The Pharisees were hearing about the large number of followers Jesus was gaining and were being baptized and at this time in His ministry Jesus did not want to be involved in a controversy over this matter so He decided to go to Galilee. The regular way of travel was to go through Jericho and across the Jordan River, then north until they had bypassed the land of Samaria and once again cross the Jordan and on to Galilee. This took about six or seven days. The shorter way, which took about three days, was straight through Samaria.

Jesus, knowing the Fathers will that salvation was for all people, had to go through Samaria. On the way they came to a fork in the road and a special well, Jacob's Well. The disciple went ahead to purchase food and while Jesus rested, a woman came to the well to get water. There, Jesus shared Himself with her and she realized He was the Messiah and left to tell others of her experience. After hearing her testimony the men of the city came to Jesus. This incident in our text teaches us several things about Christ and Christianity.

1. Christ's Priority should be our priority:

   John 4:34-35 "My food," said Jesus, "is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work. Do you not say, 'Four months more and then the harvest'? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest." Food is a necessity of life but Jesus new the first priority, the Fathers will. The Father's will was what Jesus said to His disciples before leaving the earth. To teach and preach the good news to every creature. This was why Christ came and that took precedent to everything else in life. If the Spirit that was in Christ is the same Spirit that indwells every believer, why is that not our first priority. I'm not talking about pastor's for they are called to a specific calling. I am speaking about Christians in general. We have a tendency to put the Father's will second to what we have to do! What is your priority?
   He also said and I am paraphrasing, "Don't put off till later what must be done today." All those men from the city had come and had heard about Messiah. The seed had already been planted. He motioned with His hands, "Look. they are ripe for the harvest." The Word of God has already been planted. What are we waiting for?

2. There must be INTRODUCTION: (v.39)

   A believer must tell another what Christ has done for him/her, personally. Rom 10:14-15 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" Paul is not talking about pastor's or our view of preachers. He is talking about believer's proclaiming Christ to others.
   Notice the Samaritan woman did not quote a long list of verses, theory or religious rhetoric. She simply shared what Christ had done for her, personally. Her testimony must have been dynamic because all the men of the city came to Jesus.

   He has no hands but our hands to do His work today,
   He has no feet but our feet to lead men in the way,
   He has no voice but our voice to tell them how He died,
   He has no help but our help to lead them to His side.

   There must be introduction. It is our precious privilege and responsibility to bring men to Christ. An introduction cannot be made unless someone makes it. We avoid our responsibility when all we do is invite people to a church service. The introduction is based on the strength of personal witness. The church expands itself only when men and women themselves experience the love and power of Christ and then transmit that experience to others.

3. There must be INTIMACY & KNOWLEDGE: (v.40)

   Once the Samaritans had been introduced to Christ, they sought His company. They asked Him to stay with them and got to know Him better. The scripture teaches us that we are "to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ." It is true, we must be introduced to Christ but it doesn't stop there as many would think. We must also seek to live in His presence daily. The more we get to know Him the greater our witness to His resurrection.

   Someone may lead you to the friendship of Christ but you must claim and enjoy that friendship yourself. You may be introduced to someone, but unless you get to know that individual, he/she remains only an acquaintance.
   Have you been getting to know Jesus Christ or just what your denominational beliefs are? How much time do you spend in His presence?

4. There must be DISCOVERY & SURRENDER: (vs. 41-42)

   After spending time with Jesus, the Samaritans discovered the Savior of the world. They fully realized that fact only after they listened to Him and really got to know Him. It is only through complete knowledge of Christ can we really know the love of God and its impact on us, personally.

   Listen to the Apostle Paul as he spoke to the Galatians, Gal 1:15-16 But when God, who set me apart from birth and called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles,... This was an inward revelation to Paul which enabled him to share Christ with others. We have been chosen "before the foundation of the world" and have been called to be, "witnesses unto Him."
   Jesus was not merely a prophet with a message from God. He was not merely an example to show men the way life ought to be lived, He is the LIFE, the WAY. He is the Savior of the world. When we really discover that fact for ourselves, we will indeed surrender ourselves to Him.
   The Samaritans discovered that fact. "They said to the woman, "We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world." Has God revealed Christ inwardly to you? Have you discovered for yourself the Savior of the world?