Bible Reading: John 4:25-42
The woman said, "I know that Messiah" (called Christ) "is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us." Then Jesus declared, "I, the one speaking to you—I am he."
Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, "Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?" They came out of the town and made their way toward him.
Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman's testimony, "He told me everything I ever did." So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days. And because of his words many more became believers. They said to the woman, "We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Saviour of the world."
A Reflection
Recommendations are always good, whether it’s a restaurant for a meal, a pleasant walking route in the countryside, a TV programme, or a film, it’s good to know that someone else has tried it and has appreciated it.
This was the case with the woman at the well in Samaria. She had met Jesus and she had had a conversation with him and was astounded by the things he had said to her. In spite of her chequered history, Jesus had not condemned her but had accepted her for who she was.
Overcome with excitement she left her water jar at the well, the very reason why she was there in the first place and rushed back into town to say to the people "Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?”
Whatever the woman’s reputation was in the town, on her recommendation the townsfolk believed, went out to meet Jesus and then invited him to stay with then to explain more. After two days with Jesus the people then believe, not because of the woman’s recommendation, but because they have heard for themselves and know that Jesus is the Saviour of the world.
There is a lovely, natural progression here in the development of faith of the townsfolk. It starts with a recommendation, it continues with a curious exploration, progresses to a longer in-depth discussion and culminates in a personal revelation and a statement of belief.
In the story of the woman at the well, we have seen the understanding of Jesus moving from ‘man’ to ‘prophet’, to ‘Messiah’ and finally to ‘Saviour of the world’.
Who is Jesus to you today? How will that understanding affect the way you live your life?
If mission starts with a recommendation ‘Come and see’, can’t we all do that?
A Prayer
Lord Jesus, give me the joy and excitement of meeting you for the first time,
And the courage to say to those I meet “Come and see…”
Amen
Come and see…