2^nd September

“Crowds listened intently to Philip because they were eager to hear his message and see the miraculous signs he did. ……When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that the people of Samaria had accepted God’s message, they sent Peter and John there. As soon as they arrived, they prayed for these new believers to receive the Holy Spirit.”

Acts 8:6,14-15

Jesus’ actions on the day when He ministered to the Samaritan woman, changed Samaria’s identity forever; not just at the time but even years later. If we look back to Jesus’ last words just before His ascension in Acts 1:8, we read the following words….“And you will be my witnesses telling people about me everywhere – in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, IN SAMARIA, and to the ends of the earth.” This prophetic statement about Samaria came to fruition in Acts 8.

Although it is not stated in the text, it can be concluded that Jesus had already scattered the seeds of salvation on that day when He revealed Himself to the Samaritan woman and her fellow villagers. Because of the word Jesus spoke, years later, people were still receiving His salvation. The Samaritans were eager to hear Philip’s message about Jesus and many believed and received the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus, in His grace, has poured out to us His children, the gift of salvation and the gift of the Holy Spirit. This was never a gift to be hidden but shared with the world. For in sharing His gift, others can also receive it too. The power of one life changed can ultimately affect a whole city. If we understand that, it will change the way we share our gift with people and help us to realise the value of the people we are sharing it with. Just as one life changed a whole town in Samaria, so can one life make a difference today.