Strange Paths

So [Jesus] left Judea and went back once more to Galilee.
Now he had to go through Samaria.
- from John 4:3-4
 
Why did Jesus have to go through Samaria?
 
Jews in Judea and Galilee often went around roundabout routes to get from one place to the other. They’d avoid Samaria, considering it to be a dangerous, unpleasant, and unholy place. Other roads seemed safer.
 
Jesus’ need to go through Samaria had nothing to do with logistics and travel efficiency and everything to do with his mission to seek and save the lost. Jesus didn’t just to the places which were easy and comfortable for him culturally. He also went to places where he would be perceived as the outsider and as a foreigner.
 
Jesus’ bigger driving purpose led him to Samaria and the conversational adventure we’ll look at this week.
 
Where is God sending you? What purpose is driving you to where you’re going today? On what strange paths has God led you?

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