The Woman at the Well

In John 4, we read the story of Jesus’ lengthy and intimate conversation with a Samaritan woman. On His way to Galilee, Jesus stops at Jacob’s well in a town called Sychar, in Samaria. There He meets a woman who has come to draw water. She’s a woman with quite the life story. We can already imply that she was a bit of an outcast in Sychar, as she was at the well drawing water by herself in the heat of the day, not the prime time for carrying a heavy jar full of water. Then, throughout the passage, we learn about her through the conversation Jesus engages her in. Most memorably, we learn that she’d been married five times and was currently with another man who wasn’t her husband. Did the woman open up and tell Jesus all these things? No, it was actually the other way around. Jesus actually told her about her own life, and after gently exposing her, He went in deeper.  

Jesus and the woman have quite the exchange. By the time they part ways, Jesus has told the woman that He offers a different kind of water—living water that leads to eternal life. He tells her about a time coming when true worshipers would worship God the Father in Spirit and in truth. The woman, clearly knowledgeable about Jewish beliefs, tries to wrap her head around everything Jesus is telling her. 

The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.” Then Jesus declared, “I, the one speaking to you—I am he.” -John 4:25-26

WOW! This is actually the first time in the entire Bible that Jesus calls Himself the Messiah! What an incredible moment. But what follows is just as incredible in my mind. 

Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?” They came out of the town and made their way toward him. -John 4:28-29

This woman didn’t have a fancy speech ready, and she certainly didn’t know everything there was to know about Jesus. What’s more, she had a shady reputation, and from my humble perspective, there was really no obvious reason for her fellow townspeople to give much weight to her words at all. But she didn’t let any of that keep her from simply telling people what she knew and recounting what she had just experienced. She told them what Jesus had told her, and that was enough. In fact, it was more than enough. If you keep reading a few verses later….

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. -John 4:39-41

Many people in Samaria became believers because that one woman—a woman who didn’t have her life together and certainly didn’t have extensive religious training—passed along what she had seen, learned and experienced. Could it really be that simple? Could it be as easy as telling your coworker that Jesus answered your prayer for healing or peace? Could it be as painless as telling your family member that God’s faithfulness and provision is the only reason you’re surviving the challenging life situation you’re walking through? Could it be as easy as sharing a Bible verse that’s been especially meaningful to you lately on your social media page? The Bible says that many of the Samaritans from Sychar believed in Jesus because of the woman’s testimony, and “all” she did was repeat to the people exactly what Jesus had spoken to her. You could do that, couldn’t you? 

Mary Magdalene

Near the end of John’s gospel, we see a similar thing take place with a different woman. A couple days after Jesus’ horrific death on the cross, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb where His body had been laid. She found the stone removed from the tomb’s entrance, and after two other disciples came to investigate for themselves, it was determined that Jesus’ body was gone. Mary was overcome with grief. As she stood crying, Jesus appeared to her. When He spoke her name, she recognized His voice, and her grief had no place there anymore. Jesus instructed Mary to go and tell His brothers, His disciples, that He would soon be ascending to the Father. 

Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her. -John 20:18

Did you catch that? She told them what Jesus had said to her. 

It’s easier than you think to share the Good News of Jesus with the people around you. You don’t need to have an eloquent sermon ready to go, although if you want to go that route, please do! You don’t need a fancy degree in religious studies, although if you want to go that route, please do! Bottom line, all you need to do is tell your friend, your coworker, your sister, your dad, your social media followers, or someone else you encounter in the course of a day whatever Jesus has told you. 

What has He been teaching you lately? How did He answer a prayer? Which Bible verse has He brought to your attention in a convicting or encouraging way? How did He fill you with peace or courage in a moment when you most needed it? When did He provide just what you needed? Your “simple” testimony could have a profound impact. God is powerful enough to take the words you pass along to the people around you and use them for His good. If you tell them what Jesus is telling you, that can be enough.

I do not hide your righteousness in my heart; I speak of your faithfulness and your saving help. I do not conceal your love and your faithfulness from the great assembly. -Psalm 40:10