John 4:1-4 - Lesson #34

Our last lesson on John closed the third chapter - a focused chapter which taught the absolute supremacy of Jesus and the way of Salvation through faith in the sacrifice of God's "only begotten Son" (John 3:16). Everything Jesus did during His brief three year earthly ministry was for a very focused and direct purpose - to reveal, declare, and glorify God on the way to the cross.

At the end of chapter two, we saw that many Jews heard and wanted to follow Jesus, but He knew their belief was not sincere (John 2:24-25). He was then approached by Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews, and began to teach about being born again. Now in chapter four, we see Jesus intentionally travel to minister to someone who is the complete opposite of Nicodemus, teaching us that only God knows the heart, but that the gospel message is for all to hear.

John 4:1-4
"Therefore, when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John (though Jesus Himself did not baptize, but His disciples), He left Judea and departed again to Galilee. But He needed to go through Samaria."

The Pharisees were well aware of the ministries of Jesus and John. And this increased popularity of Jesus would definitely command their attention. But Jesus wasn't interested in a confrontation with the Pharisees (at least, not yet), nor was He particularly interested in developing a large following. Jesus had clear focus in His ministry, so He gathered His disciples and traveled north. But right between Judea in the south and Galilee in the north lie the region of Samaria.

Jesus could have done as most Jews of His day and just avoided Samaria. After all, the Samaritans came from the northern tribes of Israel that split the kingdom after the reign of Solomon. These were the same people conquered by the Assyrians in 720 BC who then intermarried with surrounding nations and destroyed the purity of their heritage. They were the same people who quarrelled with the true Jews when they returned from Babylonian captivity to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem. And they were the same despised people who then turned and built their own Temple on Mount Gerizim.

Yes, Jesus could have gone around and no one would have blamed Him. How could anyone expect to minister in Samaria? The Samaritans only believed the first five books of the Bible - and their Bible was even changed to say Abraham sacrificed Isaac on Mount Gerizim! But Jesus was never very concerned about these details. He had an appointment to keep with a young woman who needed to hear the message of eternal life, and through the process teach us some wonderful truths.

There is never a good reason not to share the love of the Gospel message. No people too "low" nor place too "dirty." All need to hear! Let's be determined to never let social, racial, economic, or even religious differences, hinder us from sharing His truth. Let's maintain a focused desire to take His Word to ALL.