The Power of the Encounter

The woman Jesus encountered at Jacob's Well in the heat of overhead sun had quite a story to tell when the noisy bunch of disciples  returned from their shopping trip to the local grocery store.  Their arrival brought an abrupt end to her life changing conversation with Jesus.  The Word speaks about that moment by saying, "Then the woman left her water jar and went back to the city.  She said to the people, 'Come and see a man who told me everything I have ever done.' "  (John 4:28-29)  There it is again.  Once again that gentle invitation, "Come and see" is hanging in the air for those who might have interest, curiosity, or spiritual hunger.   

There is no doubt that many responded to the invitation.  The story does not speak of a revival, but what happened seems to have happened in revival like fashion.  When people heard the woman to whom they had never given the time of the day, "They left the city and were on their way to Him."  (John 4:30)   And later the story tells us more as it says, "Many Samaritans from the city believed in Him because of the woman's testimony..."  (John 4:39)  So eager were they for more, Jesus stayed two more days.    Certainly, it was long enough for John to get the details of the story and certainly it was long enough for many lives to be changed by their own personal encounter with Jesus.    

One of the things which has gotten watered down by the church of our day is the power of a personal encounter with Jesus.  There was a time when good preaching was measured in large part by its persuasive power, people were invited to consider their own acts of "Come and see,"   and sermons were not filled with ambiguities.  The Apostle who wrote the gospel of John had in mind from the very beginning to present a word which would challenge those who read it to believe.  For John the issue was believing, or not believing.  There was no other option.  (John 20:31)