John 4:1-26; 1 Chronicles 15:1-16:6; Zechariah 4

“But He needed to go through Samaria.” (John 4:4 NKJV) 

Samaria was on the road that led from Jerusalem to Galilee. That being said, no good Jew needed to go through Samaria. The normal route was to take the road to Jericho, cross the Jordan river, travel north in the Transjordan area until you got close to the Sea of Galilee and then cross the Jordan once again to head to Galilee. There was no earthly reason to go through Samaria. When God’s word says that Jesus needed to go through Samaria, you’d better believe that there’s an amazing reason – and there was. Jesus had a divine appointment with a woman at Jacob’s well.

Make no mistake. Jesus didn’t look at Google maps on His phone and tell the disciples, “Sorry guys, there’s some kind of commotion on the road to Jericho. Big mugging. Cops are questioning a Samaritan. We need to take the alternate route.” Jesus had to go through Samaria to meet that woman. Did you ever feel like God was calling you to do something completely crazy? Maybe you successfully ignored it and then looked back and congratulated yourself on not giving into that weird impulse. Perhaps you realized it was God leading you, but you didn’t tell anyone else, because they’d think you were crazy. However you respond, remember that God may call you to do the unimaginable so that you can share His love in ways that no one else could. Stay sensitive to God’s leading and your life will always be exciting1

Lord, lead me. Whether You lead me through Samaria or to my next door neighbor, let me sense Your leadership and obey when You call.