John 4:39-45
“ Many of the Samaritans from that village committed themselves to him because of the woman’s witness: ‘He knew all about the things I did. He knows me inside and out!’ They asked him to stay on, so Jesus stayed two days. A lot more people entrusted their lives to him when they heard what he had to say. They said to the woman, ‘We’re no longer taking this on your say-so. We’ve heard it for ourselves and know it for sure. He’s the Savior of the world!’ After the two days he left for Galilee. Now, Jesus knew well from experience that a prophet is not respected in the place where he grew up. So when he arrived in Galilee, the Galileans welcomed him, but only because they were impressed with what he had done in Jerusalem during the Passover Feast, not that they really had a clue about who he was or what he was up to.”
“ Many Samaritans from the village believed in Jesus because the woman had said, ‘He told me everything I ever did!’ When they came out to see him, they begged him to stay in their village. So he stayed for two days, long enough for many more to hear his message and believe. Then they said to the woman, ‘Now we believe, not just because of what you told us, but because we have heard him ourselves. Now we know that he is indeed the Savior of the world.’ At the end of the two days, Jesus went on to Galilee. He himself had said that a prophet is not honored in his own hometown.”
I am struck by the bookending in these verses. Samaritans responded to Jesus with immediate commitment. Those from his own town did not honor him with the same enthusiasm. Where do I fit in between them?
The Samaritans were ripe for harvest. What of my own heart? Am I ripe for God’s word, every day?
The Galileans had no clue. Their hearts were not hungry for truth, meaning and purpose. May my heart always long for more of him.
Lord, I fear my weakness, that I might fall off your way and lose my yearning for you. Please keep me tuned to you, ripe for harvest, and hungry for all you bring into my life.