Day 76 — A Testimony That Points Beyond Itself

Day 76 · Making Christ Known · John 4:27-42 (NET2)

The Samaritan woman tells others about her encounter with Jesus and invites them to consider him. Many come, and their confidence grows as they hear him themselves. Her testimony is a beginning, not the final focus. Jesus also teaches the disciples to see the harvest and recognize work others have done. We can share honestly and trust him to work beyond our own contribution.

Request

Jesus, use my words to help others hear you for themselves. Amen.

Read

John 4:27-42

²⁷ Now at that very moment his disciples came back. They were shocked because he was speaking with a woman. However, no one said, “What do you want?” or “Why are you speaking with her?” ²⁸ Then the woman left her water jar, went off into the town and said to the people, ²⁹ “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Surely he can’t be the Messiah, can he?” ³⁰ So they left the town and began coming to him.

³¹ Meanwhile the disciples were urging him, “Rabbi, eat something.” ³² But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you know nothing about.” ³³ So the disciples began to say to one another, “No one brought him anything to eat, did they?” ³⁴ Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of the one who sent me and to complete his work. ³⁵ Don’t you say, ‘There are four more months and then comes the harvest?’ I tell you, look up and see that the fields are already white for harvest! ³⁶ The one who reaps receives pay and gathers fruit for eternal life, so that the one who sows and the one who reaps can rejoice together. ³⁷ For in this instance the saying is true, ‘One sows and another reaps.’ ³⁸ I sent you to reap what you did not work for; others have labored and you have entered into their labor.”

³⁹ Now many Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the report of the woman who testified, “He told me everything I ever did.” ⁴⁰ So when the Samaritans came to him, they began asking him to stay with them. He stayed there two days, ⁴¹ and because of his word many more believed. ⁴² They said to the woman, “No longer do we believe because of your words, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this one really is the Savior of the world.”

Scripture: NET Bible, Second Edition (NET2).

Reflect

1. How does the people’s response move from the woman’s testimony to hearing Jesus?
2. What could you share honestly about Christ without exaggerating your experience?

Restate

Explain why personal testimony should lead people toward Jesus rather than toward the speaker.

Respond

Let the passage guide your prayer. Use these prompts in your own words:

• Praise: Praise Jesus, the Savior of the world.
• Thanksgiving: Thank him for work already being done in people’s lives.
• Confession: Confess exaggeration or self-focus in speaking about faith.
• Intercession: Pray for someone beginning to investigate Jesus.
• Petition: Ask for honest words and trust in his work.

Carry it into today: Write a brief, truthful account of one way Christ has met you through his truth.