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About Jesus - Steve Sweetman Previous Section - Chapter 4:27 - 39 Next Section - Chapter 4:39 -54 Many
Samaritans Believe
(ch. 4:39-42) In
verse 39 John tells us that those Samaritans that came to see Jesus with
the lady believed in Him.
They were convinced because of the fact that Jesus had known
supernaturally things about this woman that He would not have normally
known.
This miracle was truly a sign post that led these people to
Jesus. We
should note that John uses the word 'believe" concerning these
Samaritans.
They came to believe in Jesus.
As I have stated many times before, the word believe in New
Testament times meant something much different than it does today.
Today it simply means to give mental ascent to, or acknowledge,
the truth of something, or, to agree with something.
The New Testament's concept of believe means to "give ones
life to the truth."
There is a vast difference between our definition and the New
Testament’s definition.
With
this in mind, I wonder if these people actually gave themselves to Jesus
whole heartedly.
That is, one hundred percent of themselves.
I would answer no to that question.
They gave themselves to Jesus with the limited understanding that
they had.
Therefore, it is important to understand that our giving
ourselves to Jesus is often determined on our understanding of things.
Another thought concerning this is that we may verbalize that we
have given all to Jesus, but in reality, this giving is a work in
progress.
These people began their life with Jesus, began believing in Him,
understanding that the working out of this belief takes time and is a
growing process.
And really, at this stage in history, the Holy Spirit had not yet
been given to humanity.
They could not have fully given themselves to Jesus if they
wanted. Verses
40 and 41 simply tell us that because of the Samaritan's request to
Jesus, Jesus stayed with them two days.
As result many more of these people became believers.
Knowing when to stay and when to leave I believe was important to
Jesus.
I believe He heard the Father's will on this matter.
I have always maintained that Jesus, and God, has a time table of
events.
They do not do anything apart from their time table. Verse
42 is interesting.
John says that once these Samaritans came to Jesus and heard for
themselves they took another step in believing.
John says that they did not only believe because of what they
heard the woman say but because what they heard Jesus Himself say.
This is a great truth.
Many can believe because of our witness, but sooner or later they
need to believe because of themselves meeting Jesus in person.
We
also note from these people that believing can be a process.
It's starts with mental assent, or acknowledgment of the truth,
but, sooner or later, mental assent must become trust.
It
is also interesting that these people believed that Jesus was the
Saviour of the world, not just the Jews.
I wonder why and how they’d think that He was Saviour of the
world.
My guess is that because these people were Samaritans, not Jews.
If Jesus was willing to save them, then He was willing to save
the world.
He was willing to save all people groups of the world.
Next Section - Chapter 4:39 -54 Previous Section - Chapter 4:27 - 39
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