THE WOMAN AT THE WELL AND ME

Many of the Samaritans from the town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony. . . John 4:39 (NIV).

To me, the story of the Samaritan woman at the well is a clear and concise lesson concerning preparation to witness about salvation through belief in Jesus Christ. I had the advantage of hearing sermons and reading books about how to witness. But she had the unrivaled experience of spending quality time alone with Jesus while He walked the earth.

In their time together, He answered her questions and amazed her with knowledge of her sins. She explained her belief that Jews worship in the “wrong place.” He told her that worshiping in spirit and truth is what is most important, not the location.

As if His comments were of no consequence, she told Him that all of the right answers would be revealed when the Messiah comes.

“I am He,” Jesus said.

Suddenly, all He had previously shared with her came into focus. She left her water jug at the well and ran to tell the people in her hometown about the man she now believed to be the Messiah.

Because of her report, many came to sit under the teachings of Jesus. They entreated Him to stay with them for two additional days.

There seems to be a formula here for learning how to witness:

• First, spend time in His presence,
• Second, pay attention when He speaks through the Spirit or through scripture,
• And then, tell others what happened to you personally.

Lord, help me to regularly spend time alone with You, and hold on to Your teachings. Keep me bold like the Samaritan woman in sharing my story in order to bring others to Your saving grace.

© Christy Struben 2014