Spreading The News

Spreading the News

John 4:27-30, NLT

Just then his disciples came back. They were shocked to find him talking to a woman, but none of them had the nerve to ask, “What do you want with her?” or “Why are you talking to her?” 28The woman left her water jar beside the well and ran back to the village, telling everyone, 29“Come and see a man who told me everything I ever did! Could he possibly be the Messiah?” 30So the people came streaming from the village to see him.

Setting the Scene

The disciples had been following Jesus just a short time. Every day they were learning more about their leader and his mission. Seeing Jesus break two cultural taboos (speaking with a Samaritan and speaking with a female stranger) must have confused them. If they had been at the well a bit earlier to hear the discussion, they would have been even more shocked to learn that this was a woman of questionable reputation. They must have thought Jesus knew what he was doing, however, because no one questioned his actions or motives. The disciples did witness what happened next, though.

The woman abruptly left her water jug at the well, ran into town, and told everyone about the man she had just met. This man was different. He knew her, and instead of judging and rejecting her, he offered her real life.

People followed the woman back to meet this intriguing stranger. Knowing the woman’s moral history, they may have come to see someone who “told [her] everything [she] ever did.” Some may have come simply because of the woman’s enthusiasm.

The woman had dropped everything to spread the news about Jesus. She had come to an out-of-the-way well in the middle of the day to avoid embarrassing contact with those who knew her history. But after meeting Jesus, she didn’t care who met her. She sought out people and told everyone about what had happened. Her message was personal: “Come meet the one who has changed my life!”

Getting Personal

What part of your personal history would you like to keep hidden?

In what ways are you different because you met Jesus?

Who needs to know your story about meeting Jesus?

We have the advantage of knowing what transpired soon after this meeting at the well. We know about the Cross and Resurrection. We know Jesus truly is the Christ, the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6). And we have the advantage of knowing that for two thousand years, millions of lives (partakers of the “living water”) have been changed by God’s Spirit. With the energy and urgency of this unnamed Samaritan woman, we could change the world.

Talking to God

Remember the many ways God has changed and blessed your life, and take time to thank him for each remembered circumstance. Ask God to restore your enthusiasm for the message of his living water.