John's gospel is relentlessly focused on Jesus Christ. However, it does not neglect the people Jesus meets. Testifying about one's conversion experience has become less frequent these days, so it's worth taking a moment to review the testimonies of:

• The Samaritans and the woman at the well, ″we know that this man really is the Saviour of the world″ (John 4:42).
• The blind man, ″‘Lord, I believe,' and he worshipped him″ (John 9:38).
• Nicodemus, who had earlier come by night (John 3), now identifies with Jesus at His weakest moment, when it is most dangerous to do so, by accompanying Joseph of Arimathea in claiming the body (John 19:39).
• Thomas, now convinced, ″My Lord and my God!″ (John 20:28).

Each of them has a story to tell. Each of them takes time to consider and come to a life changing conclusion. Even Thomas, who was a believer, has his doubts settled by the appearance of the resurrected Christ. They all have different stories to tell of their encounter with Jesus.

With some, like Nicodemus, Jesus is direct; with the woman, Jesus is more abstract and yet pointed in exposing her moral failure; with the blind man, He is supremely patient; and with Thomas, He is graciously accommodating. With different people, different approaches, yet the same life transforming encounter with God's powerful Son.

Jesus is both Saviour and Lord. He is a Saviour to be trusted; the Lord to be followed and obeyed. C. H. Spurgeon writes, ″To come to Jesus not only implies leaving all other confidences and trusting Christ, it also means following Him. If you trust Him, you must obey Him . . . Christ has come to save you from sin, not in sin. He will make you holy.″²⁰

²⁰C. H. Spurgeon, ″All Comers to Christ Welcomed″, sermon no. 2349, Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit 40 (1894), 85.