Why do we need church

Because the church needs us.

The story of the woman at the well encountering Jesus in John 4 has come up more than once in the past few months in my life. There is so much we can learn from this account. The thing that I have held on to the most is the power of the woman's testimony. Many people are familiar with the story of the woman at the well and in particular Jesus calling her out on having multiple husbands which is the reason for her being there at noon when it is blistering hot (something Houston understands all too well). But the way the story ends is what is so compelling to me. 

"So the woman left her water jar and went away into town and said to the people, 'Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did. Can this be the Christ?' They went out of the town and were coming to him." John 4:28 - 30

The relationship she now had with Jesus left her changed. The relationship had an effect. She couldn't help but go tell the people of her town, which is actually kind of miraculous considering she had been previously living in so much shame (again, reason for her going to draw water in the blistering heat). 

Meanwhile, Jesus' disciples come back from going to eat and bless their hearts, they just don't get it. They are trying to get Jesus to eat something and He explains that He has food they don't know about. So now they are confused. Who brought Him food? Was it better than what we ate?!?! (my interpretation) He clears the air...

"My  food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work." John 4:34

Jesus understands the mission and is trying to get the disciples on the same page. I love Jesus' patience with them because I know that I need the same patience and usually more.  He goes on to explain to them that both sowing and reaping are happening. There is reaping to be done as a result of what others have sowed and there is also more sowing to do. 

"Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest." John 4:35

So then we see again, the impact of the woman's testimony.

"Many Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman's testimony, 'He told me all that I ever did.'" John 4:39

The next verse is where I see the application for myself today.

"So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them, and he stayed there two days." John 4:40

Jesus clearly understood that relationships matter. He understood that while some believed simply on the word of the woman's testimony, others would need a little more time. And what do we see happens...

"And many more believed because of his word." John 4:41

Is this not the great commission? That all would come to know Jesus and have a relationship with Him? We have Jesus as an example to follow and this story is no different. What do we have to learn from Jesus in this story:

• show grace in the midst of someone's shame
• build relationships
• practice patience
• show up

Jesus did not need the Samaritans. He's Jesus. But this wasn't about Him and as followers of Jesus it's not about us. We may feel like we don't need the church because we already know Jesus and have a community, but there are so many people who need the church so that they can know Jesus personally just as we do. It is important that we share our story with others so that they might believe. It is also important that we show up for those that will come to hear for themselves and then believe. 

A few weeks ago in my life bible study class at church I met a couple that was coming to visit our class for the first time. I talked to them for a while and explained the set up of the different classes and encouraged them to try another class to see where they would fit best. They sat at my table during class and later that week I reached out to the girl to tell her I was glad she came. She found me at church this Sunday to tell me that she had indeed tried another class and that she would be coming back to our class. Her words, "It just makes sense considering the relationships I made." Wow. I love this and am so thankful I was there for God to use me in that moment.

​We need the church you see, because relationships matter. When you feel like it won't matter or you're just too tired, remember Jesus' example and choose to be obedient and in return be blessed.