See for Yourself

John 4:42 And said they unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world.

I read this morning about the woman at the well. In the first verse of chapter four, Jesus is aware that the Pharisees are comparing His ministry with John's. They see that Jesus is baptizing more disciples than John. When did they take opposing sides? When did it become a competition? In verse 3, Jesus departs to Galilee, but He goes through Samaria. It is there that He saves the woman at the well, along with the many people she witnesses to.

I am so tired of the "comparing" game. I'm so tired of preachers making the ministry all about themselves. We are all on the same side: Jesus' side! We recently heard of a church that is hosting a preaching conference that is all about the memory of a dead preacher. What happened to making Christ the center of life, of service, of everything? As frustrating as the "comparers" are, it's best to just stay focused on the work He's given me. After all, Jesus didn't attack the Pharisees and line them out. He departed and gave living water to a very needy woman. When comparisons start, or criticisms come, we can't stop and take on those causes. We need to get busy,  we need to "depart", if you will, and think about those whom have never met our Savior!

I loved the verse above, where it tells us that the people the woman at the well witnessed to believed because they met Christ. We need to tell others about the Lord, but only they can experience Him for themselves. We can't force Him down someone's throat. But, if they talk to Him, if they listen to Him, they will never be the same. They will believe, because He is wonderful! It makes me think of the verse in Psalm 34:8  O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.

Have you met Him? If you have, you know He is good, because you've heard and seen Him through faith for yourself.