Testimonies Matter
By Aisha Darwesh
The Word: John 4:39-45
39So there were many from the Samaritan village who became believers in Jesus because of the woman’s testimony: “He told me everything I ever did!” 40Then they begged Jesus to stay with them, so he stayed there for two days, 41resulting in many more coming to faith in him because of his teachings.
42Then the Samaritans said to the woman, “We no longer believe just because of what you told us, but now we’ve heard him ourselves and are convinced that he really is the true Savior of the world!”
43On the third day Jesus left there and walked to the province of Galilee, where he was raised. 44Now Jesus knew that prophets are honored everywhere they go except in their own hometown. 45Even so, as Jesus arrived in the province of Galilee, he was welcomed by the people with open arms. Many of them had been in Jerusalem during the Passover Festival and had witnessed firsthand the miracles he had performed.
Today’s verses display the glory and the fruitfulness that flows out of God’s marvelous grace. Jesus showed grace to the Samaritan woman and as a result her life was transformed and her testimony led many others to faith in Jesus.
We also see that it wasn’t just the woman’s testimony that led the Samaritan villagers to Jesus. That was just the starting point. They heard Him for themselves and became convinced that He really is the Savior of the world (v. 42).
Going back to the water and the well imagery we see in earlier verses, think of the woman at the well as the bucket and Jesus as the life-giving fountain of hope. When God touches our lives, we become vessels to give others a taste of God’s goodness and hope, but we ourselves cannot sustain others’ faith in God. Eventually, they have to go to the Source Himself.
What’s also interesting to note is that the Samaritans believed based on the teachings of Jesus, not necessarily because of His signs and wonders. This shows us what we are to base our faith on–God’s Word alone. God’s signs and wonders support and spring out of His Word, but we shouldn’t base our faith in God on signs and wonders. Faith comes from hearing and hearing by the Word of God (Romans 10:17).
Another important note: Jesus spent time with all kinds of different people groups. As Ji illustrated on Sunday, the Samaritans were considered an enemy by the Jews. The Jews despised Samaritans and went out of their way to avoid Samaritans. Yet Jesus in His love and mercy specifically took the road through Samaria to meet the woman by the well. This shows us we should be intentional about reaching individuals who are despised in society. As I heard someone once say, “The one who man rejects, God elects.” We don’t see as God sees. Think of it: the woman at the well who was despised by everyone and experienced heartbreak and broken relationships turned out to be the very person God saw and chose to be a voice of hope to the entire village.
What an amazing God! Just imagine how He sees you.
Application
What is your source? Are you getting your hope, validation, and refreshment from Jesus or from something else? Evaluate yourself honestly. Don’t just say Jesus is your Source and then go back to something else to find satisfaction. If you are functionally looking to something else to fulfill you, redirect your attention and energy to Jesus. Everyone goes through dry seasons in life; it’s nothing to be ashamed of, but it’s not something you can hide from God.
He is our Source. He is the life-giving fountain that restores our strength and revives our dry souls. Take a moment right now to drink deep of His Spirit. Turn on some worship music and take a few minutes to praise God and acknowledge Him as your Source. Allow His Spirit to satisfy your thirst for more.
Now that you are recalibrated and have the right perspective, think of someone in your social circle with whom you can share the Gospel with. It doesn’t have to be dramatic. Whether it’s showing kindness to the person who helps you at the check-out counter or offering a compliment to a discouraged co-worker, there are plenty of ways to offer hope and encouragement and build bridges to even the most seemingly unreachable people. Let God show you what He wants you to do, and do it.
Prayer
Father God, I thank You for being my Source and my Redeemer. You came to seek and save that which was lost, including me. Thank You with all of my heart. Help me be a point of contact for someone to know You today. Let my life be a witness to others. Let my testimony sink deep into others that they might believe in You and know that You are the Savior of the world. In Jesus Name, Amen.