John 4:27-42 –The number one priority in life

In these verses we see a stark contrast in response, between the disciples of Jesus and the Samaritan woman. The disciples were amazed when they found Jesus talking to a woman. They must have wondered why Jesus should engage a woman in conversation all alone and a Samaritan at that. They must have had an unspoken mental block. They have not gotten over the social, racial or gender barrier in their mind as yet. The woman, on the other hand, was clearly touched by the revelation of Jesus and all that He knew about her. Setting aside what she came to the well to do, she left the water pot by the well and went into the city excitedly, indulging in some exaggeration. She said, “Come, see a man who told me all the things that I have done; this is not the Christ, is it?” Her excitement was understandable after all that Jesus had said, and the offer He had made to her. We are told that many who heard what she excitedly proclaimed went out of the city. Presumably to where Jesus was to discover for themselves. What is evident here is the disciples’ negative astonishment and the woman’s positive enthusiasm. In this contrast, we see the Lord giving lessons on what kind of heart every aspiring minister must seek to cultivate. We are led into how the followers of Christ should approach life.   

The disciples urged Him to eat something but Jesus response to them was, “I have food to eat that you know nothing about.” What Jesus said truly puzzled them. Stumped, they then wondered if someone had brought food to him while they were away. Ignoring their thoughts, Jesus re-emphasized what He had said with some addition, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to accomplish His work.” What is Jesus saying? He was making known the surpassing priority in His life and ministry. He came to do and fulfill the will and purpose of God in His life, and would not allow anything to stop Him till He had completed it. No barrier, be it social, gender or racial was going to distract Him. He had a singular objective i.e. to please God the Father and to obediently accomplish what He had sent Him to do. It was quite obvious that He was weary when He first arrived at the well. But when He envisaged what potential could happen with one transformed life, He set aside every apparent norm to reach out, even though it would be unusual to talk to a woman alone. He just wanted to do the Father’s will. Are we challenged by what we see in the Lord’s focus? God had made and redeemed us so that we can serve Him and His purpose for lost humanity. Like Christ we must live to do God’s will.

John 4:35-38 give us another key to a triumphant ministry i.e. to cultivate a sense of urgency. The field, the Lord maintained, is ready for harvest. We must learn to see the opportunity presented. Every situation is a God-given opportunity. Looking at a bouquet of roses, do we see the lovely flowers or do we see thorns? In every situation we can either see God’s moment or we can seek excuses to convince ourselves why it is not time yet. In working for God, there is no clear cut results. Sometimes we sow plenty and seem to get precious little. Sometimes we do not seem to have sown much and yet we get plenty. The idea is for us not to analyze too much but to simply obey. Evangelism is never an individual effort. It is the work of the whole community of God. One may sow but may not have the privilege to harvest. Others may not sow but at the critical moment had the joy of seeing a harvest. Our eye should be on God, and realize that whatever accomplishment, it is His victory.  Whatever we are doing we must cultivate a harvesting mentality. 

The response of the whole town to the Samaritan woman’s testimony tells us one thing – a true and good testimony is better than being theologically exact. A changed life speaks louder than a ton of purposeless jargon. Here we see many Samaritans who came out of the city to examine for themselves, tasted Jesus and found Him to be true. They could testify that He is indeed the Savior of the world. What is our priority in life? Are we bent on doing God’s will and allow it to be our all-consuming passion in life? Serving God is truly more important than the food we eat. Let’s be the kind of people who would give God our top priority and would go about His will and work with urgency.