4:39-45[HCSB])

39 Now many Samaritans from that town believed in Him because of what the woman said when she testified, “He told me everything I ever did.”

40 Therefore, when the Samaritans came to Him, they asked Him to stay with them, and He stayed there two days.

41 Many more believed because of what He said.

42 And they told the woman, “We no longer believe because of what you said, for we have heard for ourselves and know that this really is the Savior of the world.”

43 After two days He left there for Galilee. 44 Jesus Himself testified that a prophet has no honor in his own country.

45 When they entered Galilee, the Galileans welcomed Him because they had seen everything He did in Jerusalem during the festival. For they also had gone to the festival.

Hearing for ourselves

Ican’t say often enough how important it is to hear the voice of Jesus in our own hearts. We can hear others preach and teach, but until we know Him, and hear Him speak, real change doesn’t take place.

When our hearts are convicted, and Jesus speaks to us in the Spirit of salvation, we hear His words and feel His calling in a brand new way. I think what the other Samaritans heard was that “still small voice” that fills up our souls with passion and purpose, and a new-found conscience. In sacred terms we call this conviction. Yes, a response to God’s voice is where “the peace that passes all understanding” takes root. Though all will hear His voice, few will take Him to heart.

Part two of this passage is particularly interesting because of its traditional meaning: it maintains the theme of the maligned prophet.

Jesus refers broadly to prophets not being accepted historically by Israel because what they generally had to say was convicting and foreboding. Rarely does one like to hear difficult truths. Thematically Matthew 13:57 and Luke 4:24 expand on this. It becomes clear when we consider that those of us who have been saved may return to our own hometowns and families as “unwanted prophets.” Suppose our personal credibility is tainted because of what people think we are (or were) rather than the individuals we have become? It always goes to credibility.

Consider that Jesus was not simply distasteful and inconvenient to the Jews, but actually offended the people He preached to. Luke tells us that those gathered in the synagogue at Nazareth tried to throw Him off a cliff, but could not; Jesus walked back through the crowd unable to be touched. When we do what is unconventional it may not be accepted at first; in fact those we are trying to help may turn against us. Remember the cross …