Day 4 of the 21 Day Challenge

What do we learn about Jesus from John?

• He is the living water 4:10,14
• “I know that Messiah is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.” Then Jesus declared, “I, the one speaking to you – I am he.” 4:25-26
• “I have food to eat that you know nothing about.”
• “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work. 4:34
• Many Samaritans believe because Jesus told the women at the well “everything I ever did” 4:40
• The testimony of the Samaritans “We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world.” 4:42
• “’Go’, Jesus replied, ‘your son will live.’ The man took Jesus at his word and departed.” 4:50 – the boy lived 4:51

What do we learn about Godliness in this chapter of John?

            Chapter 4 of John offers us much by way of godliness as each chapter  has thus far. Two parts of the chapter stand out considerably to me today. The first, “I have food to eat that you know nothing about…my food is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.” What an incredible picture into the godliness of Christ. The purpose, the driving force, the hunger pangs of Christ, weren’t for food and quenching his earthly desires, it was to do the will of his Father. Godliness is to desire, above all, that God’s will be accomplished.

            The second part is the man who took Jesus at his word and departed. Our faith and living a godly life is summarized in this man's example. Faith in Christ is listening and obeying the word of Christ. He took Christ at his word and went on his way.

How does this apply to our world?

            Our world is hungry and filled with an insatiable desire for more. We see this in our world every day, people seeking more, seeking something of substance trying to find meaning and purpose. Christ teaches us what is truly fulfilling in our world is accomplishing God's will.

How does this apply to me?

            Is my food the will of God? Am I more satisfied after a hearty meal with the family or the preaching of the Good News? Am I satisfied to see the changing of lives for Christ? Is the accomplishment of God’s will a pleasing thing to me? These are important questions to ask in our individual journey. They provide a window into our heart.

            I also consider this morning the application of the man who took Jesus at his word and departed. What would my life look like if I took Jesus at his word and departed? By that, I mean, I go and do what he asks.

            Matthew 5:39 “But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Give to the one who asks you and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.”

            Am I listening and doing what Christ asks of me? Do I respond in faith and trust in him? Putting the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) into practice may not be easy. But I think about this, how difficult would it had been for me, if I were the man concerned for the life of his child? If Oliver was ill, I would want the physician at his bedside and I wouldn't leave until he came with me. But this man, took Christ at his Word, and departed. He left for his child without the physician. 

           Following and trusting in the word of Christ is never promised to be easy, but we know that there is healing for those who take to heart what he says and follow through with it. When we do what he asks, we find our testimony to be similar to that of the Samaritans "“We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world." 4:42