Believe!

For Friday, November 24, 2023:

John 4:39 NLT: “Many Samaritans from the village believed in Jesus because the woman (at the well) had said, ‘He told me everything I ever did!’”

While traveling from Jerusalem to Galilee, Jesus stopped to rest by Jacob’s well. And there he struck up a conversation with a Samaritan woman. As their conversation progressed, Jesus gave an account of her history: “You don’t have a husband—for you have had five husbands, and you aren’t even married to the man you’re living with now.” Jesus knew it all. Could he possibly be the Messiah for which they’ve all been watching? Jesus then told her, “I am—I am the Messiah!”

Jesus was invited into the town and agreed to stay for two days. It was most unusual for a Jew to accept hospitality from a Samaritan. But two days was enough time for many more to believe that Jesus was God’s Son, the long-awaited Messiah. The townspeople proclaimed, “Now we believe, not just because of what the woman at the well told us, but because we have heard him ourselves. We are eyewitnesses to the truth. We know now that he is indeed the Savior of the world.”

Thus ends the story of the woman at the well. She had gotten what she wanted: truth, forgiveness, a promise of salvation and an opportunity to redeem herself with the locals by bringing them to Christ. The Samaritan community got what it wanted: redemption by God’s own Son and a chance to see heaven from the inside. God and his Son got what they wanted: a chance to spread the truth, a community of people making their decision for Christ and adding to the number of believers. It was a “win-win” event for everybody!

The woman at the well might never have had another opportunity to lead her community to Jesus, and we should learn from that. If we ever find ourselves in a position to lead others to Christ, we need to seize the opportunity. Answer questions. Teach about the Bible. Don’t be wishy-washy. The Bible is truth – stand up for it proudly! Quote the eyewitness accounts of others. Be totally convinced yourself. Show some enthusiasm! Strike while the iron is hot.

People want to know the truth. If they didn’t, you’d never get invited to their town. You’d never be asked to stay two days!

May the peace of the Lord be with you today and always! Blessings!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship