Anchor My Faith

The City People Respond

Scripture: John 4:39-42

In the previous lesson, Jesus began to prepare his disciples about the importance of harvesting fields that are ready for harvest. The Samaritan woman who was downcast and rejected, came to the well at noon to avoid others, was drawn into conversation by Jesus. What she heard caused her to believe that Jesus may be the Messiah. In her excitement, she rises to the occasion and goes back to the city to tell about this Jesus she met at the well. Her words and the change in her demeanor caused “Many Samaritans from that town [to believe] in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me all that I ever did.”’ (John 4:39 ESV). This woman is living out what we covered in the previous lesson of going and telling others about Jesus and as a result those who heard “. . . came to him [and] asked him to stay with them, and he stayed there two days” (John 4:40). Jesus stayed there for two days “And many more believed because of his word” (John 4:41 ESV).

Notice the progression of faith. Jesus speaks to the woman and she goes to the city and declares that she may have found the Messiah. As a result, many from the city believed and with others they came to Jesus. As they listened to Jesus, many more believed that he was indeed the Messiah, the Savior of the world. Jesus came here to Samaria, a place the Jews avoided, and meets a woman the Jews would avoid at all cost and stimulates her faith to the point that she goes back to the city and witnesses to those who despise her and as a result they come to Jesus. We need to be careful and not show partiality when it comes to who we share our faith with.

When the woman went back to the city there was some doubt in her heart about Jesus being the Messiah, but her faith was strong enough to encourage the city people to go and check out Jesus. They did and their faith became stronger than the faith of the woman and they believed he was the Messiah, the Savior of the world. “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 ESV).

Notice the phrase “Savior of the world” at the end of the verse. Jesus didn’t come to be the savior of only the Jews, but of all language and ethnic groups through the world. This harvest among the Samaritans is the beginning of reaching out to those in the world. Jesus had his focus among the Jews, but his disciples and others took the gospel out to others. These are spoken of as other sheep in John 10:16 (ESV): “And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.” In John 11:51 – 52, Jesus speaks of gathering together the children of God who are scattered abroad.

Prayer

Father, this lesson points out how important it is to share our faith with those you put before us. I have learned as I wrestle with this that these people may not be attractive to me and maybe even desire to take my life. I think of the many who have been led to salvation through the act of forgiveness or even in their love for the one who was taking their life. Father, I understand that being an effective witness may require me to step away from comfort and security that has silenced Christians in the western culture. Empower me to be more effective as your witness.