Jesus’ time with the Samaritans
December 24, 2021
Commentary
Many Samaritans from Sychar believed in Jesus after hearing the testimony of the woman at the well, “He told me all that I ever did” (v. 39). There’s a lesson here for believers. When we share our personal testimony of what God done in our lives, God can use our story to help point others to himself. People can easily dismiss the existence of God, but they can’t so easily explain away your story of life change brought about by God working in your life.
The Samaritans asked Jesus to stay with them, and he agreed, remaining with them for 2 more days (v.40). The openness of the Samaritans is contrasted with the hostility of the Jews (1:11; 2:23-25). It would have taken considerable humility mixed with genuine faith for these Samaritans to welcome a Jewish rabbit into their midst. Many more came to faith in Jesus because of His words (v. 41), his testimony about himself. A powerful gospel presentation includes the testimony of believers combined with the Word of God.
They said of Jesus, “We know that this is indeed the Savior of the world” (v.42). And they were right! Jesus came to save all, not just the Jews, but also Samaritans and even Gentiles. This verse is not about universalism – the belief that all will eventually be saved. Rather, it is saying that all people have the potential to come the saving knowledge of Christ. This is the first mention of cross-cultural evangelism in John’s gospel.
At first these next few verses read like a contradiction. If a prophet really does not receive any honor in their hometown (v. 44), then why does it say “the Galileans welcomed him” (v. 45)? Again, it’s helpful to contrast the Jews with the Samaritans. The Jews welcomed Jesus on account of the signs they had witnessed in Jerusalem. The Samaritans however believed on him because of his testimony about himself (v. 41). Faith based merely on signs is a shallow faith at best.
Application
Like the Samaritans, I want to take God at his Word. I want to live a life of humility; a life where God is welcome to come and dwell inside of me.
John 4:39– 45 (NET)
39 Now many Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the report of the woman who testified, “He told me everything I ever did.” 40 So when the Samaritans came to him, they began asking him to stay with them. He stayed there two days, 41 and because of his word many more believed. 42 They said to the woman, “No longer do we believe because of your words, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this one really is the Savior of the world.”
43 After the two days he departed from there to Galilee. 44 (For Jesus himself had testified that a prophet has no honor in his own country.) 45 So when he came to Galilee, the Galileans welcomed him because they had seen all the things he had done in Jerusalem at the feast (for they themselves had gone to the feast).