LEARNING DAILY

John 4:4, But He needed to go through Samaria.

Dr. Ed newton has begun a four-week sermon series about Jesus meeting a woman at Jacob’s well in Samaria. The first message was excellent; two thoughts he gave caught my attention.

Jesus had decided to leave the area of Judea to go to Galilee; He decided to go through the land held by the Samaritans. It is significant to understand that the Jewish people of this day would not pass through Samaria because they believed doing so would make them unclean. Instead, they would travel around Samaritan land even if it meant the travel time would take much longer.  Another factor was that the way through Samaria was more dangerous due to the Samaritan-Jewish relationship. Just a note to let the reader know that this area today is an area disputed because much of it is occupied by the Palestinian Authority and travel through it is avoided.

 John writes that Jesus “had to go” through Samaria. John gives no specific reason. However, we do know that God sent His son to make peace, to unify all mankind through His redeeming power. Jesus often stated that He had come to do what the Father told Him to do. Because of that, one can conclude that it was the Father’s will for Jesus to go through Samaria to get to Galilee. That journey brought Him to Jacob’s well where He met with the Samaritan woman.

I have read this account many times and written on it long ago in the blog. But Pastor Newton brought out an important point that I have missed every time I have read this. Verse 6 of this account states it was about the sixth hour of the day; it was about noon and was already quite hot. It was the worst possible time for one to leave their house because of the scorching heat. Notice also in that verse, Jesus was wearied or tired when He got there. He was physically tired (from the Listener Guide) and needed a drink.

 Pastor mentioned that the “well of living water” was Himself in need of a drink of water. Why is this important? The Son of Man was fully human. He knew thirst just like each of us have known thirst during a really hot day. Just like us, He grew tired after working or playing in the heat of the day. Because of that we can know that “Jesus Christ is able to relate to us and to our needs” (Pastor Newton). Because He relates to us and knows our needs, we can believe Peter when he writes, “casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7). We can believe all the promises He has given to us because He knows us right where are.

The other thought that Pastor mentioned, “Jesus goes out of His way for just one person”. Notice the wording. “But He needed to go through Samaria.” He had to go there because He needed to meet a woman at a well in order to give to her “living water”, so she would “never thirst again”. The woman came to the well to get water for herself and perhaps for others. Jesus met her, just as she was, just who she was in her fallen condition. He met her just like He meets people today in their fallen, sinful state. He went out of His way for this one Samaritan woman and offered her the blessing of salvation if she would only say yes to the “living water” he was offering.

The challenge given in this message was for each Believer to consider who he/she might be able to extend the offer of “living water” to. Each Believer has opportunities to share what Jesus Christ has done in their life because of the “living water” He has given him/her. The challenge each of us has is to be ready to share what Jesus Christ has done in our lives, how He has changed us. We just have to share, to just plant the seed that might be what helps another person say yes to the salvation Jesus Christ offers. That is all He asks.