“He left Judea and departed again to Galilee . . .But He needed to go through Samaria.” (John 4:3-4, NKJV)
Have you ever taken a shortcut that ended up taking more time than the long way? It doesn’t always work well, as I can tell you this from experience. Many times, I prefer to take the longer route because there may be less traffic or the scenery is better. This story is not about a shortcut or even a necessary detour. It’s about a road usually avoided.
WHY SAMARIA?
When Jesus decided He and His disciples would go through Samaria as they traveled back to Galilee, He did not choose that route because it was shorter. Nor was it the preferred route. Yes, it was more direct when traveling between Judea in the south and Galilee in the north. Many devout Jews, however, chose a longer route to avoid Samaria. The reasons dated back several centuries. Samaritans were of a mixed heritage, part Jew and part Gentile. and they worshiped on Mount Gerizim, not in Jerusalem.
Jesus showed no reluctance in traveling through Samaria. In fact, when He uttered what we now call the Great Commission, He explicitly included Samaria as one of the places His followers were to become witnesses.
“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)
THE ENCOUNTER
As they started toward Galilee, Jesus told the others that He “needed to go through Samaria.” He had a reason for choosing that way. There would be a woman at a well, a woman most people avoided because of her past. Jesus was going to ask her for a drink of water—and offer her the chance to drink living water.
Jesus was willing to break religious and cultural norms by speaking to a woman most would ignore. She had “a past.” Her reputation was no doubt in tatters. That’s why she came to the well at a time of day when others would not be there. But today a man sat there.
The woman immediately recognized that this was an unusual encounter. A Jewish man was speaking to her and asked for water.
“How is it that You, being a Jew, ask a drink from me, a Samaritan woman? For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.” (John 4:9, NKJV)
COME SEE
When the disciples returned from town with food, even they were surprised to find Jesus talking to the woman. No one, however, was brave enough to question Him (verse 27). When the Lord had said He must go through Samaria, they did not realize His purpose was to minister to one broken woman at a well. That woman would soon rush to tell the townspeople to “Come, see a Man who told me all things that I ever did” (verse 29). And the people came!
HIS MINISTRY, OUR MINISTRY
Throughout His ministry, the Lord often reached out to those on the fringe of society—lepers, beggars, outcasts, the oppressed, sinners, and those without hope. Whether in Judea, Samaria, or on the shores of Galilee, Jesus took time for those others would pass by. It was His ministry.
“The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed.” (Luke 4:18, NKJV)
THE ROUTE WE TAKE
When the Lord says, “You must go this way,” don’t be afraid to take the route others may avoid. We are surrounded by hurting people who need the hope we possess. When God filled us with His Spirit, He gave us the power to be witnesses wherever we go. He has commissioned us to go.
Where is your Samaria? Who can you tell about the living water today?
Prayer: Lord, direct my steps today and help me to speak words that will bring hope to someone who needs to know You love them. Give me greater compassion for the lost, the lonely, and those who feel unloved. You are the answer to their needs.
Devotion by Mary Loudermilk
