Devotion:
Read John 4:27-30, 39-42.
She’s known to most Bible readers as “the woman at the well.” We’re told she was a Samaritan. According to the commonly-accepted practices and teachings for Jewish men of that day and time, Jesus should not have been talking to her. (Hence their surprise in verse 27 when they find him doing so.) But he did. And he changed her life. She headed back into town to tell everybody she could. I don’t know what connections she had around town, but she was apparently effective in convincing people that this Jesus of Nazareth was someone they ought to check out for themselves. Many of them believed what she was saying about him (I’m guessing there was an obvious difference in her that they could see), but later let her know that they no longer needed her witness; they had experienced his transforming presence and message for themselves.
Jesus Christ invites us to share what we have experienced with him, to tell others how important he and his way of life are to us. Our witness is simply to let others know what a difference he makes in our life. It’s okay to admit that we don’t have all the answers. We don’t understand everything about this relationship. We’re just inviting them to try Jesus out for themselves. We’re inviting them to have their own experience, not to depend on our experience.
They told the woman that, while they appreciated her getting them connected to Jesus, they no longer needed her word about him. They had their own. Oh, that more and more people would be able to say the same thing to you and me.
Personal Worship Option:
Who are the one or two individuals you are encouraging to check out Jesus for themselves? Who have you invited to church lately?
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