John 4:39-42
Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman's testimony, "He told me everything I ever did." So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days. And because of his words many more became believers. They said to the woman, "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 Savior of the world."
Many of the Samaritans believed in Jesus because of the woman He had met at the well. Her testimony caused them to look to Jesus. This verse made me think about my own testimony. Does what I say and do make others want to listen to Jesus? She told her experience and they believed. Do I tell others what Jesus is doing in my life? The woman told what she’d seen and heard. She wasn’t taught seven easy steps to evangelism, she just told her story. She wasn’t eloquent, she wasn’t a seasoned speaker, but she gave her testimony—her witness—of Jesus.
Part of the meaning of the word believed is ‘persuaded.’ They were persuaded that what she said was the truth, which made them listen to His words.
Warren Wiersbe said of her testimony “she was a fruitful believer. “Many believed” and then “many more believed.” She continues to bear fruit today—no one knows how many have come to faith because of her witness recorded in John 4.”
Then they asked Him to stay with them, and He did. Jesus always accepts our hospitality! He delights in spending time with us, in fellowship with us. That’s what we were created to do. In the garden, Adam walked with God in the cool of the evening, but that fellowship was broken by his sin against God. Jesus made a new path for relationship with God through Himself. Have you ever invited Jesus to fellowship with you? Apparently few of us do—even in the church! Jesus calls out at the door.
Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
-- Revelation 3:20
Have you answered the door? The Samaritans did, and now they believed for themselves. What a joyful proclamation! They became excited about their new faith in Jesus.
When we’re raising our children we give them rules and discipline them. We want them to learn how to obey without being told; the disciplines that we are teaching them will benefit them. The ultimate goal is to teach them how to obey the rules or disciplines on their own—to use the things they’ve learned so they will live productive and contented lives. In the same way we bring our children to church and teach them about God, so they can become disciplined to live a life of faith. We want them to have their own belief in God. We want them to become excited about their faith, just as these Samaritans did.
Jesus doesn’t have any grandchildren! Everyone needs to believe for themselves. It’s not easy to discipline children, especially as they become teens. It can become downright unpleasant (I speak from experience!) but we cling to the promises in God’s word:
No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. -- Hebrews 12:11
Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it. – Proverbs 22:6
The Samaritans had heard the words of Jesus, and now believed Him because they’d heard for themselves. We want our own children to hear for themselves too.
So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. --Romans 10:17
Am I making sure my family hears God’s word? Do I give them opportunities to hear about God? They need their own faith! Jesus told the Pharisees, “My sheep hear My voice;” we want our progeny to hear His voice and gain understanding on their own. We need to be faithful, then, to present Jesus to our children and grandchildren, sharing what He is doing in our lives. I don’t pray often enough for my kids and grandkids, my niece and nephew, and the kids I know. This challenges me to tell about the faith I have learned over years, and share Who Jesus is in my life today. It challenges me to pray fervently for their hearts to know Him, to recognize Him and hear His voice.
Rather than become discouraged about what I’ve not been doing, I’m focusing on changing what I can do now—praying and believing God will work. How about you? Maybe you didn’t know Christ when you were raising children. Maybe you’ve made mistakes in parenting, and left out the things which might have made for faith in your children’s lives. God knows and forgives! Begin now to pray for your kids and the other children in your life. Don’t let the fact of past lapses make you stagnant in your mission now.
Dear Abba,
Forgive me! I forget to pray for my niece, nephew, kids and grand kids. I forget to pray for the children I know. Help me to be a faithful pray-er and to lay that foundation for future faith in their lives.
Help me to be a good witness of You to everyone I meet, especially the kids in my life. Help me to remember to pray for them often, and to talk to them about the faith You’ve given me, and what You’ve done for me. Let me be a witness of Your love and grace to them through my words and actions.
Your Child,
Donna
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