John 4:39-54
39 Many Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman's testimony, “He told me all that I ever did.” 40 So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them, and he stayed there two days. 41 And many more believed because of his word. 42 They said to the woman, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world.”
43 After the two days he departed for Galilee. 44 (For Jesus himself had testified that a prophet has no honor in his own hometown.) 45 So when he came to Galilee, the Galileans welcomed him, having seen all that he had done in Jerusalem at the feast. For they too had gone to the feast.
46 So he came again to Cana in Galilee, where he had made the water wine. And at Capernaum there was an official whose son was ill. 47 When this man heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went to him and asked him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death. 48 So Jesus said to him, “Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe.” 49 The official said to him, “Sir, come down before my child dies.” 50 Jesus said to him, “Go; your son will live.” The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and went on his way. 51 As he was going down, his servants met him and told him that his son was recovering. 52 So he asked them the hour when he began to get better, and they said to him, “Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.” 53 The father knew that was the hour when Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live.” And he himself believed, and all his household. 54 This was now the second sign that Jesus did when he had come from Judea to Galilee.
Reflection
The gospel comes to us in order that it might spread from us. Having believed in Jesus, the Samaritan woman went back to her community to share the good news with her family and friends. She invited them to come and see the One who exposed her sin and gave her salvation life (John 4:29, 39, 42). As a result of her testimony, others have listened to Jesus for themselves, recognized him as the Savior of the world, and put their faith in him (v. 42).
Philemon 1-7
1: Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother,To Philemon our beloved fellow worker 2 and Apphia our sister and Archippus our fellow soldier, and the church in your house:
3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
4 I thank my God always when I remember you in my prayers, 5 because I hear of your love and of the faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints, 6 and I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ. 7 For I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you.
Reflection
This opening greeting of Paul is full of thanksgiving and praise for what God has done in Philemon’s life. Because of the work of Christ in his life, Philemon has become not only a “beloved fellow worker” but also a gracious host for the church that was meeting in his home (Philem. 1–2). Paul recognizes this and prays that the love, faith, witness, and hospitality that Philemon has already displayed will continue to grow and bear more fruit (vv. 5–7).
While details are few, it is clear that Philemon’s life has changed radically because of the gospel. He now uses his time, talents, and treasures to serve his new Master, the Lord Jesus Christ, by ministering to others. The “hearts of the saints have been refreshed through” Philemon. This is what the gospel does —the love of Christ flows through us onto others.
Psalm 73:28
28 But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of all your works.
Just as the Samaritan woman shared with others what Jesus had done for her, so we are called to share the good news of Jesus with others. Pray for opportunities and boldness to tell others about who Jesus is and what he has done.