Read a Gospel for Lent: Week 2
Scripture
John 4-6
Reflection questions:
Think about how many times a day you take a drink— maybe even try to count for one day or even an hour. Jesus tells the Samaritan woman He is the Living Water. Reread 4:13-14. Ask God to remind you He is your Living Water that “will become in you a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
Notice in Jesus’s conversation with the woman at the well that though He asks her questions, He knows all the answers already. He invites us, too, to reflect and come to an understanding of the sin in our lives instead of condemning us. Does it make you uncomfortable or grateful that God already knows your struggles? We cannot hide anything from Him. But praise God, for as Tim Keller says, “The gospel is this: we are more sinful and flawed in ourselves than we ever dared believe, yet at the very same time, we are are more loved and accepted in Jesus Christ than we ever dared hope.”
The woman at the well is truly seen for the first time and experiences Jesus at the well. Her immediate response is to leave her water jar and go into the town (which she usually avoids) and tell all she meets, “Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did. Can this be the Christ?” “Come, see” in 4:29 echoes back to 1:39 when Jesus called His disciples, “Come and you will see.” Reflect on the gift it is to get to experience God’s work in your life, praying for eyes to see Him at work in your own life. Pray for boldness to share your story of His grace in your own life— for opportunities to tell others, “Come, see!”
Reflect on the reality that many Samaritans came to know Jesus because of this broken woman’s testimony, not in spite of it. What is part of your story that God has redeemed and reconciled that may allow you to share Jesus with others?
Jesus begins to heal many. The boy healed from afar, the multitude of the people with some need. Jesus asks, “Do you want to be healed?” Jesus is able, but we need to surrender to the work God can do in us. Reflect on the sin in your own life and ask honestly, “Do I want to be healed?”
Last week, we saw the repetition of “bear witness”. In chapter 5, we see the repetition of that phrase as well. John bore witness to Jesus, as did those healed. Jesus bears witness to Himself, the Father bears witness to Him as well, and God’s Word bears witness to Jesus. Who has God placed in your life to bear witness to who Jesus is?
As Jesus feeds the five thousand, reflect on the fact that Jesus not only provides, but provides generously— there are leftovers. Do you see God as generous… or stingy? Where has God been generous to you?
Jesus walks on water to meet His disciples. What storms are in your life that you can invite Him into and feel His peace?
Jesus makes an “I am” statement, saying “I am the Bread of Life”. This comes soon after He uses bread to feed the 5,000. That meal was temporary, but Jesus explains that what He can provide is eternal. In 6:57-58, Jesus makes a connection to His true purpose in coming to earth— the Cross. Take a cracker or piece of bread and some juice and take communion, reflecting on God’s body, broken for you, and His blood, poured out for you. Do this remembering Jesus’s finished work for you.
Prayer:
Father,
You see me, like you saw the Samaritan woman and You call me to come closer and to be transformed. You provide generously, as You did for the 5,000. And You meet me in the storms of life, as You did Your disciples.
Thank you that You don’t expect perfection of me before I come to you— it isn’t even possible. But I come to You with a contrite, broken heart— I need my Savior.
Amen