Lenten Reader | Day 20
We Have Heard
Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I ever did.” So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days. And because of his words many more became believers.
They said to the woman, “We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world.”
John 4:39-42
They said to the woman, “We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world.”
John 4:39-42
Late last fall, I decided that I needed to try ramen – a Japanese noodle dish served in broth. I had learned about it on the Food Network. Then I saw posts about ramen on social media, and I was intrigued. I believed, from the descriptions and testimonials of others, that ramen would be something I would very much enjoy, and I wanted to try it.
So a couple of weeks ago, I went to a ramen specific restaurant to try it for the very first time. And just like I believed I would, I loved it. My personal experience confirmed what I believed.
John tells us that “many of the Samaritans believed in him because of the woman’s testimony” (4:39). The Samaritans that believed only knew what they knew because of what the woman told them. A woman who, because of her lifestyle, did not garner the respect of others. How enthusiastic she must have been that “many believed” because of her experience and the way she shared that experience!
But then – the Samaritans were able to hear Jesus for themselves. They had their own experience. And they “no longer believe just because of what” (the woman) “said, now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world.”
We can be intrigued by the testimonies of others to the point of belief. But when we experience it for ourselves – we taste the much- anticipated ramen for the first time – we are touched by the love, grace, and mercy of our God. We hear God’s word, and it speaks to our heart. As if He knows everything we ever did and loves us still. Then it becomes our own.
May our testimony be so enthusiastic that it can be used by God to draw others to Himself. And may we all seek to hear God’s voice for ourselves.
Amy Glandon
So a couple of weeks ago, I went to a ramen specific restaurant to try it for the very first time. And just like I believed I would, I loved it. My personal experience confirmed what I believed.
John tells us that “many of the Samaritans believed in him because of the woman’s testimony” (4:39). The Samaritans that believed only knew what they knew because of what the woman told them. A woman who, because of her lifestyle, did not garner the respect of others. How enthusiastic she must have been that “many believed” because of her experience and the way she shared that experience!
But then – the Samaritans were able to hear Jesus for themselves. They had their own experience. And they “no longer believe just because of what” (the woman) “said, now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world.”
We can be intrigued by the testimonies of others to the point of belief. But when we experience it for ourselves – we taste the much- anticipated ramen for the first time – we are touched by the love, grace, and mercy of our God. We hear God’s word, and it speaks to our heart. As if He knows everything we ever did and loves us still. Then it becomes our own.
May our testimony be so enthusiastic that it can be used by God to draw others to Himself. And may we all seek to hear God’s voice for ourselves.
Amy Glandon
Recent
Archive
2024
February
March
Lenten Reader | Day 15Lenten Reader | Day 16Lenten Reader | Day 17Lenten Reader | Day 18Lenten Reader | Day 19Lenten Reader | Day 20Lenten Reader | Day 21Lenten Reader | Day 22Lenten Reader | Day 23Lenten Reader | Day 24Lenten Reader | Day 25Lenten Reader | Day 26Lenten Reader | Day 27Lenten Reader | Day 28Lenten Reader | Day 29Lenten Reader | Day 30Lenten Reader | Day 31Lenten Reader | Day 32Lenten Reader | Day 33Lenten Reader | Day 34Lenten Reader | Day 35Lenten Reader | Day 36Lenten Reader | Day 37Lenten Reader | Day 38Lenten Reader | Day 39Lenten Reader | Day 40Lenten Reader | Easter Sunday
2023
February
March
Lenten Reader | Day 7Lenten Reader | Day 8Lenten Reader | Day 9Lenten Reader | Day 10Second Sunday of LentLenten Reader | Day 11Lenten Reader | Day 12Lenten Reader | Day 13Lenten Reader | Day 14Lenten Reader | Day 15Lenten Reader | Day 16Third Sunday of LentLenten Reader | Day 17Lenten Reader | Day 18Lenten Reader | Day 19Lenten Reader | Day 20Lenten Reader | Day 21Lenten Reader | Day 22Fourth Sunday of LentLenten Reader | Day 23Lenten Reader | Day 24Lenten Reader | Day 25Lenten Reader | Day 26Lenten Reader | Day 27Lenten Reader | Day 28Fifth Sunday of LentLenten Reader | Day 29Lenten Reader | Day 30Lenten Reader | Day 31Lenten Reader | Day 32Lenten Reader | Day 33