Come Be My Follower - Jehovah's Witnesses Official Media Web Site

“FORTHISIWASSENTFORTH” 79
tactfully sidesteps such issues and keeps the conversation
on track. He focuses on spiritual matters—pure
worship and Jehovah God. His words have far-reaching
effects, for the woman relays them to the men of
the city, and they too want to listen to Jesus.—John 4:
3-42.
4 Upon their return, how do the apostles feel about the
remarkable witness that Jesus is giving here? There is
no sign of enthusiasm on their part. They are surprised
that Jesus is even talking to this woman, and evidently
they say nothing to her. After she leaves, they keep
urging Jesus to eat the food they have brought. However,
Jesus says to them: “I have food to eat of which you do
not know.” Puzzled, they take his words literally at first.
Then he explains: “My food is for me to do the will of
him that sent me and to finish his work.” (John 4:32,
34) Jesus thus teaches them that his main work in life is
more important to him than eating. He wants them to
feel the same way about it. What is this work?
5 Jesus once said: “I must declare the good news of
the kingdom of God, because for this I was sent forth.”
(Luke 4:43) Yes, Jesus was sent to preach and to teach the
good news of God’s Kingdom. Jesus’ followers today
have the same work to do. It is vital, then, that we consider
why Jesus preached, what he preached, and what
his attitude toward his assignment was.
To preach means to proclaim, or declare, a message. To teach is
similar in meaning but involves conveying a message in greater depth
and detail. Good teaching includes finding ways to reach hearts in
order to motivate students to act on what they hear.
5. What was Jesus’ lifework, and what will we consider in this chapter?