Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Evangelism (11/01/07)
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TITLE: The Roots of Evangelism | Previous Challenge Entry
By Jerry Johnson
11/02/07 -
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Jesus and his disciples were returning from Jerusalem to Galilee. It was midday and they were tired from the morning’s journey. They stopped at Jacob’s well near the village of Sychar.
Jesus spoke to Peter, “You go into the village and buy some food. I will rest here for a while.”
“Buy food here in Samaria?” Peter questioned, surprised because Samaritans usually would not do business with Jews.
“Just do as I say,” Jesus replied.
Peter and the other disciples took the narrow pathway down to the village. Jesus sat down near the well. The ground was scattered with broken pottery.
“Will they sell to us?“ Andrew asked as they walked down the hill.
“It’s the same Roman money, even though it has been touched by a Jew,” Peter replied. “We may see some resistance, but let us just do what the Master says.”
As they walked down the narrow pathway to the village, a woman squeezed by carrying a large jar and a rope.
Peter and Andrew looked back as she passed. “A woman drawing water this time of day?” Peter queried. “She must be a shamed woman who can’t come in the morning when the other women come.”
“Maybe her husband just woke up and wanted some fresh water,” Andrew argued, laughing.
They continued downhill to the village. To their surprise the merchants were cordial and willing to sell them what they needed.
As they headed back to the well, they saw in the distance Jesus helping the woman lift the full water jar out of the well. She was a small woman and the jar was heavy, swaying on the rope as they lifted it. They were laughing and talking. After they set the water jar on the ground, they continued what appeared to be a lively conversation. The woman asked questions, Jesus replied, and the woman laughed.
As the neared the well, the woman ran past them joyously. “I know he is the Messiah! He told me everything I ever did,” she was saying, repeatedly.
When they reached the well, they found Jesus sitting near the jar, dipping out cups of the cold water and giving them to some children who were playing near the well.
“Look. We have water,” he said . “Did you get the bread?”
They all sat down. Jesus gave thanks for the food. As they were eating, the disciples noticed that Jesus was just gazing down toward the village I deep thought, ignoring the food.
“Aren’t you going to eat?” Peter questioned. “The bread is fresh and the water is cold.”
Jesus gave an unexpected reply. “I have food that you know nothing about.”
Peter was puzzled. “Did that woman give you something?” he asked.
“No I gave here something, and she will never be the same again,” Jesus answered. “My food is to do the will of my Father. Just look out there!” He stretched his hand toward the hillsides. “There are people here who will hear us. Someone else came before us and prepared the fields for us, and now it is time to reap what he sowed. As the scripture says, ‘One man sows and another reaps.’ Let us stay here for a while.”
Peter paused and pondered these words. After the apathy they had seen in Galilee and the hostility in Jerusalem, he found it a joy to be around people who were hungry for the good news.
As they finished their meal, a small crowd of people came running up the hill, led by the woman.
“Listen to the Master!” she was shouting. “I know he is the Messiah! Salvation has come to us!”
At the urging of the people, Jesus and the disciples stayed there two days and preached the gospel. Many people there became believers.
This is the beginning of evangelism. It usually occurs in two stages, the planting and the reaping. The planting is often tedious and seemingly unrewarding, because the planter must remove the thorns and stones to prepare the ground. If the planting is successful, the harvest should be joyful. Blessed are both the sower and the reaper.
The disciples returned to Galilee, where they found the people much more receptive than before. Later, when they returned to Jerusalem, they were met with open arms and celebration.
The psalmist says, “He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.” (Psalm 126:6, KJV)
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