Tag: John 4

When Jesus Calls

In the Gospels, we see a remarkable moment when Jesus calls His first disciples. While they were going about their everyday lives—fishing by the shore, mending their nets—Jesus walks up and simply says, “Follow me.” And just like that, they drop everything and follow Him. What’s most surprising is the immediacy of their response. They didn’t hesitate, ask for time to think about it, or even inquire about what this journey would look like. They left their nets, their boats, their livelihoods, and followed Him instantly.

We find this story in multiple Gospel accounts. In Matthew 4:18-22, we see Simon Peter and Andrew being called, followed by James and John. Luke 5:1-11 gives more detail about the miraculous catch of fish, which serves as a sign of Jesus’ power. In Mark 1:16-20, the simplicity of Jesus’ call is emphasized once more—there’s no fanfare, no big promises, just a command to follow. And they obey.

There’s something about Jesus’ call that cuts through the noise of everyday life and demands a response. The disciples might not have known the full scope of what they were getting into, but they knew this: Jesus was worth following. His call offered something more meaningful than their fishing nets, and they couldn’t ignore it.

What can we learn from this? Often, we can become so caught up in our daily routines, our plans, and our careers that when Jesus calls us to something new, we hesitate. We might ask ourselves, “What if I’m not ready?” or “What will this mean for my current plans?” But the disciples teach us that when Jesus calls, the only right response is to follow—without delay, without conditions.

Jesus’ call doesn’t always lead us away from our jobs or families, but it does lead us away from a life where we are in control. To follow Jesus means giving up the idea that we have everything figured out and trusting that His path is better, even — perhaps especially — when we can’t see where it leads. When the disciples left their nets, they didn’t know that they were stepping into a world-changing mission, that they would witness miracles, or that they would eventually become the leaders of the early church. They just knew that Jesus was calling, and that was enough.

For us today, the call of Jesus might look different—it could be a nudge toward a new direction in life, a call to serve in your church or community, or a challenge to step out of your comfort zone. Whatever it is, we are invited to respond like the disciples—immediately and wholeheartedly. Jesus still calls us today, and He calls us into a life filled with purpose and adventure. But we won’t discover that if we hold onto our “nets” and insist on staying in control.

What is Jesus calling you to today? Will you drop everything to follow Him?

What Does It Mean to Worship “In the Spirit”?

In John 4, Jesus has an unexpected conversation with a Samaritan woman. As they talk, the topic of worship comes up. The woman points out that Jews worship in Jerusalem, while her people, the Samaritans, worship on Mount Gerizim. She’s focused on the location — the outward, physical expression of worship. But Jesus turns her understanding upside down when He says, “God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24).

At that time, worship was deeply tied to physical places and rituals. For the Jews, worship meant making sacrifices at the Temple in Jerusalem. For the Samaritans, it was about their sacred site on Mount Gerizim. Worship involved tangible, fleshly acts like offering animals, burning incense, and performing rituals. It was all very external, based on visible actions that could be seen and measured.

But Jesus reveals something revolutionary: true worship isn’t about the right location or the right ritual. Worship is about connecting with God on a deeper, spiritual level — “in spirit.” God is not confined to one place or bound by physical forms. He is spirit, and so our worship must be spiritual too.

What does it mean to worship in spirit?

Worshipping in spirit means engaging with God beyond external acts. It’s not about just attending a service, singing songs, or going through the motions. It’s about our hearts being fully involved — a connection that goes beyond what we do and reaches into who we are. It’s a worship that is alive, personal, and sincere.

Reflect for a moment: How often do we let worship become a routine? Do we sometimes show up physically but forget to show up spiritually? Worshipping in spirit challenges us to move past the surface. It calls us to dig deeper, to approach God with genuine reverence and openness.

This doesn’t mean we abandon the outward expressions of worship. Attending church, singing, and praying together are all important. But the key is what’s happening inside. When we worship, are we really connecting with God? Are we letting the Holy Spirit guide our hearts and minds, or are we just checking off a box?

What about worship in truth?

Jesus adds that we must worship in truth. This means that our worship is based on a real understanding of who God is. It’s rooted in the truth of Scripture and the reality of God’s character. Worship in spirit without truth can become emotionalism — a vague sense of connection without a firm foundation. But worship in truth without spirit can become dry and mechanical, just going through the motions without real engagement.

Think about your own worship: Do you feel deeply connected to God, and is that connection grounded in the truth of His Word?

Why does this matter today?

In our modern world, it’s easy to let worship become just another part of our schedule. We attend church, sing the songs, say the prayers, but it’s possible to go through the motions without engaging our spirit. Jesus calls us to something more — to a worship that’s alive, personal, and real.

God desires our hearts, not just our attendance. He wants us to connect with Him in a way that transforms us from the inside out. Worshipping in spirit and in truth allows us to move beyond ritual and enter into a real relationship with the living God. It’s not about getting everything right on the outside; it’s about letting God work deeply on the inside.

Next time you’re in a moment of worship — whether it’s at church, at home, or anywhere in between — pause and ask yourself: Am I worshipping in spirit and in truth? Am I fully engaged with God? Am I allowing the Holy Spirit to guide my heart and mind, while grounding my worship in the truth of who God is?