The Woman at the Well

I've been asked to contribute to a devotional book, specifically writing on John 4 (the woman at the well). Thought I'd blog what I'm sending in, so you can get a "sneak peek"... (and hey, this is draft one, so if you see something that needs editing, let me know!)

DEVOTIONAL ON JOHN 4:27-42

“We’re hungry. We need to get food.”



It’s a simple request of Jesus’ followers. So Jesus sends them to the village to find a meal. Why does He stay behind? Perhaps to rest and take a quiet moment to think about the past week... upending tables in the Temple... the secret conversation with a member of the Jewish ruling counsel... seeing many people come to believe as He performed miracles. Perhaps to take a few minutes to think about what is to come.

Hunger, victories in the past, difficulties in the future could easily have distracted Jesus from the woman who came for water. An enemy woman, who Jesus knew had a questionable moral past. Certainly ignoring her would have been the easy thing to do.

But Jesus sees the hand of His Father at work all around Him. Here is a woman in spiritual need, as well as a woman who can be greatly used by God. He begins to talk to her...

Meanwhile, the disciples return from the village. They have met their goal - getting food - and the meal is what consumes their thoughts. Seeing Jesus talking to the woman, they are surprised, shocked, amazed. Why is Jesus talking to HER? But as soon as she leaves, it’s back to the important business at hand. EAT!

In their focus on the food, the disciples miss God at work, changing a woman’s life. A woman who, in turn, would become an evangelist to her village, seeing many of them come to Jesus. It all happens right in front of their eyes, this business of transformation, but somehow they miss it. They focus on the wrong thing.

“Open your eyes!” Jesus says. God is at work. Today. Here and now. “Open your eyes!” Don’t miss the invitation or the miracles.

REFLECTION QUESTION:
What’s in your “plans” for today? What is your “food” that might distract you from God-at-work? Where might God meet you, call you, give you an unexpected invitation? Who might surprise you with a need for Living Water?

PRAYER:
“Lord, may I live life with my eyes open to your work and invitation, taking the opportunities you give me. May I offer Living Water to the spiritually thirsty, and may I know your satisfying food of the soul.”