The first Evangelist

"Many Samaritans from that city believed in him because of the woman's testimony..." John 4:39

This Sunday in church, at gospel time, we'll hear a dramatization of the story of the "Woman at the Well" (John 4:5-42) It's a long passage in John, with much dialog (in fact, Jesus speaks to this woman more than he does Peter in the gospel account of John!), so I thought you might enjoy hearing it acted out on tape. The audio comes from the Faith Comes By Hearing bible program (faithcomesbyhearing.com) that we did up in Maine, and I believe you did here at Messiah as well.

It should be a pleasant diversion from our routine, but there's another reason for bringing this program back into the light. And that's its name--Faith comes by hearing. Hearing--faith is transmitted by the lowly means of the human voice. Jesus told the Samaritan woman "everything she had ever done," and taught her concerning living water and spiritual worship. He gave her faith. She then transmitted it--to anyone who would listen! In fact she is called the "first evangelist" for her efforts.

Imagine if all of us were so open with our faith! If we told everyone we knew what Jesus has done for us. That's the way faith is passed on--orally by someone telling and someone hearing. Not that you should carry a soapbox around with you or preach on the street corner or in front of Walmart. But that you shouldn't let simple opportunities to witness pass by--even innocent routine circumstances like getting water from the well--or its modern day equivalent--standing around the water cooler (do people still do that in this age of bottled water?).

Be aware and when an opportunity arises, insert God into the conversation. People want to hear about God--statistics prove it. Why shouldn't they hear about him from you?

Oh God, help us to be willing witnesses to your story in our lives. Amen