It’s Finally Friday…and I’m Pastor James St. John.
This Finally Friday happens to fall on May 5, 2023.
While I was making my way through a list of errands, this morning, I noticed that one of our local Mexican restaurants was extending it’s dining area into their parking lot. “Why?” one might ask. Well, it’s Cinco De Mayo, the day on which the Mexican diaspora (and others needing or looking for a reason to celebrate) remember the 1862 victory of the Mexican army, led by General Ignacio Zaragosa, against the superior forces of the invading French in what is known as the Battle of Puebla. Every year, there are reenactments and a parade in the central Mexico city of Puebla. Throughout our nation and around the world, as is the case with most “holidays,” marketers have turned the day into a carnival of indulgence. One observer has noted,
the day has become an excuse to toss back tequila shots with salt and lime and gorge on tortilla chips smothered with melted orange cheddar that’s unfamiliar to most people in Mexico.
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/cinco-de-mayo-celebrates-mexican-american-culture-not-independence
But, I digress.
As it relates to the power of a testimony, Cinco De Mayo celebrates a victory, but it also celebrates the emotional boost this victory became for the Mexican Army who faced a superior force, both in numbers and equipment. Further, the report of the victory became a great source of pride and encouragement among the citizens among whom the report of the victory spread. Then, Cinco De Mayo became an important celebration of Mexican-American culture and identity throughout the 20th Century that continues into present day.
Today’s Scripture:
39 Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I ever did.”
John 4:39
We’ve plopped right into the middle of a familiar and important Jesus moment.
Jesus led his disciples into Samaria. He sits down at a community center, otherwise known as a well, and sends his disciples into the city to purchase lunch. While awaiting their return, a woman approaches and he asks for her to get him something to drink from the well. Suffice it to say, as is always the case, the transforming presence of Jesus alters the course of her life. I encourage you to read the whole story. She abandons her bucket and runs back into town to share the news about Jesus with others. Thus, the report of verse 39 we read above.
So, let’s talk about the power of testimony.
First, our faith journey is meant to be shared in community. Jesus created a community of twelve…then one hundred twenty…and so on, that assembled together to pray, share meals, bear one another’s’ burdens. This community gathered together to pray for the freedom of one of their own who was imprisoned. While their prayer meeting continued, Peter showed up with a testimony of God’s powerful movement that, “he declared to them how the Lord had freed him from the prison” and told them to spread the word of testimony among others of the faith (Acts 12:12-17).
Second, a shared testimony will inspire belief. Just read what John says here. Many of the Samaritans believed because of the testimony of this woman. I find it interesting that the testimony of a woman, rejected by her own community (as evidenced by her coming to the well in the middle of the day), was effective to lead others to Jesus. We are often convinced that we are insignificant, unworthy, or ineffective. I assure you, nothing can be further from the truth.
Third, a shared testimony’s effectiveness cannot be underestimated. The power of God is revealed in our shared testimony. From the Samaritan woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I ever did” to Peter’s testimony of God’s power to deliver him from a Roman prison, God is exalted and people are encouraged. I am sure, these reports have been shared billions of times and God has used them, every single time. The same is true when we share our testimony of God’s working in our own lives.
Just last night, at Celebrate Recovery, I heard the testimony of a man’s life that was being destroyed by an alcohol addiction. God intervened. God delivered. God continues to transform. I was encouraged. I linked arms with another brother, in faith, to walk this path of victory together. That is just a taste of the power of a testimony.