John 4:1-6 (NRSV)
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Chapter 4Now when Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard, "Jesus is making and baptizing more disciples than John" Verse 2-although it was not Jesus himself but his disciples who baptized- Verse 3he left Judea and started back to Galilee.
Verse 4But he had to go through Samaria. Verse 5So he came to a Samaritan city called Sychar, near the plot of ground that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. Verse 6Jacob's well was there, and Jesus, tired out by his journey, was sitting by the well. It was about noon.
Devotion
Before Jesus’ conversation with the Samaritan woman at the well, we are told it was necessary for Jesus to go through Samaria. Traveling through Samaria from Judea to Galilee was certainly expedient, the most convenient route ... but necessary? Knowing the rest of the story—that the Samaritan woman witnessed to her town about Jesus—it was indeed a necessary itinerary. “We know that this is truly the Savior of the world.” This sweeping claim, the only time the word “savior” is used in the Gospel of John, is a testimony not only to the revelation of Jesus Christ to the Samaritan woman, but also to her new identity as witness to the Word made flesh.
Prayer
Savior of the world, even in the midst of uncertainty, we pray we are bold enough to witness to your revelation as the only begotten God. Amen.