“Now he had to go through Samaria”. (John 4:4)
Bible Reading: John 4:1-26
History reveals to us that the relationship between the Jews and the Samaritans was not the best (and that’s putting it mildly!) Partly due to this animosity, Jews traveling from Judea to Galilee would opt to take a longer route rather than have to pass through Samaria.
So, why is it that on this occasion – “Jesus had to go?” Could it be, I wonder, that the same selfless, unconditional love (agape) of God that compelled Christ to go all the way to the Cross was the same love that compelled Him to go via Samaria. Thus the words: He had to go!
Irrespective of the customs of the day, which dictated that he could not speak to a woman, let alone a Samaritan woman in public, Jesus knew that there was a lost Samaritan sheep that needed His attention and so He had to go!
Dear Friend, wherever you find yourself on this journey of life, whether on joy’s mountain top or in the doldrums of despair, Jesus loves you, and meets you today where you are.
Thank you for your relentless love that chases after me, reaches out to me, and that restores me.