Read John 4:39–54
There’s a big difference between knowing about someone, and meeting that someone face-to-face. When you know about someone, your understanding is limited to second-hand reports and intangible ideas. Maybe those reports are accurate, but you don’t have personal knowledge and experience about whether they are or not. You have to rely on the trustworthiness of the reporter. In contrast, when you’ve met someone personally, you can be confident in what you know about them. Maybe you’ve just heard they are kind and compassionate, but once you’ve seen them in action, stopping what they’re doing to help someone they don’t know, you can know for sure they are kind.
In this passage, we see two different encounters in which people had heard about Jesus but now met him face to-face. The Samaritans say that, while the woman’s testimony was helpful, it was nothing compared to meeting and hearing from the Messiah Himself. Those who already believed were confirmed in their belief, and many skeptics of the woman became believers. The second encounter (with the royal official) involves two different types of belief. In verse 50, John says the official believed what Jesus said. Later in verse 53, it says the official believed when he heard that his son lived because of what Jesus said.
So, assuming you are a follower of Jesus, why do you believe in Him? Is it because you’ve heard about a man who lived and spoke 2,000 years ago? Or have you had the reports confirmed by your personal experience with Him? Have you seen His Spirit work in your life? Not everyone will see and experience miraculous healings, speaking in tongues, or dramatic conversion stories, but everyone who believes in Him will experience hope for the future, peace in the present, and maturity from their past because of the presence of His Spirit.
Begin praying with Psalm 25:14:
“The secret counsel of the LORD
is for those who fear him,
and he reveals his covenant to them.”