View John 4 in a larger map

4:1 Pharisees. The religious leaders took a close interest in John the Baptist (see note on 1:24) and then also in Jesus.

4:2 The disciples did not baptize without Jesus’ approval (3:22).

4:3 left Judea. Success (which aroused opposition; see 7:1), not failure, led Jesus to leave Judea.

4:4 had to go. The necessity lay in Jesus’ mission, not in geography. Samaria. Here the whole region, not simply the city. Jews often avoided Samaria by crossing the Jordan and traveling on the east (see notes on Mt 10:5; Lk 9:52).

4:5 Sychar. A small village near Shechem. Jacob bought some land in the vicinity of Shechem (Ge 33:18-19), and it was apparently this land that he gave to Joseph (Ge 48:21-22). See map on p 201.

4:6 Jacob’s well. Mentioned nowhere else in Scripture. about the sixth hour. About 12:00 noon.

4:7 to draw water. People normally drew water the end of the day rather than in the heat of midday (see Ge 24:11 and note). But the practice is attested by Josephus, who says that the young ladies whom Moses helped (Ex 2:15-17) came to draw water at noon.

4:9 The point of the NIV text note (and probably of the text) is that a Jew would become ceremonially unclean if he used a drinking vessel handled by a Samaritan, since the Jews held that all Samaritans were “unclean.”

This is National Waffle Day.

A dictionary might define “waffle” as “a crisp cake of batter baked in a waffle iron.” You’re probably very familiar with that type of waffle. Whether smothered in strawberries and whipped cream or just covered with butter and syrup, a waffle can be a delicious treat. The point of having “National Waffle Day” is to get people to eat more waffles.

But the word has another definition, as a verb: “to avoid committing one’s self, to speak both sides of an issue.” We hear waffle used this way quite often during elections when candidates accuse each other of “waffling” or “flip-flopping.” They certainly aren’t talking about eating crisp cakes of batter, but about not taking a stand on the issues.

Waffling isn’t limited to politicians. Everyone is susceptible—parents, kids, lawyers, doctors, sales people, police officers, mechanics—even Christians. Someone might ask, for example, “What do you think about Jesus?” A waffle answer would sound something like this: “Well, uh, I don’t know, uh, I mean I think he was God but, you know, people have a lot of different ideas . . . I guess I could go either way . . . .”

When it comes to our faith, the Bible tells us to be confident and committed to the truth. Otherwise we will “waver back and forth” (waffle) in everything we do.

When asked about Jesus, we should answer, “He is God and man. He came to earth, lived a perfect life, died on the cross, and rose from the dead. He lives today and is my Savior. I trust in him.” No waffling there!

So on this National Waffle Day, go ahead and eat one . . . but don’t be one.

 . . . A doubtful mind is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. People like that should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. They can’t make up their minds. They waver back and forth in everything they do (James 1:6, 8).

To Do

Ask Mom or Dad if you can have waffles sometime this week for breakfast. Then, as you eat, tell your family about the other kind of waffling.

Also on this day . . .

79—Mount Vesuvius erupted, burying the town of Pompeii.

1869—Cornelius Swarthout patented the waffle iron.

From Betsy Schmitt and Dave Veerman, 365 Trivia Twist Devotions: An Almanac of Fun Facts and Spiritual Truth for Every Day of the Year (Cincinnati: Standard, 2005).

Author
The apostle John.

Audience
Followers of Jesus. John wrote to convince unbelievers and the doubting.

Date
About a.d. 85–90, before John’s exile to the island of Patmos.

Setting
John’s eyewitness account is presumably the last Gospel written.

Verse to Remember
“But these are written that you may believe
that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” (20:31)

Theme to Consider
By faith, we must accept the facts about Jesus. He is the Son of God who gives eternal life.

True Identity

On this day in 1982, Gaylord Perry of the Seattle Mariners was ejected from a game for throwing an illegal spitball.

A spitball is an illegal pitch in baseball. When throwing this pitch, the pitcher will put some kind of substance like spit, Vaseline, or something similar, on the ball. This causes the ball to move, making it difficult for a batter to hit.

For many years, spitballs were permitted in baseball’s major leagues. But throwing this pitch was outlawed in 1920. Many pitchers still used the illegal pitch, however, working hard to hide their actions. Every now and then, like on this day in 1982, an umpire will catch a pitcher messing with the ball and toss him out of the game.

In baseball and in other sports, players cheat because they want to win and will do most anything to gain the victory. They know cheating is wrong, but they do it any way, hoping to not get caught. In baseball, a player is permitted to “steal,” as in steal a base. In basketball, it’s OK, and even encouraged, to “fake” (pretend to do one thing but then do something else). Other games and sports have actions that are wrong outside the game but are all right inside the game. But doing something that is not allowed inside the game, even if it wouldn’t be wrong in the rest of life, is cheating. It’s wrong, even if you don’t get caught. Sometimes cheaters win games, but actually they’re losers.

The heat of competition can make cheating very tempting, especially when others do it and when you think you can get away with it. Don’t give in. Instead, be a person who plays the game honestly and fairly, and within the rules. You will be respected, and you will honor God. And if you happen to lose the game, you’re still a winner.

The Lord hates cheating, but he delights in honesty (Proverbs 11:1).

To Do

In your next game, even if it’s just in the park, at summer camp, or in your home, determine to play within the rules.

Also on this day . . .

1838—The first class was graduated from Mount Holyoke Female Seminary in South Hadley, Massachusetts. It was one of the first colleges for women.

1913—Automobiles were legally allowed to enter Yosemite National Park, California, for the first time.

From Betsy Schmitt and Dave Veerman, 365 Trivia Twist Devotions: An Almanac of Fun Facts and Spiritual Truth for Every Day of the Year (Cincinnati: Standard, 2005).

On this day in 1911, Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa was stolen from the Louvre Museum in Paris.

Widely regarded as the most famous painting in history, the “Mona Lisa” was painted by Leonardo da Vinci in 1503 to 1506 in Florence, Italy. Featuring the woman with the mysterious smile, the painting is 20 7/8 inches by 30 inches, oil on poplar wood, and resides in The Louvre Museum in Paris, France (unless it has been stolen). Its value is considered to be priceless. No wonder people get upset when the “Mona Lisa” is stolen!

Have you ever wondered why some art is considered valuable while other art is not? What gives something value? The oil, poplar wood, and paint that make up “Mona Lisa” didn’t cost much—so the painting is worth much more than the artist’s materials and tools. Certainly the quality of the art and the identity of the artist have a lot to do with its price.

Do you know that you are priceless, too? You are much more valuable than the chemicals and other ingredients found in your body. You have value because of your Creator. That’s right. The Bible tells us that God created human beings (including you) in his image (Genesis 1:26, 27), that he formed you and watched you before you were born (Psalm 139:13-16), and he continues to work in you, making you more and more like his Son (Romans 8:29).

Get the point? You are priceless—certainly much more valuable than any work of art, even the “Mona Lisa.” It’s as though God has your picture on his refrigerator—he’s so proud of you.

So smile, be confident, and celebrate! You’re something else!

“Look at the birds. They don’t need to plant or harvest or put food in barns because your heavenly Father feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than they are” (Matthew 6:26).

To Do

Today, look for birds. Every time you see one, remember God’s love and your value . . . and thank him.

Also on this day . . .

1902—In Hartford, Connecticut President Theodore Roosevelt became the first President of the United States to ride in an automobile.

1906—The Victor Talking Machine Company began to manufacture the Victrola record player.

From Betsy Schmitt and Dave Veerman, 365 Trivia Twist Devotions: An Almanac of Fun Facts and Spiritual Truth for Every Day of the Year (Cincinnati: Standard, 2005).

On this day in 1971, 16-year-old Laura Baugh won the United States Women’s Amateur Golf tournament.

When Laura Baugh won, she was the youngest winner in the history of the tournament. Golf is a crazy sport, isn’t it? Some people play all their lives, taking lessons, practicing diligently, and buying all the best equipment, but never get very good. Yet along comes someone like Laura who wins a major tournament as a teenager.

Golf, like almost no other sport, tests a person’s honesty. That’s because golfers (except in big tournaments) keep their own scores. Typically after everyone putts out at a hole, the person with the scorecard will ask, “What did you get?” And that’s the test. Will the golfer honestly admit that he or she shot a 7? Or will he or she conveniently forget a swing and say 6? And what about when a golfer is standing behind some trees, swings hard, and moves the ball ahead just a couple feet. None of his or her fellow golfers sees the swing—nobody knows! So does he or she count that swing? That’s the test.

God values honesty. Many times in the Bible we read statements like, “The godly are directed by their honesty” (Proverbs 11:5), and “Lord, you are searching for honesty” (Jeremiah 5:3). So it’s no wonder that David asked God to lead him “along the path of honesty” (today’s verse).

You may not play golf, but your honesty can be tested in other ways. Someone may, for example, give you too much change after a purchase. Do you give it back? Or you may be caught in doing something wrong. Do you admit your guilt? Or perhaps you find something valuable in the park. Do you try to find the owner?

Make the right choice. Walk along the path of honesty.

Teach me how to live, O Lord. Lead me along the path of honesty . . . (Psalm 27:11).

To Do

For the next few days, be alert for tests of your honesty. Every time you notice one, say this brief prayer: “Thank you, God, for this test. It’s an opportunity to choose to do right.”

Also on this day . . .

1912—Arthur R. Eldred became the first American boy to become an Eagle Scout, the highest rank in the Boy Scouts of America.

1959—Hawaii became America’s 50^th state.

1984—Victoria Roche, a reserve outfielder, became the first girl ever to compete in a Little League World Series game.

From Betsy Schmitt and Dave Veerman, 365 Trivia Twist Devotions: An Almanac of Fun Facts and Spiritual Truth for Every Day of the Year (Cincinnati: Standard, 2005).

On this day in 1833, Benjamin Harrison, the 23^rd President of the United States, was born.

Be honest—before reading the previous sentence, had you ever heard of Benjamin Harrison? If so, it’s probably just a vague memory of something said in a history class. Yet Benjamin Harrison was President of the United States for four years (1889-1893). And he was considered a good President, with a solid foreign policy and no scandals.

This provides a great illustration and learning opportunity.

Check out the verse for today. James is saying that we should realize how quickly time passes and how short our lives really are. Like the morning fog, or as one translation puts it, “a mist,” life is fragile and passes quickly.

That’s hard to understand when we’re young, when a year seems like forever. But the older we get the faster time flies and the years zoom past us. Ask your grandparents.

When Benjamin Harrison won the presidential election, he reached one of the highest points that any American can ever hope for. Yet, just 115 years later, very few people remember him or anything about his life or administration. How quickly we forget. Think about today’s newsmakers—in a year or two we won’t remember them.

Life is short, no matter how long we live. There’s an old saying that you may have seen on a wall plaque: “Only one life, it will soon be past. Only what’s done for Christ will last.” We should spend our lives living for God and doing what he wants, and not worrying so much about being a big deal in the world.

After all, “this world is fading away, along with everything it craves. But if you do the will of God, you will live forever” (1 John 2:17).

How do you know what will happen tomorrow? For your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone (James 4:14).

To Do

Think back over the last year. Can you remember who won last year’s Super Bowl? What about the major news stories? Don’t they seem like old news now? Are the celebrities of last year still popular this year? Think about how things that once seemed important have faded in time. Ask God to help you concentrate on things that have eternal value.

Also on this day . . .

1741—Vitus Jonas Bering of Denmark discovered Alaska.

1882—Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture debuted in Moscow.

From Betsy Schmitt and Dave Veerman, 365 Trivia Twist Devotions: An Almanac of Fun Facts and Spiritual Truth for Every Day of the Year (Cincinnati: Standard, 2005).

On this day in 1871, Orville Wright was born.

The Wright brothers were right!

You’ve heard of Orville and Wilbur, right? They were the first people to successfully fly and control an aircraft with a motor. In other words, they invented the airplane.

Ever since the first human beings watched birds flap, rise, glide, and soar, they have yearned to fly. And through the years many tried in some very unusual ways, usually involving homemade wings strapped to the back. Those attempts ended in failure, often in disaster. So when Orville and Wilbur mentioned their desire to fly their friends probably thought, “Yeah right! Like that’ll ever happen!” And then, when the brothers built the airplane the critics must have said, “It’ll never fly!”

But it did, and now we have props and jets and supersonics and ultra-lights and rocket ships and space shuttles. Think of the impact that the Wright brothers made on the world.

Maybe you have a dream. It could be an invention, but it might be a vision of your future, career, or calling. Perhaps it’s a personal goal or even an idea for changing society. And maybe you’ve shared your dream with others who have put it down with comments like, “It’ll never fly!”

Don’t get discouraged and don’t give up. God wants us to think big for him. Way back in 1792, William Carey, a great missionary pioneer, said, “Expect great things from God; attempt great things for God.” What a great philosophy of life!

So keep your vision, trust God, and work hard to make it happen. And maybe some day you’ll be famous like the Wrights, and we’ll write about you—right?

Where there is no vision, the people perish (Proverbs 29:18, King James Version).

To Do

On a piece of paper, finish these sentences. “If I could be anything, I would ________________.” “If I could do anything, I would __________________.” “If I could change anything, I would ________________.” Ask God to show you steps to take to fulfill those dreams.

Also on this day . . .

1909—The first race was held at Indianapolis Speedway.

1946—Bill (William Jefferson) Clinton, the 42^nd President of the United States, was born.

From Betsy Schmitt and Dave Veerman, 365 Trivia Twist Devotions: An Almanac of Fun Facts and Spiritual Truth for Every Day of the Year (Cincinnati: Standard, 2005).

On this day in 1966, the first pictures of Earth taken from moon orbit were sent back to the United States.

For centuries people have gazed on the moon and thought about what it must be like on that cold, pockmarked sphere. Eventually we found out through NASA’s Apollo program, with moon orbits and photos sent back to earth. And on July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong stepped out of the capsule and onto its surface.

Now imagine that you are orbiting the moon, or even standing on it, and looking back to Earth. What do you see? What are you thinking? Most astronauts said that from the moon Earth looked beautiful—but very small.

Standing on Earth and looking up we can feel pretty big and important. In reality, planet Earth is tiny compared to other planets in our solar system, and it’s a mere speck in the universe.

Several years ago a man named J.B. Phillips wrote a short story titled, “The Visited Planet.” In it several angels in heaven discuss the fact that God chose Earth, our tiny and insignificant planet, for his home. They are amazed that Jesus came to Earth, born as a human baby, to be one of us. Like our astronauts, only much further out, they were looking at the world. “Why would the Father choose that place and those creatures?” they wonder.

Good question. But aren’t you glad he did? Because we live on the “visited planet,” because Jesus became one of us and lived and died for us, we can have eternal life. Then one day we will rise higher than any space explorers have ever gone and meet him face to face in Heaven.

Wow!

When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers—
the moon and the stars you have set in place—
what are mortals that you should think of us,
mere humans that you should care for us? (Psalm 8:3, 4).

To Do

On a clear night, go outside and look up at the moon and stars. Take a good look at the moon and imagine what it would be like to stand up there and to look back at Earth. Next, count the stars. Then spend a couple of minutes thanking God for sending Jesus to earth and for loving you.

Also on this day . . .

1587—Virginia Dare became the first child to be born on American soil of English parents.

1774—Meriwether Lewis, U.S. explorer, was born. He was the leader of the Lewis and Clark Expedition.

From Betsy Schmitt and Dave Veerman, 365 Trivia Twist Devotions: An Almanac of Fun Facts and Spiritual Truth for Every Day of the Year (Cincinnati: Standard, 2005).

On this day in 1939, the movie Wizard of Oz opened.

You’ve probably seen the classic film Wizard of Oz several times.

Remember the story? Dorothy lives on a farm in Kansas until a tornado picks up her house and deposits it in the land of Oz. Wishing to return home, Dorothy begins to travel to the city of Oz where a great wizard lives. Along the way she meets a Scarecrow who needs a brain, a Tin Man who wants a heart, and a Cowardly Lion who desperately needs courage. They all hope the Wizard of Oz will help them before the Wicked Witch of the West catches them.

And remember what happens when they finally get in to see the Wizard? What a shock! “The great and mighty Oz” turns out to be a frightened little man hiding behind a curtain and using a microphone to amplify his voice. He has no power or authority at all—he is a pretender.

You probably won’t ever meet a Tin Man, Scarecrow, and Lion, and hopefully you’ll never experience a tornado. But you certainly will encounter “pretenders”—people who make grand claims about having inside knowledge and truth that they really don’t.

Don’t be fooled.

The Bible warns us to watch out for false teachers and to reject their lies. The apostle Paul told the leaders of the church at Ephesus: “I know full well that false teachers, like vicious wolves, will come in among you after I leave, not sparing the flock” (Acts 20:29).

Our source of truth is the Bible, God’s Word. So be sure to check the messages you hear with Scripture. Just because someone looks good, sounds good, and has a magnetic personality doesn’t mean that he or she is telling God’s truth. Look behind the curtain.

When we tell you this, we do not use words of human wisdom. We speak words given to us by the Spirit, using the Spirit’s words to explain spiritual truths. (1 Corinthians 2:13).

To Do

Check out 1 John 2:21, 22 and 4:1, 2.

Also on this day . . .

1790—The capital city of the United States became Philadelphia instead of New York City.

1859—A hot air balloon was used to carry mail for the first time. John Wise left Lafayette Indiana for New York City with 100 letters, but he had to land after only 27 miles.

From Betsy Schmitt and Dave Veerman, 365 Trivia Twist Devotions: An Almanac of Fun Facts and Spiritual Truth for Every Day of the Year (Cincinnati: Standard, 2005).