Our text today tells us that Jesus "had to go through Samaria" on his way north to Galilee. The fact is that most Jews who were travelling north from Judea to Galilee would never go through Samaria. They would travel east across the Jordan River, north past Samaria, and then cross back west across Jordan in order to escape being in the area of Samaria.

A mutual, well-nursed hatred existed between the Jews and the Samaritans in Jesus' time. Both groups went to great lengths to avoid being together. Why did Jesus have to go through Samaria? Well, He had a necessary appointment.

There was a specific Samaritan woman that Jesus wished to engage in conversation. In order to encounter her, Jesus had to go into her country and stop by a well that she came to every day for water.

Our Lord was going to perform a miracle in her life that day, and so He came to her home area and met with her. The miracle was that Jesus was going to reveal His eternal glory to her through the conversation they would have.

The woman had a tragic past that all her neighbours knew about. When Jesus spoke to her He told her her history—a history only known by those who were acquainted with her.  When Jesus—a total stranger—gave such a detailed account of her past, she instantly knew she was in the presence of someone who was more than a Jew.

Jesus revealed Himself as the omniscient God that afternoon by a well outside her home town. As He went on to tell her more about worship and God, she asked Him if He was the coming Messiah.

The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.” John 4:25-26 (NIV)

Then Jesus declared, “I, the one speaking to you—I  am he.”

The woman with a sordid past was the reason Jesus "had" to go through Samaria. He had a necessary appointment to reach this person and turn her life around completely.

Jesus is still the same today. He "must" meet people and draw them to Himself. He goes out of His way to encounter individuals from all social and economic groups. No one is beneath His area of interest. No one is so important that they do not need Him.

You have read this devotional today. Why did Jesus draw you to this website and why did He show you that He reaches out to people of all types? Was this a divine encounter? Is Jesus speaking to you and urging you to accept the truth that He is the Saviour of every kind of person?

Whoever you are, whatever your need, the greatest concern is that you get right with God, and Jesus is the way home to the Father and forgiveness. Jesus associated with people from every sector of society. Do not exclude yourself from following Him because of your past. Jesus calls everyone from all walks of life to come to Him. Come and come now.