An unlikely witness for Jesus

A doable but challenging task

Christianity, like all other worldviews, claims to be true. It presents a way of living that makes sense, or as someone said “a life worth living.” Christianity is not unique in this sense because all worldviews try to present “a life worth living.” Moreover, Christians cannot but speak and tell others about their faith. They know that it works, at least for them.

Furthermore, Jesus gave the mandate to go and tell everyone about the good news. This includes their friends, fellow students, and wherever God has placed them. But how can I reach my friends and the world around me? It seems a daunting task.

In this post, we will have a look at how a woman became a successful communicator.

A successful woman communicator

In the gospel of John chapter 4, we read about a woman. Yes, she was an outcast and therefore a lonely person. But she also was well-informed about the latest interpretations of her society on matters of truth and meaning in life. This woman was dissatisfied with the life she was living. She knew that there is more to life than this. Moreover, she was thirsty for love and justice. Plus, she was continuously thinking and hoping about a new and better way forward, a new and better society where love for God and our neighbour would be a reality, not just a dream. Finally, she had enough time to think, she was after all forced to be a loner. Let’s have a look at how she finally became a successful and bold witness for Jesus.

Wonder inspired by an encounter with a stranger

Little did she know that something really big was waiting for her that day. She was about to have the most amazing encounter. This encounter was with Jesus, who in the gospel of John is described as God in the flesh. Meeting with the Messiah was not a small thing. It filled her heart with a real sense of wonder! She left her jar and ran to the city and boldly and unashamedly proclaimed what she had experienced. We should never lose that wonder! Have you lost the wonder?

Witness inspired by truth

We also see that she was inspired by truth! Jesus knew the reality of her brokenness and situation. He knows your reality as well. Jesus is not only interested in nice conversations about reality and truth. He comes uncomfortably close to us and reveals our true condition. Someone said that “Jesus disturbs the comfortable and comforts the disturbed.” But his main reason to disturb you is to comfort you.

Moreover, the woman was amazed that Jesus was knowledgeable and spoke truth related to the world around them. He had a good grasp of the actual history of the place and its different religious and political interpretations. But more than this, he was able to give the true meaning, to explain the true essence of what faith in God really means. Truth was coming to this woman from different directions. The truth about herself, about her peoples’ history, and about real worship. Truth that corresponded to reality like nothing else she knew before. It was an encounter with truth in the person of Jesus. Jesus is the truth! A truth that is supported by the Old Testament prophesies.

Worship that satisfies the deepest desires of the human heart

Jesus then explained what true worship means. It is a person-to-person encounter with the living God. It is worship in spirit and in truth. They would no longer worship in a particular place. A time was coming when worship would be done in many different places. Not only in one or two particular places. But in the whole world. Later in our passage, the men who came to faith testified that Jesus is “the saviour of the world,” not only a tribal deity limited in one or two places. But the saviour of the whole world!

Nothing but true worship can satisfy the deepest longings of the human heart. This reminds us of C.S.Lewis’ argument from desire. For the woman at the well, the deepest longings of her heart were satisfied. She was able to drink living water because of her encounter with Jesus. We were made to be worshipers. This should be our first priority. This will keep you going in good and not so good times. It will also make you a good witness of Jesus Christ. You cannot give what you don’t have.

Fulfilment by doing God’s will

Finally, Jesus replied to the disciples by saying that “my food is to do the will of him who sent me.” Living in the will of God satisfies! It is like being in our element, just like a fish is in the water of its own element. When Jesus said these words he was also partly referring to the conversation he had with this woman. He was evangelizing, witnessing about the truth. Bringing people to Jesus satisfies! It is a clear mandate, go and make disciples of all nations! The harvest is ready. People are hungry for reality! It is a hunger that only Jesus can satisfy. By going we experience a sense of satisfaction.

This woman became one of the most successful witnesses for Jesus Christ. What are the one or two things that appeal most to you from her story? Take a few moments to reflect on the following questions.

Reflections

• Are you satisfied with the life you are living?
• Are you a true worshipper?
• Are you living in the will of God?
• Are you witnessing for Jesus?
• Have you lost the wonder?
• Have you had an encounter with Jesus and his claims?
• What is God saying to you through this story?

Feel free to leave a reply, I will be happy to hear from you.

Notes

• The Gospel of John, chapter 4:1-42.
• Proofreading Dan Truitt.