John 4:39-42
Many Samaritans from that city believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I have ever done.” So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them; and he stayed there for two days. And many more believed because of his word. 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 truly the Savior of the world.”
And look at what happened! The Samaritan woman has now led others to come to Jesus. We might even say that she is, in this sense, the first evangelist of John’s Gospel. For while Andrew goes to tell his brother Peter that he has met the Messiah, this woman goes and tells all kinds of people. And they come to believe and seek out Jesus because of her testimony.
But before moving too quickly from this scene, let’s tarry just a moment to notice the essence of her report. She says, “He told me everything I have ever done.” That’s it. Not, “he predicted the future.” Not, “he cured a dread disease.” Not even, as Jesus actually did, “He promised me living water.” No. It’s simply “He told me everything I have ever done.” Or, as we’ve discussed earlier, Jesus saw her. That is, he regarded her as worth seeing, as worthy of his attention, as someone who deserved to be known and taken seriously.
How powerful that is. And on the basis of this testimony, others also came to be seen, known, and counted as worthy.
How powerful that is. And how easy for us to offer to those around us. To slow down in order to really see – that is, notice, give attention, and convey a sense of worthiness to – our friends, our children, our spouse, our co-workers, our neighbors, and those we don’t even know.
If we can do this, goodness, who knows what may follow!
Prayer: Dear God, help us to see – really see – those around us that they may sense your love and believe they are worthy. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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