Daily Devotion, January 18, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read John 4:39-42. (The Message)

This week we are focusing on seeking our own experience and relationship with God through Christ, rather than relying on the thinking and beliefs of others.

From the Samaritan woman’s testimony of encountering Jesus at the Well of Sychar, many others seek Jesus and then they believe because of their own personal encounters with him.

John’s purpose in writing “The Gospel According to John” is to give witness of who Jesus is and who he came to be. John 1:12-13 says, “Yet, to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God---children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.”

These verses become a theme throughout this gospel and particularly in this story of Jesus’ conversation with the woman at the well. Jesus surprises his disciples in two ways. First, a Jewish man did not initiate conversation with an unknown woman. And secondly, Jews did not speak or interact with Samaritans. In their conversation together, Jesus includes her and the people of Samaria in God’s offer to become the children of God. In John 4:21-25, Jesus tells her, “a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth…” In verse 26, Jesus declares, “I who speak to you am he.” (the Messiah)

From the woman’s encounter with Jesus, she believes. She returns to her town and gives witness of her encounter with the Messiah! Today’s verses tell us that many Samaritans believed through her witness. Then after their own encounters with Jesus, they knew that he really is the Savior of the world!

Where do we find ourselves in this story? Do we find ourselves surprised as the disciples were that Jesus went beyond the traditions of his day and spoke to someone they considered to be “beyond God’s grace”? Do we find ourselves trying to be as faithful a witness as the woman at the well? Do we find ourselves seeking our own encounter with Jesus in such a way that we know he is the Savior of the world?

Personal Worship Option:

The townspeople said to Jesus, “Stay with us.” Let Jesus “stay” with you in all the places that you are today. Let Jesus’ grace and transforming power offer unto you a witness you can share. Amen.