They said to the woman, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world.” (ESV)

How many times do we form an opinion or belief based on someone else’s experience? Maybe you found a favorite fishing hole and limited in just a short time, so that became your best fishing spot. Others may have heard of your fishing spot, but until they have fished there themselves, they are just believing in your success. What about a new restaurant that has the best food, a recommended book, or a new favorite movie or hike? Friends may rave about their new favorites and say they are the best, but without personal experience, do we really know? Depending on our knowledge of the person making the recommendation, we may have varying levels of buy-in. But everything changes when the experience is your own.

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Such is the Samaritans’ story in our verse today.

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The story of the Samaritan woman is quite familiar. We often focus on the fact that Jesus engages with a Samaritan woman – two taboo encounters in one: Samaritans were despised by the Jews and men and women weren’t supposed to interact outside of marriage. Some religious leaders of Jesus’ day would cross the street to avoid contact with a woman, and yet Jesus engages a Samaritan woman in conversation and proceeds to tell her everything she’d ever done. He knew her – her reputation and her relationships – and none of these were hindrances to engaging in conversation which would lead her to encounter Him in a way that would forever change her.  

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After Jesus talks to the woman, and she begins to believe that He is the Messiah, she runs back town and tells everyone she knows. She was not shy about sharing! John writes that some came out to meet Jesus themselves while “many Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony” (John 4:39).  Some of the Samaritans invited Jesus to stay with them – a small miracle considering the hatred between Samaritans and Jews! So, Jesus and his disciples stayed two days in the city and “many more believed because of his word” (John 4:41).  

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In today’s verse, the Samaritans had the opportunity to hear with their own ears and see with their own eyes – they experienced Jesus. While hearing the testimony of the woman was compelling, they no longer needed to believe based on her experience – they had experienced Jesus for themselves.

When we encounter Jesus on our own, He changes us. It is great to hear about the ways that God is moving around us. He is moving in ACF Church. He is changing hearts and lives. We are encouraged by the testimonies that we hear. But nothing is the same as a personal encounter with Jesus Christ.  

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Jesus wants to meet each of us individually. Thankfully, He does not limit Himself to just a few people and then expect the rest of us to believe based on those limited experiences. He wants us to know Him personally, and He wants to make Himself known to us. Even in our doubts, He is there. When Thomas didn’t believe the word of his fellow disciples, Jesus appeared to him and had him touch his side, saying, “Do not disbelieve, but believe” (John 20:27). Thomas responded with assurance: “My Lord and My God!” (John 20:28). All was changed by an encounter – a personal experience with Jesus.

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So, where are you? Are you doubting? Taking Jesus on the word of a friend? Or have you had a personal encounter with Jesus? Can you say with the Samaritans, “I have heard for [myself] and [I] know this indeed the Savior of the world”? If not, I encourage you this week as we approach Easter to spend some time seeking Jesus. Spend time in the Word. Spend time praying and asking Him to reveal Himself to you. This is time WELL SPENT.  An encounter with Jesus is one you won’t soon forget!

Thank you, Jesus, that you desire to be known. Thank you for speaking to the Samaritan woman when everyone else would have written her off. Her testimony sparked conversions in her town, but it was when the townspeople encountered you for themselves that real transformation occurred. Help us to continue to pursue you individually – that we may be radically changed. Amen.