#185 John 4:1-6 Jesus Was Tired, So He Sat Down

On September 1, 2024 by Amy Burgin

Joy:
Episode #185 John 4:1-6

Welcome

Amy:
Welcome to The Christgazing Podcast. We are so glad you are here! I’m Amy Burgin.

Joy:
And I’m Joy Burgin.

Christgazing, kind of like stargazing, is the act of looking steadily and intently at Jesus. If you are anything like us, you desire to fix your eyes on Jesus amid the distractions and troubles of this world. This podcast makes room for us to do that. Amid a world of many words, we slow down here and make space for the God-breathed Words, the best words, the ones that rightly comfort, correct, and lead us. Each week, we read a portion of scripture several times and create stillness after each reading so we might also be still and know God more. We are in a series that takes us through the book of John.

Pour Out Your Heart to God

Amy:
Before we read, take time to share your heart with God. Maybe you have a list of questions for which you need answers—or a heart filled with grief, joy, desire, gratitude, anger, peace, or a mix of some of these things and more—whatever is on your mind, name it, and bring it to God in the next minute.

[Pause and pour out your heart to God]

What Does This Passage Say About God?

Joy:
As I read today’s passage, consider the question: What does this say about God?

John 4:1-6 Now Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard that he was gaining and baptizing more disciples than John— 2 although in fact it was not Jesus who baptized, but his disciples. 3 So he left Judea and went back once more to Galilee.

4 Now he had to go through Samaria. 5 So he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground Jacob had given to his son Joseph. 6 Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about noon.

Again?

Take the next few minutes to consider what this says about God.

[Pause and know]

What Does This Passage Say About People?

Joy:
As I read the passage again, consider the question, what does this say about people?

Take a minute to consider what this says about people.

[Pause and know]

Lord, What Would You Have Me Know Or Do Today?

Joy:
As I read the passage for the last time, ask God, “Lord, what would you have me know or do today in response to this passage?”

Take a minute to ask God, “Lord, what would you have me know or do today?”

[Pause and listen]

Blessing

Joy:
Christgazer, the Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace. And may you keep your face turned toward Jesus today and know him more.

One Response

Amy:
These words stood out to me, “Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well.”

God himself got tired walking the Earth.

At church this morning, my pastor, Kirk Freeman, reminded us that we’re not made for the place in which we find ourselves today. All of us walk through what the Psalmist called the valley of the shadow of death. We were not made to walk in the valley of the shadow of death. We were made to walk in the Garden of Eden with God.

Walking in the valley of the shadow of death can be exhausting. This past week was rough for our family, with the onslaught of two sudden and sorrowful events outside of our control. I usually go to bed at 10:30 pm, but this week, I had to lay down at 9:15 each night. Under such stress, my body rebelled, demanding I lay down early to rest.

Maybe you are tired too.

Will you close your eyes with me and use the sacred space of your imagination to sit down with Jesus by the well?

Maybe, like me, a sudden and sorrowful event outside your control has placed a heavy burden on your shoulders. Maybe it’s like ten black bags of bricks strapped to your back.

When I make eye contact with Jesus, I see his invitation to shed the heavy load in his presence.

I can see his kind, gentle, knowing, and loving eyes. We serve a God who knows what it means to be tired.

I hear his voice speak the words from Matthew 11:28-30. He says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

This is the Word of the Lord.

Closing

Amy:
You can find a transcript of this episode and all our episodes at amyburgin.com. Until we meet again, don’t forget, when you put your trust in Christ, you are one in whom he dwells and delights, a dearly loved child of God. You are royalty in his strong and unshakeable kingdom. Though trouble abounds, Christ prevails, and so do you.