OceanSide church of Christ
Read devotionals for March 2021
April 1, 2021
John 3:36 – He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
Thought: This verse clearly presents the two ends to which mankind is destined: everlasting life or the wrath of God. That which determines one’s destination is faith in the Son of God. Those who believe are destined to everlasting life. Those who do not believe “shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on” them. There are many, many people destined to the latter. They are not destined there because God predestined them to that end. They will be there because they refuse to believe in the Son.
I John 5:10-13
April 2, 2021
John 4:1 – When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John.
Thought: Jesus quickly appeared on the radar of the Pharisees. He was of grave concern to them. These men were religious leaders who craved attention. Not long after Jesus began His ministry, great multitudes followed Him. In fact, “Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John.” John was a threat. Jesus was now a greater threat. Rather than accepting Jesus as a Rabbi who came from God as Nicodemus, they made Jesus their enemy. They monitored His every word and every move.
Matthew 12:14
April 3, 2021
John 4:2 – (Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples).
Thought: This verse brings several interesting thoughts to mind. First, this verse seems to conflict with verse one. Verse one told us that Jesus baptized more disciples than John. Now we read that “Jesus himself baptized not.” Jesus did baptize individuals, but He did it through the process of agency. His disciples performed the act after Jesus taught and convinced men of its necessity. Second, this process protected Jesus from man’s boasting. No one could brag that Jesus’ hands had literally baptized them.
I Corinthians 1:11-12
April 4, 2021
John 4:3, 4 – He left Judea, and departed against into Galilee. And he must needs go through Samaria.
Thought: The context indicates Jesus left Judea because of the Pharisees. Jesus was well aware of their hearts. He was also fully cognizant of the timing of His mission. He left Judea to return to His homeland of Galilee. However, this time He would go through Samaria. Samaria was sandwiched between Judea and Galilee. Often the Jews would go around it instead of through it. This was the home of Jewish relatives who were a mixed race. The Jews hated them and had no dealings with them.
Luke 17:11
April 5, 2021
John 4:5 – Then cometh he to a city of Samaria, which is called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph.
Thought: The Bible is not a geography book, but when it mentions geographical facts, it is always accurate. Jesus came to Sychar, previously named Shechem. It was located at the base of Mount Gerizim. There was nothing significant about this place except it was near the parcel of land Jacob had given to his son Joseph. Jesus, however, was about to make it very significant. It would be a place prominent in Bible history. It was the place of a simple conversation between the Lord and a woman.
Genesis 48:21-22
April 6, 2021
John 4:6 – Now Jacob’s well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour.
Thought: In the days of Jesus, convenience stores were not located on every corner to aid a traveler on a journey. Thus, a well was a welcomed sight. Jesus was weary as He travelled through Samaria. This small fact reminds us Jesus was a human being. He experienced the same limitations and struggles of the flesh that each of us faces. Because He was human, He can function in high positions before God on our behalf. Because, He was weary, He sat by a well. At the well, history was about to be made.
Hebrews 4:15-16
April 7, 2021
John 4:7 – There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink.
Thought: One of the responsibilities of the women of Jesus’ day was to draw water from the well. Thus, it is not surprising to see this woman at Jacob’s well. What is surprising is what Jesus does. “Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink.” In our culture, this is not an “out of the ordinary” request. In Jesus’ day, it was very out of the ordinary. A man is making a request of a woman. A Jew is making a request of a Samaritan. Jesus was not concerned about customs. He was concerned about souls.
Luke 19:10
April 8, 2021
John 4:8 – (For his disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat.)
Thought: Jesus was traveling to Galilee and went through Samaria. On the journey, He grew weary. While Jesus rested, His disciples went into Shechem to purchase food. This would prove providential. Jesus would be allowed to speak to this woman of Samaria without any opposition from His disciples. Too, they will return while He is speaking to her. This will turn into a learning experience for Jesus’ apostles. Jesus was beginning to remove their barriers of cultural pride and racial prejudice.
Galatians 3:26-29
April 9, 2021
John 4:9 – Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.
Thought: Differences like culture, gender, color, age, and economics often keep people alienated from one another. It is sad that men allow these things to divide them rather than uniting in the fact that all are made in the similitude of God. The Jews of Jesus’ day were a very proud people. They knew they were a “holy” nation. Their pride kept them from associating with others like the Samaritans. When the Samaritan woman heard Jesus’ words, she was shocked. Jesus came to destroy these barriers.
Ephesians 2:13-16
April 10, 2021
John 4:10 – Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.
Thought: Jesus did not address the fact that He crossed racial lines to speak to this woman. Instead, He addressed her spiritual condition and the fact that she was ignorant of two things, the gift of God and the one who presently spoke to her. If she had understood them, she would have asked Him for “living water.” Water is an essential element of life. The living water that Jesus could provide would give eternal life. Sadly, there are many who are still ignorant today and do not ask for the living water.
Hosea 4:6
April 11, 2021
John 4:11 – The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water?
Thought: This woman did not understand Jesus’ words. She was thinking in physical terms. She knew Jesus had no bucket and no rope. How, then, could He draw water from the well in order to give her life? Many today are much like this woman. They are caught up in the physical world and cannot see spiritual things. Too, they reduce spiritual things to physical aspects of the world. The kingdom of God is an example. Many await a physical kingdom when a spiritual kingdom is already here.
John 18:36
April 12, 2021
John 4:12 – Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle?
Thought: This woman knew who had dug this well. It was the patriarch Jacob. This well had provided life for Jacob, his children, and his cattle. It continued to provide life to all who drank from it. Jacob had made a wonderful contribution to mankind. This Samaritan woman, therefore, asks Jesus: “Art thou greater than our father Jacob?” Little did she know to whom she was speaking. Yes, He was greater. He was the one for whom Jacob and the patriarchs looked. Again, she exposed her ignorance.
John 8:51-53
April 13, 2021
John 4:13, 14 – Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again. But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.
Thought: Jesus was not sidetracked by the woman’s questions. He continued to talk about living water. Jesus promised her two things. First, those who drink it will never thirst. This is certainly not the case with physical water. Those who drink it thirst again. Second, Jesus promised that this water “shall be in him a well of water springing up into eternal life.” This is specific indication that Jesus has reference to something spiritual. Who would refuse water with these benefits?
I John 2:25
April 14, 2021
John 4:15 – The woman saith unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw.
Thought: Previously, we asked: “Who would refuse the living water?” The Samaritan woman did not. She responded, saying: “Sir, give me this water,” but she did not comprehend the truth of Jesus’ words. She said two things about this water. One, she would never thirst again. Two, she would never have to draw water again. We sympathize and hurt for this woman. We understand her ignorance, but we yearn for her to comprehend. We have these same feelings for many today.
Isaiah 55:1
April 15, 2021
John 4:16 – Jesus saith unto her, Go, call thy husband, and come hither.
Thought: After speaking to the woman about living water, Jesus asks this woman to call her husband to come to see Him. The question we might ask is: “How did Jesus know this woman had a husband?” Or, we might think that Jesus merely assumed that she has a husband and asked for him to come. His request, however, is for a purpose just like all of Jesus’ actions. Jesus is about to confirm to this woman that He is someone very unique. If we will listen to Jesus, He will never cease to amaze us.
Hebrews 4:13
April 16, 2021
John 4:17, 18 – The woman answered and said, I have no husband. Jesus said unto her, Thou hast well said, I have no husband: for thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: in that saidst thou truly.
Thought: When Jesus asked the Samaritan woman to go get her husband, He opened a door into her personal life. Remember, they had just met. Through personal experience, Jesus had never known this woman. The woman admitted to Jesus that she had no husband. She was merely living with a man. In addition, Jesus informs her that she previously had five husbands. Two things stand out about these words. First, how did Jesus know this? Second, this woman was a sinner, yet Jesus spoke to her.
Luke 5:30-32
April 17, 2021
John 4:19 – The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet.
Thought: Jesus’ knowledge of this woman led her to a conclusion. She said unto him: “Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet.” This woman did not deny the evidence. She knew that Jesus had revealed things about her that He only could have known through supernatural ability. Would that more were as honest as this woman about Jesus. They, too, would come to know Jesus as a prophet. In fact, they would come to know Him as “the Prophet.” He is the spokesman for God in the Christian Age.
Deuteronomy 18:18-19
April 18, 2021
John 4:20 – Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.
Thought: This woman understood the issues that divided the Samaritans and the Jews. She asked Jesus about one matter, the place of worship. The Jews worshipped in Jerusalem. The holy mount of the Samaritans was Gerizim. Jesus and the woman were sitting at the foot of this mountain as they spoke. This woman seemed to understand that both of these groups could not be right. Since she was speaking to a true prophet, she asked Him to clear up the matter. It appears she had an honest heart.
II Kings 17:27-33
April 19, 2021
John 4:21 – Jesus saith unto her, Women, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father.
Thought: Before answering, Jesus manifested His prophetic ability and predicted the future. He told her that there was coming a time when neither mountain would be the place of worship. Jesus was talking about worship under the New Covenant that He came to establish. The kingdom He came to build was spiritual in nature. It would not have one single location where individuals would come to worship. The church would be the temple of God. Man would be able to worship anywhere.
I Peter 2:5
April 20, 2021
John 4:22 – Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship; for salvation is of the Jews.
Thought: This is an interesting verse, especially in a time of toleration and affirmation. The Samaritan woman had asked about the differences between the places of worship chosen by the Jews and Samaritans. Jesus was honest and truthful. He told the woman: “Ye worship ye know not what.” He also told her of the exclusive nature of the Jewish religion. “For salvation is of the Jews.” If Jesus were alive today, His words would be condemned by many. He certainly was not politically correct.
Acts 17:23
April 21, 2021
John 4:23, 24 – But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
Thought: Jesus had told this woman that the place of worship would one day no longer be important. He now looks to the future again and tells her the time is near. He noted that there would come a day when worship would consist of worshipping God “in spirit and in truth.” “In spirit” has to do with having the right mindset, the right attitude. Worshipping “in truth” involves worshipping in the manner prescribed in the truth of God’s Word. Note: “For the Father seeketh such to worship him.”
I Peter 2:9-10
April 22, 2021
John 4:25, 26 – The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things. Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he.
Thought: Even though the Samaritans only accepted the Pentateuch as their law, they affirmed the coming Messiah. The words “Messiah” and “Christ” both mean “the anointed one.” This anointed one was to be their king. Jesus must have surprised this woman when He responded to her affirmation, saying: “I that speak unto thee am he.” Jesus no longer subtly revealed His identity. He just plainly told her that He was the Messiah. Today, the world needs to take heed to this revelation.
Mark 14:61-62
April 23, 2021
John 4:27 – And upon this came his disciples, and marveled that he talked with the woman: yet no man said, What seekest thou? or, Why talkest thou with her?
Thought: We have almost forgotten about the Jesus’ disciples. They had gone into the city to purchase food. When they returned, they found Jesus and the Samaritan woman engrossed in a conversation. They “marveled that he talked with the woman.” It was deeply ingrained in them not to have any dealings with the Samaritans. They were unclean. Yet, Jesus was talking to a Samaritan. They wanted to speak, but they held their tongues. There are times when silence is the right thing to do.
Luke 7:37-39
April 24, 2021
John 4:28, 29 – The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men, Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?
Thought: There are some people to whom others need to be introduced. There are some messages of which others need to hear. Others need to be introduced to Jesus, the Messiah. Others need to hear His message about living water. The Samaritan woman was convinced of these things. She was so overwhelmed with Jesus’ knowledge she told the men of the city that He “told me all things that ever I did.” Jesus had not done this, but she believed He could have. Dear readers, “Is not this the Christ?”
Isaiah 11:1-3
April 25, 2021
John 4:30 – Then they went out of the city, and came unto him.
Thought: Sometimes all it takes to get others interested in Jesus is an enthusiastic introduction. The woman of Samaria told the men of the city about Jesus’ unique abilities. She affirmed that this had to be the Christ. She offered a simple invitation: “Come, see a man.” This was all it took. “Then they went out of the city, and came unto him.” Perhaps Christians need to be more like this woman. Let’s invite other to come to Jesus. When we invite them, let’s give them a good reason to come and see.
John 1:45-46
April 26, 2021
John 4:31 – In the mean while his disciples prayed him, saying, Master, eat.
Thought: Jesus was at the well because He had grown weary in His travels. His initial purpose for being there was to rest and wait for the disciples to return with food to eat. When the disciples returned with food, eating was set aside for a while. There are some things in life that are more important than eating and drinking. Oh yes, there will come a time to eat, but when a woman’s soul is at stake, there is nothing more important than that. Clearly, Jesus had His priorities in the right order.
Genesis 24:31-33
April 27, 2021
John 4:32 – But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of.
Thought: The meat about which Jesus speaks is food for the soul. He had been sent by the Father to teach men about the salvation found only in His Son and to speak to them about the kingdom of God wherein dwells righteousness and peace. This was the meat about which Jesus spoke. It was a spiritual meat. It was meat that had not been shared with the world. The disciples did not understand. They still did not discern the spiritual. They thought someone may have brought Jesus food to eat.
Hebrews 5:13-14
April 28, 2021
John 4:33 – Therefore said the disciples one to another, Hath any man brought him aught to eat?
Thought: Failing to understand spiritual things and their importance is common among men. We are products of the world and have only experienced the world. To think on a higher level is not easy. Even men, like the apostles, who were with Jesus had a hard time. When Jesus told His disciples: “I have meat to eat that ye know not of.” The apostles thought someone had brought Jesus physical meat. As Christians we must think differently. We must think on a higher plane. We must think spiritually.
Matthew 16:6-11
April 29, 2021
John 4:34 – Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.
Thought: Jesus was a very focused individual. His life was centered upon doing the will of the Father and finishing the work God gave Him to do. He rose with this on His mind. He labored every day to accomplish this goal. He longed to come to the end of His life having accomplished this task. All of us need to follow the example of Jesus. Can you honestly say: “My meat is to do with will of him that sent me, and to finish his work”? If not, why not? What is keeping you from this goal?
Hebrews 10:5-9
April 30, 2021
John 4:35, 36 – Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh the harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.
Thought: Jesus taught His disciples that the harvest of the souls of men does not lie in the future. The fields are white already to harvest. And, so it is today. What is needed is workers. We need Christians to sow the seed of God’s Word and Christians to reap what has been planted. Both of these individuals will receive a reward for their labors. Too, both of them will rejoice together when souls are saved. Yes, many are lost. The Lord’s followers must enter the fields and reap the harvest that is there.
I Corinthians 3:6-9
Read devotionals for May 2021
