See For Yourself

One of my favorite things to do is read the Bible with Holy Spirit. (It’s kind of pointless to do it without Him ;)) He highlights moments in familiar passages that never really stuck out before or shows me another perspective I may have missed. I had one of these moments last week and I thought I’d share. I’ve been reading through the book of John again and as I landed in the familiar story of Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well, a verse I never really noticed before stuck with me. 

“They said to the woman, ‘It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world.’” (John 4:42)

There is so much going on in Jesus’ conversation with this woman that takes place in the verses prior, but one of the main things we cannot fail to acknowledge is that she walks away from her encounter with Jesus changed. He takes time to acknowledge and actually talk to her, which was a major cultural faux pas in and of itself. He really sees her and calls out things in her life He couldn’t possibly know this side of Heaven. He reveals Himself as the Messiah and offers her something more than she could begin to imagine – Living Water. Himself. (Then you have the disciples coming back urging Jesus to eat and Jesus tells them He has food to eat they don’t know about (v.31-32). Their response ALWAYS makes me laugh out loud because I would probably be on their level, asking the same thing, ‘Uh wait…who brought Him food? Did someone get Him something to go?’)

All that aside, we find the woman, who was not exactly in the highest social circles of that town, running off to tell everyone about Jesus and to come meet Him for themselves. Jesus personally impacted her life and she wanted everyone else to know. Her testimony spread and because of it, many Samaritans came to believe (v. 39). The people flock to Jesus and He ends up staying for a couple days, “and many believed because of His word.” (v. 41) Then comes the verse that popped out at me this time around.

“They said to the woman, ‘It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world.’” (John 4:42)

You see, the Samaritan woman’s testimony mattered. She needed to go and tell people about this Jesus. Initially, the people may have been drawn to Jesus, their curiosity piqued because someone they knew was changed, but what was it that made them stay? It was hearing Jesus for themselves that they truly came to know and believe He is the Messiah. 

I think I found a new prayer to lift up in my life and the lives of my fellow believers from verse 42. Testimonies are powerful and we need to speak out what Jesus has done in our lives, but may it never stop there! May our lives and our words draw others to Jesus Himself – that they may taste and see for themselves. To have You, Jesus, call them by name so their eyes may be opened and their lives forever changed – like Mary at the empty tomb (John 20:16) and Isaiah 43:1. May others come and hear your personal call for themselves. 

I am so thankful Jesus doesn’t make it hard to find Him. I am so thankful for His patience, His compassion, and His eyes full of love and grace. He doesn’t treat me as I deserve and that makes me want to both fall on my face and dance around like an idiot in equal measure, overflowing with praise to Him.

Pray this prayer with me today: 

Jesus, may I continue to grow in my capacity to love you as you deserve. I know I am not even close, but taking small steps every day. Movement matters. May I be bold to speak of all you’ve done and are doing in my life so that others would come and seek You out for themselves. 

Seal that with a yes and amen!