Monday, 2019-10-07

Bible Reference: John 4:39-42
Translation: The Voice (VOICE)

Bible Text: ³⁹ Meanwhile, because one woman shared with her neighbors how Jesus exposed her past and present, the village of Sychar was transformed—many Samaritans heard and believed. ⁴⁰ The Samaritans approached Jesus and repeatedly invited Him to stay with them, so He lingered there for two days on their account. ⁴¹ With the words that came from His mouth, there were many more believing Samaritans. ⁴² They began their faith journey because of the testimony of the woman beside the well; but when they heard for themselves, they were convinced the One they were hearing was and is God’s Anointed, the Liberating King, sent to rescue the entire world.

OBSERVATION: There’s a new song out that my pastor loves, and it contains the lyrics ‘I’m just a nobody, trying to tell everybody, about somebody, who saved my soul‘. Perhaps you might want to listen to the song while reading this devotional, because it declares exactly what this Samaritan woman did after her encounter with Jesus at the well. Meditate with me as we ponder the actions of this woman who was considered a ‘nobody’ by the society of that day, yet how sharing her story impacted ‘everybody’ in her town.

APPLICATION: I was told at a conference by a Disney World official that Disney is considered one of the cleanest parks to visit, because it is expected of every employee that they pick up litter, no matter where they are on the property. Is that the way it is in the Christian arena? Do we all have it in our Christian job description that we are to ‘share with everybody about the somebody who saved our soul‘? The unfortunate thing is that society as a whole have their own preconceived ideas about whose job it is to share Christ with them. And unless they hear that ‘word’ from a qualified and recognized pastor, they will really test and retest what is being shared with them. But regardless of that, let us think about our Bible verses so we could remember the setting. The disciples were convinced that Jesus was the Son of God, and although they may not have realized the full impact of all that meant, they had their preconceived ideas about who He should be hanging around with. However, having left Him alone for just a few minutes, they returned to find Him chatting up and drinking water from a ‘nobody’ – a Samaritan, and Samaritans were generally despised, and considered ‘nobodies’ by the Jews. Additionally, this was a Samaritan ‘woman’, a gender that was always considered only as behind-the-scenes helpers. But to Jesus, this was just a ‘somebody’ who needed to meet and know the great High Priest who could save her soul. This was so mind-blowing for the woman, that Jesus showed His power to help her know that He truly was the Son of God. Now comes the time that the Scripture really draws us in, to more closely examine ourselves. I believe from the very beginning, we could see that we are very much like the Samaritan woman, for we would often say to someone who we know needs the Lord – wait just a minute, let me call my pastor so he could chat with you about my best friend, who I’m sure could help you through your situation. Excuse me dear one, but who do you call on to tell your neighbor about your spouse, or your child? Do you really need to call in the authority to tell someone about the One who saved your soul? The One who assured you that He is the very Son of God? The One who told you that He has prepared a place for you, that when your time here on earth has expired, you will join Him and His Father in your new home in heaven, where you will live in an attitude of praise for ever and for ever? Does it really need someone else to tell that glorious truth for you? The Samaritan woman needed no help, for the words just bubbled forth from her mouth – and many were impacted for the Lord! I believe that you are probably a Brother or a Sister of that dear Samaritan woman, and I believe that she would quickly join me in encouraging you to ‘tell everybody about somebody who saved your soul‘. Dear fiend, there are many around you that are hurting today, and who needs a word of encouragement to help them know that there is hope in knowing that somebody loves them and will welcome them into His kingdom, just like He did for you. Tell somebody today, won’t you?

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank You for this reminder today! You have bless many of my readers and myself with the reassurance of Your love; of the reassurance of our salvation; of the boldness that we need to share Your grace with everybody that we come into contact with today. Please help us to love each other like You fist loved us, and how You continue to love us every day. Please embolden us to help save ‘somebody’ from the destination of Hell into the wonderful light and glory of heaven. Please keep it forefront in our minds that we should make every effort to rescue all those we know and meet, so that no one will be left behind. Heaven is for everyone who believes in the Lord Jesus and accept Him as their precious and loving Savior. That includes everyone we will meet today. May we be busy about Your work loving Lord. AMEN!