So there were many from the Samaritan village who became believers in Jesus because of the woman’s testimony: “He told me everything I ever did!”
John 4:39 TPT
The testimony of one can change a heart, a village, a nation.
Testimony: the affirmation of a personal occurrence that has taken place in one’s life, the public recounting of a godly conversion, a heart change - through an encounter with Christ.
One Woman’s Testimony
A Samaritan woman gave testimony to the personal encounter she experienced with the Messiah, Jesus Christ, and many of that city believed in Him because of the words of one woman. A woman, a Samaritan no less, for the Jews did not have any dealings with the people of Samaria. Yet, God crossed the cultural divide to converse with her at the well. Not only was she a woman, and from an objectionable city, but she also embraced a promiscuous lifestyle. Nonetheless, Jesus stepped into her world, and offered her living water, that she would never thirst again. He spoke of her lifestyle, then testified, “I Am the Christ.” At this, the woman left the well she knew, and went to the city to proclaim the living water of the Messiah. “Come and see a Man who told me all the things that I ever did. Could this be the Christ?” (John 4:29 NKJV) And the people came to Him. Many of them believed because of one woman’s testimony of her encounter with Jesus.
A Prophetic Stream
The well was named Jacob’s well after the Biblical patriarch of the Old Testament, Jacob. His name is even documented as part of the genealogy of the Messiah in the book of Matthew. (Matthew 1:2 NKJV) He is known as a man that wrestled with God. Jacob, contending for the blessing, was relentless in his pursuit to be blessed. The One with whom he wrestled said,” Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed.” (Genesis 32:28 NKJV)
A prophetic stream flows from this Old Testament account to the New Testimony of Christ. The Messiah came to the well of Israel to provide living water to the nation. The Hope of Israel, God’s spring of salvation, spills into the picture of the well called Jacob.
A Cleansing Flow
The living water the woman found at the well that day, washed away the stain of sin that had marked her unclean. A cleansing flow purged all shame, guilt, sadness, defilement, every label - gone - through her encounter with Jesus. No longer was she identified by her record of wrong; instead, she was now identified by her time with Jesus. What a day she had! She experienced a moment of transformation by the Savior’s grace, as she drank of His living water. She found the Messiah, or should I say, the Messiah found her. Bursting with life, she chose to testify…” Look! Look what this man, the Messiah, has done!” The freedom she found in Christ that day, turned her life around. She was no longer identified by her sin, but by her encounter with God - a new born messenger of the Master’s glory gushed forth.
The Lord, knowing her thirst for salvation, offered her living water.
Isn’t that true of us all?
Isn’t that why He came?
He brings life, to transform the stagnate waters of sin into springs eternal.
Can You Imagine
Envision standing at the well. Our sin known by God, yet He chooses to converse with us. Though He knows all we have done, He does not cast upon us the waters of condemnation. He offers living water. Life everlasting! Granting grace to those that come. Our time with Him refreshes us. As our spirit drinks in the living water of God, we are transformed. Once we take Him in, who can contain His glory? By the presence of His Spirit in us, we are compelled to pour out our testimony to others, that they may drink of His living water as well.
Who could imagine that such a woman of ignoble character might be used by such a noble God? One person’s testimony, changed the lives of many. Still, even today, her account is given.
The testimony of one - can you imagine - that one is you?
For, if we have met Christ, we have a testimony!
Prayer
Lord Jesus,
I have struggled with You, contending for Your blessing. I realize now, in Christ, Your blessing is already mine. Let this realization flood my soul with peace as the dam of my inner struggle breaks.
I now ask, that You would step into my world. I long to meet You at the well of my life, and drink of Your living water. You know me. You know all I have done. With a repentant heart, I ask You to come.
I choose to drink You in. I thirst for You. Fill me, O God. Flood me with Your presence that I can’t contain it. May Your goodness spill from my life to those around me. I long to be a messenger of the Master’s glory pouring out hope to others - The Hope of Israel.
I believe that through the testimony of one, others will follow, and drink of salvation.
Wash over me, Lord.
Purify me of any selfish praise. May all I say be to Your glory as a true worshipper of Jehovah. Impart unto me courage, strength, and humility to testify of You, the Messiah, to this dry and thirsty land.
Yeshua, Christ Jesus, truly is the testimony of One.
Amen!
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