Today’s Reading: John 4:27-42

Just then his disciples came back. 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?” The woman left her water jar beside the well and ran back to the village, telling everyone, “Come and see a man who told me everything I ever did! Could he possibly be the Messiah?” So the people came streaming from the village to see him. — John 4:27-30

Jesus made it clear early in his ministry that he had come to bring salvation to everyone. By his actions, he showed that this woman had value — this woman who was unmarried, this woman who could be stoned for her actions, this woman who was of a race hated by the Jews. This woman did not stick around to hear what the disciples had to say; their opinion was probably clearly written on their faces. Instead, she ran to the village she avoided; she got the attention of those whose attention had brought her pain. This woman had met the Messiah and her first response was to share the presence of Jesus with others.

Meanwhile, the disciples were urging Jesus, “Rabbi, eat something.”
But Jesus replied, “I have a kind of food you know nothing about.”
“Did someone bring him food while we were gone?” the disciples asked each other.
Then Jesus explained: “My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent me, and from finishing his work.” — John 4:31-34

The disciples saw the day as routine — it was a travel day. They would walk through Samaria, grab some food, and be on their way. The well would provide them with the water they needed to refill their skins, and they would enjoy a moment to rest their legs and prepare for the remainder of the journey. They saw Samaria as less of a destination and more of a pit stop along the way. They were unaware that Jesus had other plans.

THEY WERE CAUGHT IN THE MUNDANE, WHILE JESUS WAS OPERATING FROM THE ETERNAL.

“You know the saying, ‘Four months between planting and harvest.’ But I say, wake up and look around. The fields are already ripe for harvest. The harvesters are paid good wages, and the fruit they harvest is people brought to eternal life. What joy awaits both the planter and the harvester alike! You know the saying, ‘One plants and another harvests.’ And it’s true. I sent you to harvest where you didn’t plant; others had already done the work, and now you will get to gather the harvest.” — John 4:35-38

Wake up and look around! There are people all around us who are lost, and we are about to make a difference in their lives. I sent you into town to buy food that someone else had grown. They planted the seed and harvested the crops. Pay attention, for we are about to see a great harvest of souls!

Many Samaritans from the village believed in Jesus because the woman had said, “He told me everything I ever did!” When they came out to see him, 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. Then they 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.” — John 4:39-42

I wonder how long it took the disciples to start expecting the unexpected. Life with Jesus brought spontaneous moments of teaching and healing. The number of people who were beginning to believe that Jesus was the Messiah was growing, and life was getting very interesting for the disciples! No schedules or preset agendas. Every day was an adventure and the disciples were learning each day how to care about the needs of others, putting prejudices and conveniences aside.

WHAT WILL TODAY LOOK LIKE?

I plan to drive home from last night’s pregnancy center banquet and start packing for tomorrow’s trip to Pennsylvania. I need to pick up my mail, do laundry and run a few errands. I could easily put blinders on and miss opportunities to be used by God in the lives of others. It would be easy to dismiss God-anointed moments if I am not intentionally responding to the Spirit’s promptings.

Thank you, God, for the reminder this morning to wake up and look around. Someone else’s salvation may be dependent on my availability. May I not get so caught up in the mundane that I miss the opportunity to operate with the eternal in mind. Thank you for the reminder this morning of the place of sin from which you rescued me, and how my life has changed because of the living water you so generously gave to me. Lord, my story is yours to use in the lives of those who are thirsty. Amen.

I waited patiently for the Lord to help me,
and he turned to me and heard my cry.
He lifted me out of the pit of despair,
out of the mud and the mire.
He set my feet on solid ground
and steadied me as I walked along.
He has given me a new song to sing,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see what he has done and be amazed.
They will put their trust in the Lord. – Psalm 40:1-3