EHP Day 43-Following Jesus Anywhere
John 4:39-42
Many Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me all that I ever did.” So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them, and he stayed there 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 indeed the Savior of the world.” After the two days he departed for Galilee.
She went to the well again. At noon. The least desirable and least embarrassing time to go. Avoid the local traffic, the disapproving glances. She could simply get her water and get back to experiment number six, who provided a roof but not a covenantal promise. She arrived to find the watering hole crowded with but one other, a Jewish stranger.
With nothing but a depleted, unsatisfying life, how could she have ever imagined the Savior of the world was sitting there, anxious to spend time with her? It was, he explained, his “food.” Even more, how could she imagine that she would soon run back through her neighborhood shouting, openly thankful the Savior had both exposed her shame and given her a grace-filled drink of living water?
All in Samaria. Unthinkable! The place well-spoken Jews never frequent. With people whom well-regarded Jews never contact. With a woman whom a well-respected rabbi should never talk. Her simple faith response, coupled with her boundless joy, woke up her sleepy village. More living water flowed, more faith, more joy. And, this Savior stayed longer. Time invested to explain God, and to mentor surprised disciples to see how ready the harvest truly was.
Following Jesus, you find yourself with people who simply do not understand that it is not about religion. It is about relationship with God. Days spent with the Savior…and offering grace-filled drinks of living water.
Journal Notes