This post is Day 4 in a series of studies about “Surprises”. I strongly suggest you begin with the introduction to this study, please click here to read it.

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Surprises – Day 4

Most people went for water early or late in the day when it was cooler. This woman sensed rejection from people in her town, so came at midday confident of seeing nobody. She was surprised, but Jesus was not. He was awaiting her arrival, He had a message for her.

John 4:27

Just then, His disciples returned and were surprised to find Him talking with a woman. But no one asked, “What do you want?” or “Why are You talking with her?”

The Thought

The disciples were travelling with Jesus, and every step of the way seemed to be a surprise for them. Either in what Jesus said, or what He did. They were on a steep learning curve. They had left Jesus by the well in Sychar and gone shopping. Several surprises awaited them on their return.

They were surprised to find anyone at the well at that time. Most people went for their water at the beginning or end of the day when it was cooler. This woman sensed a rejection from the people in her town, so came at midday confident of seeing nobody. She was surprised, but Jesus was not. He was awaiting her arrival, He had a message for her.

The disciples were very surprised to find their master talking to a woman. He had spoken to women before, but not a woman alone.

The woman was surprised that she was having a conversation with this man who asked her (a Samaritan) to give Him a drink. She rose to His bait and showed Him that she knew some history.

This un-named woman was even more surprised when Jesus asked her to bring her husband, knowing that she was not married but was with partner number five!

A few verses later the woman let Jesus know that her people were waiting for The Messiah, and His reply is one of the rarest occasions when Jesus responded with a simple “I am He” (John 4:26).

Action

Read John 4:1-42 today and allow yourself to dwell on the surprises in the story.

Praise God for Jesus’ patience with this woman, and the result of the whole village becoming believers.

Be prepared throughout your day to be surprised by God.

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