John 4:39-42

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 4:39-42)

What a turnaround for the Samaritan woman! She could have kept to herself that she had found the Savior. After all, He had seen deep into her soul and knew exactly what her life had been like. It would be one thing to share that intimate knowledge with her Savior, but quite another to then go share her story with the villagers who held her in contempt. But because she was filled with joy after having experienced His compassion and love, she was compelled to tell others.

She did not have a prepared three-point sermon; she could not give exegetical evidence for her faith; but she could give her personal testimony. And the crowd was moved by it. They came to see for themselves. While their curiosity was piqued by what they saw and heard from the women, it was their own personal encounters with Jesus, during His two-day visit, that made many of them believers.

Never underestimate the power of your testimony! Even just your invitation to “come and see” may open the door to another. Who in your neighborhood or office might be just waiting for an invitation? If your coworkers have seen something different in you, they might be open to come to church with you or to join you at your Bible study. What changes in your attitudes might persuade your own family members to check out the Savior?

We can imagine that life was never the same for that woman in Samaria. Many who had previously scorned her would then be eternally grateful to her for transparently sharing her story. I find it interesting that we don’t know her name. We were given Nicodemus’ name, and the name o the disciples, of course, and even the names of several women who followed Jesus. But this one remains “the Samaritan woman.” I don’t suppose she cares, though, because she wasn’t one to seek attention. And she knows that Jesus knows her name. That’s all that matters! And in our era, when everyone seeks his or her fifteen minutes of fame, and when social media make it possible to promote oneself in a big way (Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, etc.), it’s refreshing to read about a woman who, two thousand years ago, just wanted to promote her Savior!