What Jesus Did! 'The Father Is Looking for Us' — John 4:23

Thursday, March 10, 2022

[Jesus continued his response about worship,] "But the time is coming — indeed it's here now — when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way."
— John 4:23 NLT

Key Thought

Remember playing hide and seek as a child? Part of the fun in playing was being found. In the previous verse, [1] Jesus tells us that the heart of worship is honoring our Father for the salvation he brings us. Today, Jesus reminds us that the Father is seeking us. As we worship him "in spirit and in truth," he is rushing to meet us! The Father seeks us. That is truly an incredible thought. But then, isn't that the image we have of his coming to meet with Adam and Eve in the cool of the garden and looking for them after they had sinned? [2] The Father longs not only to receive our worship but also to be with us. What incredible grace! Since we can worship God anywhere, our response to God's desire to be with us is to offer ourselves to him as a living sacrifice of worship! [3] As we obey Jesus' teaching, God — Father, Son, and Spirit — come to live in us and make their home with us making our bodies a temple of God's Spirit. [4] Jesus' words are as revolutionary as they are reassuring!

[1] John 4:22.
[2] Genesis 3:6, 8-9.
[3] Romans 12:1-2.
[4] John 14:19, 23; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20.

Today's Prayer

Father, I confess that I cannot adequately understand your majesty and holiness. Your greatness humbles me. To know, dear Father, that you dwell with me as I live in worship to you totally overwhelms me. Thank you for loving me so completely. May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart and the works of my hands be pleasing in your sight. Accept my praise in Jesus' holy name. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Acts 17:22-31
  • Luke 15:20
  • Genesis 3:8-9

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Illustration

Illustration of John 4:23 NLT — "But the time is coming — indeed it's here now — when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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