Savior of The World

John 4:39-42

39 Many Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman's testimony, “He told me all that I ever did”. 40 So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them, and he stayed there two days. 41 And many more believed because of his word. 42 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”.

Notes

The Lord explained to His disciples that His food is to do the will of the Father, and to complete His mission (John 4:34). The ultimate mission was to suffer, die, and rise again. But within the immediate context, it was to engage the Samaritan woman, and the Samaritans from a nearby town. The people believed the woman, then they confirmed their belief after engaging the Lord. Their conclusion was that He is the Savior of the world.

1. Woman tells

   The woman left her water jar by the well because she went to town to tell what happened. The Lord showed that He knew who she was even if they never met before. Many of them believed in Him because of what she said.

   
   39 Many Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman's testimony, “He told me all that I ever did” (John 4:39).
   
   
   

2. Please stay

   The Samaritans initially believed what the Samaritan woman testified. However, after engaging the Lord, the Samaritans believed. No longer simply because of her account, but because of their personal encounter.
   
   40 So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them, and he stayed there two days (John 4:40).
   
   
   

3. Savior of the world

   The Samaritans concluded that He is indeed the Savior of the world. The text revealed that they were not ignorant of the coming Savior. The Old Testament Scriptures foreshadowed and foretold the coming of the Messiah.

   
   41 And many more believed because of his word. 42 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).
   
   
   
   
   
   

Application

1. Share your testimony

   The Samaritan woman narrated to the people of the town about her encounter with the Lord. We should as well, if we understand who He is. He is Christ, the Savior of the world. Why should we narrate our account? Because everyone should meet Him.

   
   
   

2. Engage the word directly

   The people believed because they engaged the Lord directly. They heard His word and they believed His word. Today, we must engage His word and we lead others to engage His word. It is through the reading, study, and explanation of the word.
   

3. Reach the world

   The Samaritans stated that He is the Savior of the world. John wrote in Revelations that He died for people from every tongue, tribe, and nation. Christ is for all peoples. The apostles worked on reaching the world. We should participate in proclaiming Christ all over the world.
   

Reflection & Discussion

1. What was the content of the woman’s narrative? Refer to previous verses.

2. Explain the two events that led the Samaritans to believe.

3. How then may we apply the lessons of the text?