Devotional - John 4:39-45

Passage To Study:

John 4:39-45

[39] And many of the Samaritans of that city believed in Him because of the word of the woman who testified, “He told me all that I ever did.” [40] So when the Samaritans had come to Him, they urged Him to stay with them; and He stayed there two days. [41] And many more believed because of His own word. [42] Then they said to the woman, “Now we believe, not because of what you said, for we ourselves have heard Him and we know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world.” [43] Now after the two days He departed from there and went to Galilee. [44] For Jesus Himself testified that a prophet has no honor in his own country. [45] So when He came to Galilee, the Galileans received Him, having seen all the things He did in Jerusalem at the feast; for they also had gone to the feast.

What are the facts of the passage?:

Many of the people of the city believed because of the witness of the woman.

The Samaritans urge Him to stay with them, and He does stay for 2 days.

Many more are saved because of His direct teaching.

They believe, not because of second person testimony but because of their own interaction with and hearing of Him.

After the 2 days are up the go into Gallilee. The Galileans receive Him knowing of His cleansing of the Temple.

What do those facts mean?:

A couple thing come to mind. First, we see the power of the testimony of an individual. Many came to Christ because of this woman's testimony. Further, we see that God use even the lowliest of people. Not that women are actually lowly. However, they were perceived as lowly at this time and in this culture. This woman, especially would have been looked down on. Yet, God used her to reach a large portion of her city.

Second is the idea expressed in verse 42 of having believed and yet now really believing. How often is this true of our witness? Our words generate interest and even the beginnings of faith, but until the individual interacts with Christ for themselves, salvation does not take final root.

The contrast of verses 44 and 45 is interesting. Verse 44 tells us essentially, that Jesus had no honor in His own country of Galilee. Then verse 45 tells us they "received" Him when He got there. This could be a couple things. It could be that they wee one way about Him before and another now. Perhaps what was seen in Jerusalem created a respect for Him in them that was not there before. Possibly, the Galileans received Him hoping for the same kind of spectacular even miraculous actions in their own country. This last seems most likely.

How do those facts apply to my life?:

It is important for me and for others that we interact with Christ for ourselves and that we not be seeking His presence just because of the spectacle, or the experience of being around Him.

What should I do in response?:

See to it that I am seeking Christ for the right reasons.

Day

Many Samaritans Believe...