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The conversation continued with references to many Bible quotes, psalms, stories. At some point, the story of the Samaritan woman at the well came up and the phrase “Fountains of living water.” I thought I remembered that the woman’s witness had brought many to know Jesus. This morning, I felt called to spend more time with this story found in John, Chapter 4.
As I reread, I noticed several things. First, the woman at the well knew Jesus was different and interesting, but she hesitated to insist he was the Christ: “So the woman left her waterpot and went into the city and said to the people, “Come, see a man who told me all the things that I have done; this is not the Christ, is He? (John 4:29)”
This struck me as a weak “witness”; but then I felt bad about judging her story, because maybe being seen and known and treated with kindness was exactly what she needed and therefore what she received. Wondering about additional details, I kept reading further and found that “many of the Samaritans believed in Him because of the word of the woman who testified, “He told me all the things that I have done.” Through the interaction, she entered into relationship with Jesus, and it brought her back into relationship with the townspeople, who now listened to her. And the townspeople begged Jesus to stay a few days longer. Clearly some change in her had made them curious.
Jesus stayed and after a couple days, the townspeople told the woman, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves and know that this One truly is the Savior of the world.” So, they drew close because of what they heard, but the next step was coming to know Jesus personally. And their witness is quite a bit stronger: “this One truly is the Savior of the world."
I pondered the difference between preaching and witness and realized that witness is personal. The experience is personal. The outcome is personal. I further pondered that there is a difference between knowing about God and knowing God. And those who can witness to knowing God offer inspiration. Those who know Jesus have drunk the living water. It fills them up and at some point, pours forth from them.
And so I pray, “Dear Jesus, Help me to know you. Give me this living water. Let it saturate every cell of my being. Let it overflow and pour forth from me. Let my witness ooze from my pores, and spring forth from my mouth, and inspire others to a personal relationship with you. Amen."
“The water that I will give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up to eternal life.” (John 4:14)
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