02
Believe!
Rod ShimabukuroMany Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman's testimony, “He told me all that I ever did.” So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them, and he stayed there two days. And many more believed because of his word. 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.” John 4:39-42
Jesus said to him, “Go; your son will live.” The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and went on his way. As he was going down, his servants met him and told him that his son was recovering. So he asked them the hour when he began to get better, and they said to him, “Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.” The father knew that was the hour when Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live.” And he himself believed, and all his household. This was now the second sign that Jesus did when he had come from Judea to Galilee. John 4:50-54
It’s sooooooo interesting - the contrasting scenes involving the Samaritan woman, Samaritans and the Gentile Centurion and his household. The Samaritans and the Official and his family were not candidates (according to Jews) to receive the Gospel grace of God. John communicates the love of God for non Jews, through these back to back scenes.
The woman believes, shares with her town her experience with Jesus and they (beginning of faith) believe - sight unseen. John then writes that the Samaritans come to Jesus, hear Him personally and now they “know” that He is Savior. There is a progressive and growing “believing faith.”
In the Official’s case, he believes Jesus after the fact, hearing later of his son’s healing. His family then believes - through the testimony of the son’s father - and probably seeing with their own eye that the boy was healed.
My take away is simple. God extends past the boundaries of my considerations, expectations, and reach of “who believes.” Who believes, how and when, where and why... is for God and God alone to decide, discern and judge.
Sometimes I get caught up in who I want to witness to or disciple or reach...for Jesus. But it’s Jesus who draws people to believe. My heart and hope is that I would be a vessel, through whom God reaches, touches people through.
I also pray that I would have a HEART LIKE JESUS, to share God’s love with whomever - no boundaries, prejudices. Praying that people would experience the miracle working power of Jesus - and grow to BELIEVE in HIM!
Dear Spirit of God - Please draw people to Your Father’s heart...even through me! May I be Your witness to all people You allow me to encounter!
