In reading John 4:20-26 in our last lesson, we certainly witnessed a
miracle taking place in the Samaritan woman's life, didn't we? We saw
our Savior, climbing right over obstacles to reach a lost soul. Jesus
climbed over the tradition of men in regard to speaking to this woman.
The disciples wondered at this behavior, but knew if Christ was talking
to her it was for some good reason and some good end. Ladies, is that
your purpose during the conversations you engage in?? Jesus climbed over
the present sinful lifestyle of the Samaritan woman, and completely met
her need for love, self-worth, and purpose with the truth of His Word.
Christ, in a moment of truth and her acceptance of it, elevated this woman
from her previous position in society! She was now a citizen of heaven!
Hallelujah! Perhaps in looking back at your life you can remember the
kinds of obstacles that Christ climbed over in order to reach you... Aren't
you glad now that He did; aren't you glad that the Lord didn't give up
on you? Gone are the barriers and weights that once existed in your heart.
As a matter of fact, before Christ, that is all the Samaritan woman's
water pot could hold…
Jeremiah 2:13
For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain
of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can
hold no water.
All the polluted, stagnate water of the Samaritan woman's old life was
poured out at Calvary and she now held living water within her; she was
filled to the brim and her thirst had been satisfied....
Proverbs 19:23
The fear of the Lord tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide
satisfied...
Isaiah 12:3
Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.
Are you abiding satisfied today, Christian lady? I can tell you how you
will know if you are or not just by looking at the Samaritan woman's life
immediately following her salvation…
John 4:28-30
The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and
saith to the men, Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever
I did; is not this the Christ? Then they went out of the city, and came
unto Him.
Yes, she was satisfied enough within herself to share the truth with others
and not a moment was wasted! Not only that, this woman went straight to
the ones she knew most intimately first...
John 7:38
He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly
shall flow rivers of living water.
The very first hour she was saved she was already evangelizing others!
She wanted everyone she knew to become acquainted with Jesus. And ladies,
she went to a highly populated area where there are plenty of people -
the city! Her zeal puts us to shame, amen? Ladies, how much time have
you wasted when it comes to sharing the gospel with other people? Is there
someone you should have witnessed to by now, someone that the Lord wanted
to send you to immediately after your salvation? If we are truly satisfied
with the deep well of living water that abides within us, don't you think
we'd want to see others we care about drink of the same deep satisfaction
and quench the thirst of their soul too? There should be a river of water
flowing out of our bellies, not just a trickle now and then! How far will
you go to reach the lost with the abundant supply of living water you
say you've tapped into? As far as Jesus went, I hope! He went out of His
way to Samaria for just one woman.
Remember this - every person has a cup to fill, and a thirst to quench!
Now, you might be thinking that you are not able to do such a thing as
reach lost people. Maybe you feel you are not skilled enough at witnessing.
Might I point out that the Samaritan woman was also a most unlikely candidate,
but God used her! Ladies, the Lord has given each of us a unique work
to do; don't waste time - get busy immediately! The best way to draw joy
out of your well is to win the lost! True, this woman didn't know much
scripture at this point in her new life but that did not keep her from
speaking out for Christ. All she did was begin by sharing what Jesus had
done for her, through sharing her personal testimony. If you'll notice,
she wasn't a bit shy in doing so either! When you don't know what to say
to others, you can begin there too... Just simply and humbly share how
Jesus Christ climbed over obstacles and reached your lost soul, bringing
salvation and satisfaction to it. Don't keep the goodness of God in your
life a secret!
Psalm 66:16
Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done
for my soul.
Ladies, your testimony could impact a whole city, just as the Samaritan
woman's did! Let's look at verses 39-42 of John 4 and you'll see what
I mean....
And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying
of the woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I did. So when
the Samaritans were come unto him, they besought him that he would tarry
with them: and he abode there two days. And many more believed because
of his own word; And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because
of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is
indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world.
How exciting it is to hear that the truth you've shared with someone else
has changed his or her life! The Bible says MANY of these people took
what the woman said and came to see and hear Christ firsthand. By the
way, Jesus didn't speak to the woman of Samaria about the good things
she did, either - He spoke to her of her sin ("all that ever I did") and
she straightforwardly admitted that fact. This is what captured everyone's
attention… Yes, just one unlikely person's influence, but so much power
behind it! Others personally embraced what the Samaritan woman had already
taken hold of. She was used to clear up any misconceptions the townspeople
may have had about who Jesus was.
But ladies, just as these folks did, make sure your salvation isn't second-hand
info, learn for yourself what Christ has said in His Word about it! They
knew now for certain He was the Christ and they invited Him to stay in
their hearts, and their city! Imagine the purpose this Samaritan woman
felt in her life now! She was experiencing true joy, drawn from the well
of her salvation. Prior to Christ, she was not making a healthy contribution
to society.... Most of these city people probably wouldn't even talk to
her before, wouldn't even look at her because of her sinful lifestyle.
No doubt they didn't respect her very much either. But now, because of
her conversion and faith in Christ, they listened to her. What a miracle
salvation truly is - a bridge between God and man, and a bridge bringing
men and women together from all walks of life!
In closing, what impact has your testimony had upon other people? Are
you clearing up their misconceptions about Christ, or confusing them further??
Perhaps there are specific ways that you can think of to be a better witness
for the Lord. Think back for a moment on the impact other believers have
had upon your life. Was theirs a good influence, or a bad one? Who did
persuade you most in coming to Christ and how? When we follow Jesus' principles
of personal evangelism to reach the lost, He will give us the harvest.
As we reflect on this story, let's review His soul winning standards:
1. personal physical needs laid aside (hunger or rest)
2. personal prejudices unacceptable
3. met her in a gracious way in spite of differences
4. spoke of familiar topic (water) and secured her interest
5. not forceful or disrespectful in face of her dullness
6. guided the conversation with wisdom and purpose
7. didn't avoid talking about sin
8. allowed time for the truth to sink in
God oftentimes uses very weak and unlikely instruments for beginning and
carrying on a good work. Praise the Lord; that means you and I have a
chance to do something for Him! Our Savior, by willingly and skillfully
engaging in conversation and teaching one ill-fated woman, spread the
truth of salvation to a whole town! Her awe of God quickly multiplied
and the Samaritan woman became a fruitful believer. The question is, have
YOU?
God Bless,
Pam
Isaiah 60:1&2
Copyright 2000 Pamela A. Iannello
