John 4:1-42
Nita had an unexpected extra day in India where she and her friends met a girl, spent the day with her, just befriended her and then connected them to other YWAM’ers. They ended up meeting again later and found out that they were a large reason why she ended up giving her life to Jesus. Not what they were expecting to have happen, like in our passage today; an unexpected controversy about who baptizes more leads to a series of interesting events that will show us not only how sustainable a Kingdom-focused lifestyle is, but how we are to actually sustain a life in Christ. What is our nutrition plan? This is our final discussion in this series on our spiritual health check – what do we need if we are going to be effective disciples? For ongoing nutrition? Obey God and let Him cover lunch.
Ministry is what fills us; but in order for that to work, it must be God’s ministry and not ours – it can’t be our plan. Jesus went to great lengths to give His disciples a lesson that would stick on their ribs. During this simple trip to Galilee, Jesus shares His recipe for sustaining a Kingdom lifestyle.
Flexibility Adds Flavor
Jews did not travel directly from Judea to Galilee, they crossed the Jordan and went around the region of Samaria. Why? Samaritan History: When Assyria destroyed the Northern Kingdom in 722BC, they transplanted many Israelites out and brought other peoples in. This led to intermingling and intermarriage, making the Samaritans a “half-breed” of Jews who cooperated with the hated Assyrians to keep their homes. They were betrayers and rejects. These people were massively and deeply hated by the Jews; so much so that with Samaria in between Judea and Galilee, the Jews would usually go around, crossing over the Jordan, going out of their way to avoid Samaria. Disciples’ Expectations: Ministry would happen ONCE THEY ARRIVED in Galilee. But God had another plan. Ministry, according to God, is not on your schedule or plan – ministry isn’t about you; it’s about the person God wants to bring back into the fold. We don’t know who God has planned for us to meet or to help, and therefore we must be ready to accept anyone and everyone He offers. I used to be a picky eater, but trained myself as an adult to take what I was given, which makes friendship and flexibility much easier. He requires us to be flexible in our expectations and plans so that He can put us where He wants us for the right moments. Which actually makes it kind of sad that the disciples headed off for lunch and missed…
Presence Adds Protein
Jews counted the hours from sunrise, so the 6th hour as it said in verse 6 means 12 noon. Why was this woman alone, at noon at the well? The Woman: Because people don’t leave town to walk through the hot climate to a well at noon – they do it at either the beginning or the end of the day. This woman was an outcast; a reject from a nation of rejects. The Response: God not only protected her from the rough midday travel; He turned her from town reject into town hero. Through the conversation with Jesus, she owned her sin publicly and admitted it to the whole town, spreading the news about Jesus. Everyone responded and braved the midday sun to be fed at the well by God, leading to a 2 day layover in the town of Sychar. God provided everything needed for the woman and her townsfolk to be saved that day. God had it covered. The sad part was that the disciples missed it. Had they not been ruled by their stomachs, they could have experienced all of the amazing work of God in this town instead of just the end! And even still…
Obedience is Nutrition
How did the disciples respond? They accuse Jesus of having the hunger crazies! They thought Jesus had the problem and was acting out of character, but Jesus was teaching a very important lesson – that ministry is not theirs, but God’s. If we want God to take care of us, to give us what we need, we have to be pouring it out on His route and at His time. The disciples missed out on this incredible story because it didn’t fit into their preconceived plan! Our ongoing spiritual nutrition and strength arises from obedience to Christ, not from doing good things. Consider what Jesus told Satan in Matt 4:4: we live by the Word of God, not by physical refreshment. God will keep you on your toes, but if you are willing to be obedient, then you will be covered, no matter what. God will protect, confirm, affirm, and grow us into disciples as we obey Him. It is when we allow God to determine our daily activities that we experience the fullness of His nutrition for us. Anywhere/anytime…
Next Steps
I went for a networking meeting to get to know a guy for potential business opportunities, but ended up connecting over his faith experience the whole time. Unexpected, but powerful – even though there was no “decision” or sale. Obey God and He will take care of lunch. How can we build this into our diet plan?
- Let go of your plans. Be wise and shrewd, just know He will make edits.
- Be present. Don’t miss the work God is doing. How can you see someone come to Jesus if you avoid non-believers?
- Say yes to God. Trust that He will take care of you and simply say yes – start with something small and give it a try.
The more we open up to God and His plan, the more we realize how much He really is building and fulfilling us. Start with something small and simple, but say yes – obey God and let Him cover lunch.
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