Sometimes we do not ask a question because we fear getting an answer we cannot handle. The disciples were confused enough that their Master had demanded that they walk through Samaria (John 4:4), and then that they had no option other than to buy food at the local 'unclean' market (John 4:8). So when they returned and found Jesus alone with a Samaritan woman they could not think of any good reason why He was talking with her. They were out of their depth and kept their questions to themselves.

It is very important to do the right thing, but it is vital to do it at the right time. The time to harvest crops is perhaps the biggest decision a farmer will make. Too early, and the produce may not be mature and the yield will be reduced. Too late, and it may rot or be taken by animals and birds. Jesus wanted His disciples to understand that His arrival on earth marked the beginning of God's spiritual harvest. It appears that they had no sense of urgency, assuming it was good enough to teach and do miracles.

Religiously, for a rabbi to choose to spend two days in Samaria was a disgrace. Allowing Samaritans to entertain a Jew was like eating pork: making Jesus and His disciples ceremonially unclean. Such a person should be ashamed of himself. But Jesus was not seeking praise from people; He was not on an ego-led publicity tour. He simply wanted the disciples to see that as people believed in Him, as the Saviour of the world, they were changed ... no matter their gender, race or religious background (John 4:42).

The interval between praying and receiving God's answer provides an important test of our relationship with Him. The royal official whose son was dying travelled a long way to ask Jesus for help. Although his son was still over twenty miles away, the man believed the words of Jesus, "You may go. Your son will live." His obedience in leaving Cana and returning to Capernaum before he saw the miracle was the sign of his faith.