“Word of mouth only?”

By Rev. Michael Stonhouse

Meditation – Thursday, August 11, 2022

John 4:27-42 (Forward, p. 13) CEV p. 1105

Today’s account of Jesus’ exploits in Samaria are certainly worthy of note, especially with regards to the spoken word. The woman that Jesus had conversed with at the well outside of Sychar immediately afterwards headed into town and exclaimed to all her fellow townspeople, “Come and see the man who told me everything I have ever done! Could he be the Messiah?” Given that she seems to have had ‘quite a reputation’—at least by my reckoning—this would have been quite a mouthful. Surely, it would have piqued the curiosity of these folk. And certainly, that was the case. We are told that ‘everyone in town went out to see Jesus’ (verse 30).

Subsequently, we are told that a lot of Samaritans in that town put their faith in Jesus because the woman had said, ‘This man told me everything I have ever done.’ Such was the power of her word, her testimony, and what a simple, uncomplicated testimony it was. And, because of it, many people came to faith. Surely, this woman needs to be counted as the first female evangelist in the New Testament.

But then, we are also told that may more Samaritans put their faith in Jesus by meeting Him for themselves and hearing what He had to say. “We no longer have faith in Jesus just because of what you told us. We have heard him ourselves, and we are certain that he is the Saviour of the world!” (verse 42).

So, here we see what might be called a two-part process. The first, the teaser, the preliminary, is someone’s verbal witness, their testimony, as to what Jesus means to them, what Jesus has done in their lives. This need not be complicated or elaborate or rehearsed, simply that one person’s story. And, while that may on occasion, may be enough to lead people to faith, to making a commitment to Jesus Christ, often one further step is necessary. Often the person needs to meet Jesus for themselves, to encounter Him in their own lives and situations. And, what form that takes, and what the timing might be, is entirely up to God, up to Jesus Christ.

One other thing to consider: Jesus said that the fields are ripe unto the harvest (verse 35). Some commentators allege that this refers to the white turbans that many Samaritan men customarily wear, meaning that Jesus could see them in the distance as they came out of the city to see Him. But, I like to think of this in more general and contemporary terms, namely that there are myriads of people that are open to the gospel, that are ready to come to Jesus and receive Him as their Saviour and Lord.

But we, you and I, often have a problem with this. Our problem with this is two-fold: First, we ‘write off’ certain people and situations as not having any potential, just as many of Jesus’ contemporaries with the Samaritans. And secondly, we are pretty reluctant, pretty tongue-tied, in telling our stories, whether to them, or to anyone else. This, to me, in rather sad, as it is my conviction that our world, yes, even our world, is already ‘ripe to the harvest’, and simply needs some people who will plant the seed and others who will gather in that harvest—and yes, that means you and me, along with God’s most gracious help. Amen.

Forward notes: “But he said to them, ‘I have food to eat that you do not know about.’ So the disciples said to one another, ‘Surely no one has brought him something to eat?’ Jesus said to them, ‘My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to complete his work’” (verses 32-34).

“When Jesus told the disciples he had food they knew nothing about, they were confused. Traveling constantly as they did, they must have been hungry all hours of the day. Had Jesus been hiding a sandwich? A pocket full of grapes? If so, why didn’t he share?

“While the disciples are focused on the material needs of the world, Jesus reminds them that they offered the food of comfort and healing to rich and poor. For Jesus, the hunger to do God’s will is more powerful than physical hunger, since living out God’s Word provides spiritual nourishment for themselves and others.

“We too are called to follow God’s will by reaching out to feed everyone with the good news of the gospel. The fields are always ripe for harvesting, and we are surrounded by those hungering to know about God’s love. Like the disciples, we too will be fed the fruit of eternal life by the Saviour of the world.”

Moving Forward: “Who are you feeding with the good news of the gospel?