Today’s Encouragement is John 4:4 NLT He had to go through Samaria on the way.
He had to –
Jews avoided Samaria like the plague! They would go miles out of their way to avoid that country. But Jesus had to!
We aren’t told explicitly why, but… the only thing He did in that visit was this:
He talked with a Samaritan woman, alone, who was unmarried and living with a man, her fifth.
Now, my friend, we have to ask ourselves… why her? Why this one person of a rejected race, a woman (considered at the time, as far inferior to men), this one woman who was obviously a sinner, who came to the well alone at noon, presumably because she didn’t associate with the other women who came in the early hours.
This one woman… despised, rejected, full of shame and sin… she is why He “had to go through Samaria!”
Jesus chose to reach out in love, mercy, power, grace, and truth to the Least! Beggars, prostitutes, a thief being crucified beside Him, tax collectors, lepers, you name it. And often, one at a time.
The Least and the Last – He said, Matthew 20:16 NLT “So those who are last now will be first then, and those who are first will be last.”
My friend, just as Jesus intentionally went to this despised nation, seeking a despised woman, to set her free… And so today, He is intentionally seeking His people, including the least and last.
He chose you and me, didn’t He?
Thank You God, that in Your perfect wisdom, You sent Jesus to save all who believe in Him, and that Jesus still comes to us – individually, to the least, the last, the lost… to Save us!
Our God Saves
Paul Baloche
Today’s Encouragement 