The Gospel of John: John 4.27-42

Read and meditate on John 4.39, 40.
You and I cannot convert anyone to Jesus. All we can do, like that Samaritan woman, is report what we know and have experienced of Him, making sure that, in our own lives, the reality of Jesus is plain for all to see. Evangelism is a process, but so also is conversion. Folks may see and hear Jesus in us, and be drawn to discover more about Him; but until they see and hear Him by His own Word, they will not believe.

                             ³⁹Many of those who
came to Him from the city, when they heard
the testimony of the woman’s word,
believed in Him, because she told them, “He
all I have ever done has told to me.”
⁴⁰So the Samaritans, when they had come
to Him, urged Him to stay among them some
few days; and He remained there two days.

- John 4.39, 40

Reflect
1. When did the people of Sychar come out to see Jesus? If all you did this week in your Personal Mission Field was what that woman did in hers, what would you be doing?  Complete this prayer: You have sent me to certain people, Lord. Help me to…

2.  Suppose someone should respond positively to your witness, and perhaps begin to feel drawn to Jesus. What would you do to help that person come into direct contact with Him, like these people from Sychar were trying to do? I need to be prepared, Lord, for people to want to learn about You. Teach me how…

3.  This woman testified about her experience of Jesus, and what she knew of Him. But she also invited or challenged the people of her village to come see for themselves (cf. v. 29). In a brief outline, jot down what you know about Jesus, what you might testify of your experience of Him, and how you would invite or challenge someone to have a look for themselves. I know I need to be ready like that Samaritan woman to…

4.  Remember: Samaritans and Jews had no dealings with one another. But look how the people of Sychar responded to Jesus. Is it reasonable to expect that people today might be more open to Jesus than we think? That they might be more interested in talking about Him than we suppose? Explain. Lord, don’t let me prejudge the people to whom You have sent me. Instead…

5.  Summarize what you think the disciples must have been learning from this whole situation. Bring together your prayers from questions 1-4 into one prayer.

Summary
“John has not written that the Samaritans ‘asked him’ to enter Samaria or to enter the city but ‘to remain with them.’ … In what follows he does not say, ‘And he remained in that city two days’ or ‘he remained in Samaria’ but ‘he remained there,’ that is, with those who asked. For Jesus remains with those who ask, and especially when those who ask him come out of their city and come to Jesus, as if in imitation of Abraham when he obeyed God who said, ‘Go forth out of your country and from your kindred, and out of your father’s house.’” Origen of Alexandria (fl. 200-254 AD)

There is a danger today that many Christians have concluded that the fields are not white unto harvest, that people are not open to hearing about Jesus, and that it’s no use sowing the Word of Christ into their lives. If they’re interested in Jesus, they’ll come to our church. How does Jesus’ experience and teaching at Sychar rebut these ideas?

Closing Prayer
You visit the earth and water it,
You greatly enrich it;
The river of God is full of water;
You provide their grain,
For so You have prepared it.
You water its ridges abundantly,
You settle its furrows;
You make it soft with showers,
You bless its growth.
You crown the year with Your goodness,
And Your paths drip with abundance.
They drop on the pastures of the wilderness,
And the little hills rejoice on every side.
The pastures are clothed with flocks;
The valleys also are covered with grain;
They shout for joy, they also sing.

Psalm 65.9-13

Psalm 65.9-13, 4 (Moody: Marvelous Grace of Our Loving Lord)
You cause Your blessings to overflow; training the ground, You make the grain grow.
Greatly enriched by Your sovereign grace, waters of blessing fill every place!
    Blessed are all who chosen by You in Your courts shall dwell.
    Keep us near You, and let Your goodness content us well.

Glorious rain fills each ridge and row; showers of blessing rich You bestow.
You have the year with Your bounty crowned; wealth in abundance drips all around!
    Blessed are all who chosen by You in Your courts shall dwell.
    Keep us near You, and let Your goodness content us well.

Pastures abound in the wilderness; girded with joy, the hillsides You bless.
Meadows and valleys with joy shall sing as You their flocks and their harvests bring!
    Blessed are all who chosen by You in Your courts shall dwell.
    Keep us near You, and let Your goodness content us well.

T. M. Moore

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series IV a and b: John, edited by Joel C. Elowsky, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006. Verse translation of John by T. M. Moore.