“The woman then left her waterpot and went her way into the city and said to the men, ‘Come, see a Man, Who told me all things that ever I did. Is not this the Christ’?”
John 4:28-29
Once we know Him, we should want others to know Him, too.
It started out as any other day—that day when the Samaritan woman went to fetch water at Jacob’s well outside of the Samaritan city of Sychar. She went there every day at noon (v.6) because she knew no one else would be drawing water from the 100’ deep well in the hottest part of the day.
But, when she got there she found Someone waiting.
Someone Who had an appointment with her (v.4), although she knew nothing about it.
He was different from other men she’d known. Very different.
Five different times she’d been to the altar and said “I do.” And, five different times she’d been thrown out into the street as some used-up, threadbare garment (vv.17-18a). So, she finally threw conscience and caution to the wind and moved in with some guy who just wanted to use her; at least this time she could leave on her own terms if she wanted.
Thus, we’re safe in assuming the last thing on her mind that day was entering into a relationship with another man. But, soon she began to realize He was not your usual macho man who treated women like dirt.
No, again, He was “different.”
Soon she realized this One, Who knew her better than she knew herself, had but one goal in mind: To help her understand “the Gift of God and Who He was/is” (v.10). He knew where she was, who she was, why she did what did and what she needed.
And, what might that be?
Quite simply, someone to love her unconditionally and accept her as she was. . .which is exactly what Jesus did. No wonder she felt “blown out of the water” when He told her He was the One she’d been looking for all of her life (vv.25-26). Hallelujah!!
That’s why she sprinted back to town and began crying, “Come see a Man Who told me everything I’ve ever done, but still loves me just the same. Isn’t this the long-awaited Christ?!?” How wonderful to see a large number of Sychar’s residents following her out to Jacob’s well and “believing on Him because of her testimony” (v.39). And, even more wonderful is the fact that even more of them “believed when they heard Him for themselves” (vv.41-42). Glory!!
Oh, dear Pilgrim, there’s inherent power and authority in our personal testimonies. But, our main focus should be on Him, not all the ins-and-outs of what’s happened to us. The sooner we can get them to “see the Man,” the sooner they’ll be convinced by His Word and not just ours. May the Holy Spirit guide us today in our dealings with others so we, like the Samaritan woman, can soon be leading many other folks to Him.
By Tom Smith Morning Manna Dated January 30, 2010
