I was never very good at basketball, but I still remember an important concept from my 5th grade hoops coach. I could not shoot or dribble with any degree of proficiency, but I could steal. Coach would say, “I’m glad you can force the turnover, but it is not a valid possession until you have enough control to pass the ball to a teammate.”
The Samaritan woman heard the gospel. She testified of its impact and “many Samaritans from that town believed in Him because of what the woman said.” But that was not enough. The impact of this woman’s experience was not fully realized until she was removed from the equation. At some point, those who heard were compelled to say, “We have heard for ourselves and know that this really is the Savior,” (John 4.39, 41-42).
Until those I tell of Christ can say, “We have heard for ourselves,” I have not yet passed the ball. It’s not enough to tell them. They must hear for themselves.
