Called To Testify
Just in time for our February celebration of Black History (#Black History 365), Harriot Tubman's image has been reinstated as the new face of the U.S. $20 bill. Harriet Tubman was selected for this honor because of her legendary courage in going back, time and again, into the hostile south to tell enslaved people to come with her to freedom. As a result, she was able to save tens of thousands of lives as she relied on her faith in God to lead her and her "passengers " north through many dangers, toils and snares. In our lesson this week (John 4:25-42), the testimony of one woman about Christ, helped lead a whole Samaritan town to Jesus and salvation. May God bless somebody to find freedom and salvation this week because you are willing to tell them about Jesus.
The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.” Then Jesus declared, “I, the one speaking to you—I am he.” (John 4:25-26) Jesus, in a divinely appointed conversation was speaking to a woman at a well in Samaria where He had stopped to be refreshed. His disciples had gone into town to buy food for all of them. Jesus was left alone, and as He waited for their return, He engaged this Samaritan woman in a conversation that would literally change her life. In vv 21-24, He explained to her that her parochial beliefs about worshiping God were insufficient. The Messiah would usher in the requirement to worship God in Spirit and in truth. She knew about the prophecies regarding the Messiah's coming, but she didn't realize how near He was. Jesus revealed to her that He is the Messiah and she was now in His presence! There are some who are still waiting for a Messiah, but Jesus has declared that He is the Messiah and the time is now to be saved!
Just then his disciples returned and were surprised to find him talking with a woman. But no one asked, “What do you want?” or “Why are you talking with her?” Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?” They came out of the town and made their way toward him. (John 4:27-30) When the disciples returned from going to buy food, they found Jesus talking to the Samaritan woman. This was surprising to them because it was completely out of cultural norms for a Jewish man to engage in discussion with a woman in public (let alone a Samaritan). As they questioned in their minds, the Samaritan woman left her water jar and hurried to town to tell everybody to "come see a man..." who she believed was the Messiah. And because of her testimony "...he told me everything I ever did", the people came to Jesus. Have you told somebody who doesn't know Jesus what He has done for you?
Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I ever did.” So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days. And because of his words many more became believers. They said to the woman, “We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world.” (John 4:39-42) At a time when many Jewish people had not accepted Jesus as the Messiah, we see that "many... Samaritans... believed in him". They were driven to believe in Him "because of the woman's testimony". And many more believed in Him because of His word. Our testimony is important in helping people come to Christ. But we also need the power of the word of God that still renews and transforms the hearts and minds of men and women.
Covid vaccinations are gearing up in this country and they hold the promise of preventing people from having serious complications and even death from Covid-19. In communities of color, we have to be vigilant about taking the vaccine. And once we have, we have to tell others not to fear taking it themselves. Our testimony about our experience with the vaccine can help people to decide to take it. Our testimony about our experience with Jesus can help people decide to come to Him... and that won't just save their life, that will lead them to eternal life.
I'll see you in Sunday School!
Blessings
