Key Verse: “Many more believed because of what he said. 42 And they told the woman, “We no longer believe because of what you said, since we have heard for ourselves and know that this really is the Saviour of the world.” (John 4:41-42 CSB)
Through her encounter with Jesus at the well, the Samaritan woman’s life had been radically changed. Afterward, she had immediately headed into town to tell people about it. She wanted them to come and see for themselves the person she had just met. “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did,” she told people, “Could this be the Messiah?” (v.29). Upon hearing this people left and headed to where Jesus was.
As a result, John tells us that, “many Samaritans from that town believed in him because of what the woman said” (v.39). The Samaritan woman, once known for her relational dysfunction and sin, was now living proof of the power of Jesus Christ to transform lives. The life change that had occurred in her from her encounter with Jesus was enough to spur others on to seek Him for themselves. And because of this, “many more believed because of what he said” (v.41). The mission of Jesus Christ was continuing to advance.
When they returned and found the woman, they said to her, “We no longer believe because of what you said, since we have heard for ourselves and know that this really is the Savior of the world” (v.42). The man they had first heard about from the woman, they had now met and experienced personally.
The truth is that some things are best experienced in person. It’s one thing to see a photo of a beautiful sunset, or to hear someone describe to you seeing an amazing landscape of God’s creation. But to see these things for yourself, to experience them personally, takes it to a whole different level.
The same is true when it comes to introducing people to Jesus. Our mission begins when we obediently follow Jesus’ call to go and make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19-20). We need to go to the ends of the earth telling our story of what Jesus Christ has done and why He has come. Like the Samaritan woman, our lives are to be living proof of His transforming power as we boldly share Jesus with all who will listen.
But the goal is not simply just to tell them. It also needs to include an invitation to others to experience Jesus for themselves. “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did,” the woman had said to the people. We don’t want people to only know about Jesus and His gospel message. We want them to know and experience Him for themselves. We want them to “taste and see that the Lord is good” (Psalm 34:8).
Take a moment for prayerful reflection. Who do you know that needs to be invited to come and experience the transforming power of Jesus for themselves? Invite God to speak to you about this today.
Prayer: Jesus, only you can truly transform someone’s life forever. Thank you for the ways that I have already experienced this in my own life. I pray that my life would be living proof to everyone of who you are and what you have done. Please show me those around me who need to come and experience you for themselves. Amen.
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Jonathan Miller has served in pastoral roles for more than 13 years in churches in Barrie, Oakville and Burlington, Ontario. He currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer at Prison Fellowship Canada, a ministry that mobilizes and equips local churches to engage in the restorative work of prisoners, ex-prisoners, their families, and victims across Canada. Jon holds degrees from McMaster University and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He and his wife Adrienne have been married since 2004, and live in Burlington, Ontario with their 4 children. Jon’s greatest passion is to know Jesus and to see lives transformed by Him and for Him.
