He had to go through Samaria on the way.” John 4:4 NLT
Jesus “had” to go through Samaria. The way this is worded, it sounds like Jesus had no other choice. This was His only option.
Interesting. The route through Samaria from Judea to Galilee would not be a Jew’s first choice. It was not the easiest route. It was not the best route. It was not the most traveled route. This would not be the first choice. It would be the last choice. This route would be avoided. Samaritans would be avoided.
The woman was surprised, for Jews refuse to have anything to do with Samaritans. She said to Jesus, “You are a Jew, and I am a Samaritan woman. Why are you asking me for a drink?””
John 4:9 NLT
Jesus “had” to go through Samaria. Why? Was there danger on the most traveled road that He needed to avoid? There’s nothing here to indicate that, although Jesus was drawing a lot of negative attention from the Pharisees.
Jesus “had” to go through Samaria. Why? Because the Father wanted Him to. It was the Father’s will for Him to go through Samaria. The Father had work for Jesus to do there. The Spirit was leading Jesus through Samaria, just as the Spirit had led Him into the wilderness after His baptism. Sometimes the Spirit leads us into unlikely places.
Jesus’ disciples were surprised by His decision to go through Samaria, and then also to interact with a Samaritan woman.
Just then his disciples came back. They were shocked to find him talking to a woman, but none of them had the nerve to ask, “What do you want with her?” or “Why are you talking to her?””
John 4:27 NLT
What reason did Jesus give for His actions?
Then Jesus explained: ‘My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent me, and from finishing his work.’”
John 4:34 NLT
“Why am I here in Samaria? Why am I speaking to this woman? This is the Father’s will. This is the Father’s work. I am about my Father’s business.”
Each day, in potentially unlikely, or unexpected ways, the Father sets before me His will and His work. The question is, will I choose to follow the Spirit’s lead and be about my Father’s business?
This blogpost originally appeared at: Going Where the Father Sends You #LikeJesus – Sonlife and is based upon Sonlife’s study, Knowing Him / A 50 Day Study in the Life of Christ / Day 13. Knowing Him has companion videos with our global leaders shot on location in Israel. Click here to watch the video that accompanies today’s study.
Check out these great resources!
You can listen to a new FREE audio resource and learn about what it means to be a disciple making church by clicking here: National Study: The State of Disciple Making Churches Free Audiobook
You can download a free 10-minute visual guide of the study here: National Study: The State of Disciple Making Churches: A 10 Minute Visual Guide
You can also download a free eBook copy of the full report here: National Study on Disciple Making in USA Churches
Interested in a free eBook on Disciple Making Metrics? Check out our free Disciple Making Metrics eBook