An Effective Witness (John 4:7-26)

John the beloved wrote the gospel of John with one intention, "that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah and that by believing in Him you will have everlasting life" (John 20;30).   It is irresistible however to look at the pattern of how Jesus conversed with the Samaritan to everlasting life.  Let's examine four things that stands out with His conversation with the woman of the well.

• Bridge the natural to spiritual (v. 7-15)
• Speak of contextual repentance (v.16-18)
• Process individuals spiritually (v.19-25)
• End with Jesus (v.26)

Bridge the Natural to Spiritual

Jesus used the physical water as a setting to point the Samaritan woman to a deep discussion of the spiritual water.   

Jesus is a natural apologist because he took the physical realm (water) and argue towards "eternal life."  We see this reasoning with people using the physical elements when he had a deep conversation with his disciples about reaping and harvesting (v. 34-37).  He kept on saying "do you not say..."

When Jesus brought up the water discussion, he didn't end up with a "born again" conclusion.   That born again line of conversation was good for Nicodemus, for this Samaritan woman, the water discussion has to point to the "living water."   

People are not tuned to spiritual things all the time.   It does take a transitional conversation to get to the most important discussion.   

Consider the people that are around you.   What areas would they have openness to discuss?  And in what way can you bridge to that to the spiritual.   

Speak of Contextual Repentance

The bible tells us that we are all sinners and that apart from a savior, we will never have eternal life.   While that thought is a common pill to swallow among Christians, it is not so on others.   In fact, more than not, people i witness to grow a blank stare when i tell them that "all have sinned."  However, genuine repentance requires that one would see sin as a problem. 

Jesus' conversation with the Samaritan woman focused on her immoral life.  Jesus shied away from the generalities and decided to immediately focused on what communicates effectively to the woman.   "Go call your husband and come back."   In no time, the woman was faced of her shame and guilt, a necessary place to realize that one needs a deliverer. 

My wife was talking to a friend and it spiraled to a "sharing Jesus" conversation.  The man seem to be open because he revealed to her how he would come home drunk and leave the house early just to avoid issues at home.   My wife felt a sense of dissatisfaction.   If that were me, i may have immediately dove in and said, and that is "sin" and you need to "turn away from that."   My wife however was clever enough to follow Jesus' example.   She continued with this one phrase that eventually led to a moment of silence, "wouldn't you want a different life?"  That one phrase gave an opening for my wife to engage with him and help him understand what repentance would look like in his life. 

There's a place to say to people that "all have sinned."  I also firmly believe that people somehow get the real meaning of that.  There are instances however where we need to challenge repentance in a contextual way.

Process Individuals Spiritually

I get thrilled when in an instance, people acknowledge their need of a Savior.   I have seen that before and will never question that there are people ripe for the kingdom harvest.   However, Jesus' conversation with the woman reminded us that we need to be patient to address people's issue on spiritual things.  

To this woman, the spiritual worship or the worship in temple is an issue.   Jesus' interestingly did not say, let me answer your concerns after i tell you this most important news.   He knew and understood that this will be a hurdle for further spiritual engagement.   

Patience is needed.   Spiritual transformation is what it is, "transformation" and it requires that we understand there is a process behind all these.   Jesus was gradually walking the woman one step at a time closer to Him.  Many of those whom we engage with need a patient-Jesus-witness.  Don't sell to the idea that i just got to see this person get saved.   Sometimes, it is more fruitful to deal with peoples' issues immediately especially if it will give clarity to the gospel message.  

End With Jesus

No matter how long or how short the conversation maybe, always end with Jesus.   Jesus finally said to the woman, in recognition of the coming Messiah, "I who speak to you am he."

Some conversations end up with "join our group" or "come to our church."  Appropriately, this has their own place, but true repentance points to a personal relationship with Jesus alone.   It is only Gospel presentation when you speak of Jesus, what he did on the cross and how he was raised from the dead.

Not all witnessing conversation have desirable results.   But think of it this way, Jesus calls you to be an effective witness and fulfill a role that will draw people to Him.  

Prayer:  My heavenly Father, help me to be like Jesus who took the time to speak to the Samaritan Woman.   I pray for my own encounters today that I will be sensitive to elevate conversations from a natural world conversation to a spiritual conversation, be sensitive to call for repentance, be sensitive to the process and to bring about Jesus, the only way, the truth and the life.   In His  Name.  Amen.