Relationships – Day 14
Bearer of good news: A licentious woman
Bible text(s)
In John 4 we read the story of a licentious woman with whom Jesus initiated a conversation by asking her for water. Her response to His request opened the door for Him to share truths about Himself that would change her life forever. He is the living water, the spring of water welling up to eternal life. However, before He could give her this living water, she had to admit to the truth about who she really was and come to the realisation that He is the Messiah, the Christ, whom everyone was waiting for. His words, “I who speak to you am He!” (John 4:26), sets her feet in motion. She dropped her water jar and ran to the town to tell the people about this man who knew everything about her life: “Come, see a man … Could this be the Christ?” (John 4:29).
Notice how the people of the town responded to her testimony: They came out of the town, made their way towards Him (John 4:30) and urged Him to stay with them (John 4:40). Initially they believed because of the woman’s testimony: “Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in Him because of the woman’s testimony.” Although after two days in His company and listening to His words, they said: “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 Saviour of the world” (John 4:42).
You and I have one mission — to share the good news of what Christ has done in our own lives! No fancy words, persuasiveness or eloquence is needed, only the honest testimony of what He has done. It need not have the spectacular contents, but must tell the honest story of Jesus Christ who has intervened in our lostness, pain, sickness, hopelessness, grieve, unemployment, and changed our lives.
Like this woman, you and I are merely the people who bring our testimony and then run ahead to the place where He is waiting for people. His word, His presence, He Himself is the Source of people’s steadfast faith. The privilege to show people the way through the good news in our lives is exactly what it is — a privilege. Only the Lord gets the honour and glory if people’s lives are being changed by it.
