
Illustration of John 4:42-44 NLT — "Now we believe, not just because of what you told us, but because we have heard him ourselves. Now we know that he is indeed the Savior of the world."

Key Thought

One of the hardest heartbreaks occurs when those we know and love most don't share our faith even though we can reach strangers with the gospel of Jesus. Lest we think we are alone in this heartbreak, we need to remember that Jesus suffered this same rejection. He knows the weight of this specific sorrow. We can share this personal grief with him. It was his resurrection that changed the hearts of many of the people who previously rejected him. That's probably why Peter reminds us that to influence our family members, we may have to depend on their being "won over without words" through the changes they see in our lives because of Jesus (1 Peter 3:1-2 NIV). In our frustration and heartbreak, let's go to God our Savior and ask for his comfort. Let's pray that his power will transform us so that our loved ones will come to see Jesus as Lord and Savior through us.

Today's Prayer

Holy and mighty God, Father of compassion and grace, my heart is broken because of several in my family who do not know your Son as their Savior and Lord. Transform me by the power of your Holy Spirit to be more like Jesus. Give me the wisdom to know when and what to say. Give me the discernment to know when to be silent and simply to demonstrate the character and compassion of Jesus. In the name of your Son, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Luke 6:17-24
  • Luke 10:13-15
  • Mark 3:20-21, 30-31

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About This Devotional

What Jesus Did is a one-year devotional guide through the gospels, using one short passage each day and following the Gospel in consecutive order. Each devotional consists of a passage, reflection and a prayer which opens up the day's scripture and shows how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware.

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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