Highrock Church

After encountering Jesus, the Samaritan woman leaves her water jar behind and rushes back to her town to tell others about him, inviting them to come and see for themselves. While his disciples focus on lunch, Jesus teaches them that his true nourishment comes from doing the Father’s will. Many Samaritans believe because of the woman’s testimony, and even more come to faith after hearing Jesus personally, recognizing him as the savior — not just the savior of the Samaritans or the Jews, but savior of the world. Jesus crosses boundaries in order to bridge the divides that our sin has created.

Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:

https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

Resources for "New Testament in a Year"

https://www.highrock.org/newtestament

Sample chapter from "Living Out Loud" (book mentioned by Dave):

https://files.tyndale.com/thpdata/firstChapters/978-1-4964-9002-5.pdf

For Reflection:

- Why do you think the Samaritan woman's testimony was so powerful even though her understanding was so limited?

- Who in your life might be open to hearing about Jesus through your story?

- How might this encounter challenge how we respond to social and cultural boundaries today? What divides might God want you to bridge?

- Prayer: Lord Jesus, use my life to invoke curiosity about you, inviting others to encounter you themselves.

We are told that Jesus "had to go" through Samaria, where he stops at a well and begins a surprising conversation with a Samaritan woman, crossing cultural, ethnic, and social boundaries. Asking her for a drink, he offers her “living water” that satisfies the deepest thirst of the soul and leads to eternal life. We see that Jesus actively seeks those who are the last, the lost, and the least in the world's eyes but who matter deeply in his.

Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:

https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

Resources for "New Testament in a Year"

https://www.highrock.org/newtestament

For Reflection:

- What stands out to you about Jesus initiating conversation with the Samaritan woman?

- What kinds of “thirst” do people try to satisfy apart from God? Where are you tempted to satisfy your thirst from wells that are spiritually dry?

- How is the Jesus we see here similar to and different from the Jesus you used to imagine?

- Prayer: Jesus, satisfy my thirst with this living water that only you can give!

We love the parts of Jesus that heal, help, and set us free.

But what happens when following Him starts costing us something?

What if the Kingdom of God is far better - and far more demanding - than we expected?

· · ·

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👉🏻 Check out Highrock's 15-min daily devotionals

When Jesus enters the temple in Jerusalem, he finds it filled with merchants and money changers who have turned a place of worship into a marketplace. Driven by passion for his Father’s house, he clears the temple to make it a more fitting place for people to encounter God. When challenged, Jesus makes a reference to his own body being a temple — again, a place for people to encounter God. God now dwells in human hearts, not halls of stone — how might Jesus want to make our lives a place where people might encounter God?

Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:

https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

Resources for "New Testament in a Year"

https://www.highrock.org/newtestament

For Reflection:

- Why do you imagine Jesus reacted so strongly to this scene in the Temple?

- Are there distractions or compromises that crowd out genuine worship in your life?

- How does knowing that Jesus sees the true motives of our hearts challenge or comfort you?

- In what ways might Jesus want to “cleanse” your life to make it a more fitting temple for the Lord?

- Prayer: Lord Jesus, purify my heart and make my life a temple where people can reliably encounter you.

Jesus calls Philip to follow him, and Philip immediately shares the news with Nathanael, declaring that they have found the one promised in Scripture. Nathanael is skeptical at first, questioning whether anything good can come from Nazareth, but Jesus reveals his prophetic insight into Nathanael's life. Jesus then promises to all his disciples that they will see even greater things, with himself as the very connection between heaven and earth! That is who Jesus is — the one who becomes the very way that we can connect with God.

Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:

https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

Resources for "New Testament in a Year"

https://www.highrock.org/newtestament

For Reflection:

- Jesus demonstrates supernatural insight into Nathanael's life? Has another believer or the Bible itself ever drawn you into faith by showing deeper insight into you?

- Who might you invite to “come and see” Jesus?

- Jesus tells all his disciples that they will see "greater things" and the ways that Jesus is a connection between heaven and earth. How do you experience this connection between heaven and earth today?

- Prayer: Lord Jesus, help me move beyond doubt into deeper trust and boldly invite others to come and see you.

This opening passage declares that Jesus, the Word, has existed from the beginning with God and is fully God, the source of all life and light. This divine light is resisted by the darkness of this world, though the darkness can neither understand nor defeat the light. If you think this opening sounds different than the other gospels, you would be correct! As we continue through John's gospel, we'll consider these unique threads and the way that they show us about Jesus, the unique Son of God!

Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:

https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

Resources for "New Testament in a Year"

https://www.highrock.org/newtestament

For Reflection:

- What does it mean to you that Jesus is the “Word”, and how does that shape your understanding of him?

- What do you understand from this passage about the relationship between Jesus and God the Father?

- How have you experienced Jesus as light in your own life?

- What questions does the opening to John's gospel raise for you?

- Prayer: Jesus, Word who dwells with us, help me receive you fully and walk in the light and life you bring.

As the two disciples reach Emmaus, they urge Jesus — still unrecognized — to stay with them. When he breaks bread, their eyes are opened and they finally recognize him as Jesus, who immediately disappears. The two disciples reflect on how their hearts burned as Jesus explained the scriptures to them. Later, they repeat to the other disciples that Jesus was revealed in the breaking of bread. Where is Jesus to be found? Where is confusion turned into clarity and joy? In the reading of the Word and in the fellowship of believers, especially as we gather to celebrate communion!

Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:

https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

Resources for "New Testament in a Year"

https://www.highrock.org/newtestament

For Reflection:

- Have you ever become aware of God's activity in your life, but only after the fact? What opened your eyes?

- Why do you think that God chose that moment to open their eyes to Jesus' identity? What led to the disciples finally recognizing Jesus (cf. v16)?

- How have you become more aware of Jesus through the Bible and through fellowship, especially communion?

- Prayer: Jesus, ignite my heart through your Word, and lead me to see you more clearly in fellowship, especially in breaking bread with others.

On the road to Emmaus, two discouraged disciples walk away from Jerusalem, confused about Jesus’ death. A stranger joins them on their journey, but God conceals the fact that this "stranger" is Jesus. This kind "stranger" first listens to the story of their distress before explaining a missing piece in their understanding. The scriptures, says the stranger, clearly show that they should not be surprised by Jesus' suffering because the scriptures clearly claim that the Messiah must suffer. We will return to the second half of this story tomorrow and see what else is still missing for these two discouraged disciples.

Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:

https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

Resources for "New Testament in a Year"

https://www.highrock.org/newtestament

For Reflection:

- What does this passage reveal about how Jesus responds to confusion and doubt?

- Where has Jesus walked with you in a season of discouragement? Perhaps that season is now?

- What role does Scripture play in helping you see God’s purposes more clearly?

- How might you become more open to and aware of Jesus’ presence in your daily life?

- Prayer: Risen Jesus, open my eyes to understand your Word and recognize your presence in every season.

Have you ever gotten tired of trying and still falling short?

To the point where avoiding God or church just feels easier than facing it again?

What if the Spirit of God meets you there not with more shame but with the power to change?

· · ·

👉🏻 Check out other Highrock sermons

👉🏻 Check out Highrock's 15-min daily devotionals

After Jesus is arrested, Peter follows at a distance but ultimately denies knowing Jesus three times, just as predicted. When the rooster crows, Peter realizes his failure and runs into the night. Jesus alone remains faithful in these dark moments. But of all those who fail to be faithful, Peter at least is honest about his failure and weeps bitterly over it. Jesus stands ready to forgive Peter, and us, and that restoration starts with a moment of honesty like Peter's.

Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:

https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

Resources for "New Testament in a Year"

https://www.highrock.org/newtestament

For Reflection:

- What do you think led Peter to deny Jesus despite his earlier confidence?

- Where are you tempted to follow Jesus “at a distance”?

- What does Peter’s response of weeping teach about repentance?

- What fears or pressures make it difficult to stand firm in your faith or to be honest about the ways you fail to do so?

- Prayer: Lord Jesus, help me to trust in your grace. Help me to courageously identify my sins and failures so that I might heal and grow.