Tim Maas Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army

Although Jesus had told the apostles with regard to their evangelistic travels not to go to the Samaritans from a mission standpoint (Matthew 10:5), the only route available when physically traveling south from Galilee to Judea (without having to take an unacceptably long detour from a time perspective) required passing through Samaria. (This is confirmed in the writings of secular historical sources such as Flavius Josephus.)

(Some commentaries on the gospel also present the route Jesus took as a conscious decision on His part through foreknowledge of the encounter that He was going to have with the Samaritan woman at Jacob's well in Sychar, which would lead to the conversion of numerous inhabitants there, as described in John 4.)

August 19 2023 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Leslie Coutinho

John 4:4: And he must needs go through Samaria.

In the land of Samaria, where our forefather Abraham was, the wells they dug were filled with the earth by the Philistines. Isaac dug again the wells of water and found wells of springing water. (Gen 21:30-31/26:15,19) Jacob went to the land of the people of the east, which is in Haran in Samaria, and came to a well and found the flock of sheep lying nearby, waiting for all the flock to gather and then for the stone to be rolled and to be fed. (Gen 29:2,8) When he saw Rachel come with the flock, he rolled the stone from the well and watered the flock of Laban, his mother's brother. (Gen 29:10) Lord Jesus needed to go through this same land of Samaria, to open up these wells and to draw water out of the wells and to give them the flowing rivers of living water of salvation. (John 7:38)

The Samaritans, who knew the coming of the Messiah, had the gift of compassion from God. (Lk 10:33/Jonah 4:11) The Jews had no dealings with the Samaritans, when Lord Jesus set at the well, a Samaritan woman came to the well. Lord Jesus asked her “Give me water to drink.” When she was exposed about her past “husbands” and when she understood the one to be worshiped is “Father in spirit and truth” and the coming of the Messiah, she marveled about who spoke to her. She was led to gather the flock and bring them to our Lord Jesus. They all came to see Jesus, who brought joy and salvation to them. Lord Jesus then stayed with them, and they believed in His Word, drawing water out of the wells of salvation, recognizing Him the Christ the Saviour of the World. (John 4:42/Isa 12:3)

Jacob wrestled with a “Man of God,” and then God called him Israel, for as a prince, he had power with God and with men, and he prevailed. He saw “God face to face” (Gen 32:28-30). He then journeyed to Succoth, built a house, came to Salem, bought a piece of land, erected an altar, and called it Elelohe- Israel. (Gen 33:17,19,20) The Samaritans in this land knew the coming of the Messiah who would open these wells of springing water and give them the living water. (John 4:25) The Samaritan woman witnessed Lord Jesus, for out of her belly, then there flew out rivers of living water as she prevailed, and they all went out of the city and came to the well unto our Lord Jesus Christ the Saviour of the world.

Isaiah 12:3: Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.

June 29 2024 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report