“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 4:41-42 (ESV)
Imagine, this woman in our verse was a woman of ill-repute who came to the water well at a time when she would not have to encounter any other people. But one day, she did encounter another person, a man. Not just a man but a Jew and she was a Samaritan. In the day, the two did not meet, did not speak, had nothing to do with each other. Jews despised Samaritans because the latter were mixed race, not pure. Part Jew and part Assyrian. Jesus of Nazareth had purposed to be there at that appointed time. He knew everything about the woman. He wanted her to know that He was the promised Messiah. Jesus reveals who He is to this woman who had been married five times and was now living with a man she was not married to. He promises eternal life to her if she will believe. She does and she spreads the news. Many believed first because of her testimony and then because of what Jesus told them. He stayed two days in their town and they believed He was the Savior of the world. He still is and will be forever.
(Read the context in John 4:7-42)
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