vv 40-41 When they came out to see him, they begged him to stay in their village. So he stayed for two days, long enough for many more to hear his message and believe.
The woman had seen and heard enough to persuade her to run (yes- in the midday heat!) back to the village to invite others to come and find out about Jesus. I guess she was probably the very first Lady Evangelist mentioned in the Gospels! And they came, wanting to hear more for themselves. So Jesus held impromptu evangelistic sessions, staying overnight at their request to reach out to more Samaritans. You never read about that kind of thing happening back in Israel among the Jews! Does that surprise you?
It comes as a reminder to me that even the most unexpected people are open to hear and respond to the good news that Jesus brings. Maybe you have friends about whom you might say – I can’t imagine her/him ever becoming a Christian. Your part is just to tell them what Jesus means to you, and then let them go on to discover more for themselves. Outcomes are not your responsibility. Once the Holy Spirit begins to open eyes that have been blind to spiritual realities, anything can happen.
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