“Just then his disciples returned and were surprised to find him talking with a woman. But no one asked, “What do you want?” or “Why are you talking with her?” 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….
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.”
John 4:27-30, 39-42
a treasure found and a journey shared...
Recently, I stumbled upon a treasure at an estate sale: an old Matthew Henry commentary, a book long on my wishlist. Though it looked like it had seen brighter days and will definitely need rebinding soon, I was glad to pick it up..
As soon as I got home, I couldn’t wait to delve into its pages, drawn specifically to these very passages. It had been lingering in my thoughts as I felt deep conviction to write about the tremendous impact we could make if we only shared our testimonies more. If I shared my testimony more.
You see, a few years back I was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes. Shocked and scared all at the same time I asked my doctor, “Okay, now how do I get rid of it?”. She grinned and said, “Oh no, you’ll have to take medication for the rest of your life.” As if I wasn’t already in a bad place, her words surrounded me like a harsh storm—bringing with it something foul and heavy.
I sat in the downpour of her words, letting them wash over me for a brief moment. But, ever the optimist with a touch of rebellion, I quickly brushed off her words and expressed that her answer just wouldn't do and off I went in search for another.
After a few weeks of nose diving into books and relentless fingers stampeding against the keys, I discovered others who, like me, were searching for an alternative to their life sentence. I began to meet with people and eventually joined a wonderful group who supported me through this healing journey. Three months in, I had already reduced my A1C to pre-diabetic numbers and six months in I was in the clear (and have been for the last 3 years). I couldn’t believe it. I had found the answer I was looking for and wanted to share this with the world.
tell them of their faults...
I started to scroll through my contacts and mental database trying to recall anyone I knew who, in conversation or in passing, shared their struggle with me about this illness. Determined to spread the news, I jotted down a list of people I would call that week.
Suddenly, a thought crept in, interrupting my master plan to save the world (I know that sounds dramatic, but that’s how empowered I felt).
“Where’s the list of people you’re going to tell about Jesus?”
The question convicted my conscience. Here I was, filled with urgency to share a solution for a life sentence that many could avoid, yet what about telling them to come see the One who knows all that I’ve ever done and yet offers living water, a promise of life beyond this world.
My light grew dim as the weight of this question made me wrestle with my faith, and forced me to take inventory of where my hope truly lies.
As I began to read the commentary, a particular section leaped out at me, piercing my heart so deeply that I had to set the book aside and catch my breath. I quickly messaged a friend, excited to share the impactful words I had discovered:
“Many would have flocked to one that would tell them their fortune, but these flocked to one that would tell them of their faults.”
Tell them of their faults.
Did you feel the weight of those words?
For me, they struck straight to the heart. While others might have gathered for entertainment, these people, longing to be known, came to hear of the man who would tell them of their faults. They longed for a savior.
In my eagerness to share the good news about physical health, I had neglected the more urgent spiritual need. It wasn't just physical healing they needed, but it was my first responsibility to tell them of the deeper healing found in Christ. We all have a longing to be known but it is the gospel that frees us from the burden of sin, providing true rest and forgiveness.
come see a man...
What the Lord revealed to the Samaritan woman deeply ministered to her. So much so that even the shame that kept her hidden was overpowered by the desire to tell the world, “Come and see a man…!”
And isn’t that the order of salvation? We hear of a Man who offers us living water— that we may never thirst again. But first, He opens our hearts to see our need for a Savior; otherwise, we would never realize our need.
Ray Comfort comes to mind, when I encounter the order of evangelism. His passionate approach so beautifully resembles that of Christ in this moment.
Consider this next text from the commentary;
“The next subject of discourse with this woman was concerning her husband, v. 16-18……What he had said concerning his grace and eternal life he found had made little impression upon her, because she had not been convinced of sin: therefore, waiving the discourse about the living water, he sets himself to awaken her conscience, to open the wound of guilt, and then she would more easily apprehend the remedy by grace. And this is the method of dealing with souls; they must first be made weary and heavy-laden under the burden of sin, and then brought to Christ for rest; first pricked to the heart, and then healed.”
Sharing our testimonies recounts our past, bringing glory the One who saved us from ourselves and transformed our hearts. The transformation awakened our conscience and revealed our sinful heart. But, His love for us didn't leave us in our guilt. He made a way of redemption through the shedding of His blood on the cross. It is because of Him that we have true rest. We are truly known and truly found in Him. .
“Come see a man who has told me all that I ever did”
Savior of the world...
It all crystallized for me when I read,
“but these flocked to one that would tell them their faults.”
There is sweet relief found in confession and repentance, a truth every Christian can affirm.
Recently, I shared with my life group how much I cherish the practice of communion at church. Together, we gather at the Lord’s table, willingly laying bare our hearts in corporate confession, seeking forgiveness as we remember His great sacrifice.
Sister, I hope this reflection blesses you as it did me, offering a new perspective on sharing your testimony. We are all vessels for His glory, and our stories, like the woman’s, can be a powerful invitation for others to come and see.
What a blessing it will be to hear them say,
“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."
letty
Letty is BDJ's Publisher and Editor in Chief. She is a wife, mother and Bible student who loves to read and write. Letty is passionate about facilitating and speaking to others about all things Bible. Her greatest desire is to grow in Christlikeness through the meditation of His Word and the practice of His commands. Letty desires all women and children to be filled with the knowledge of God, that we would all grown in spiritual maturity resulting in love for one another and together bring glory to our Lord.
Photos sourced from Unsplash. Headshot by Letty