Greetings in the mighty name of our Lord Jesus Christ! I welcome you once again to reflect on the words of life, especially as the time draws near.
When Jesus Christ came into this world, His mission was not for everyone at first. His ministry was initially directed toward the Jews, and only later to the rest of the nations. That is why, even when people from other nations came to Him for healing, He was cautious, making it clear that He was sent primarily for the Jews (Matthew 15:22-28).
At another time, when He sent His disciples to preach, He strictly instructed them not to go to the Gentiles or the Samaritans, but only to the lost sheep of Israel.
Matthew 10:5-6“These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them: ‘Go nowhere among the Gentiles and enter no town of the Samaritans. But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.'”
So, Christ’s initial purpose was to minister to the Jews first. But sometimes, God’s plans take unexpected turns, and Jesus had to temporarily extend His mission to others He encountered.
Let us read John 4:3-7:
John 4:3-7“He left Judea and departed again for Galilee. And he had to pass through Samaria. So he came to a town of Samaria called Sychar, near the field that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. Jacob’s well was there; so Jesus, wearied as he was from his journey, was sitting beside the well. It was about the sixth hour. A woman from Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, ‘Give me a drink.'”
Notice this: Jesus’ original plan was to continue to Galilee, ministering to the Jews. But to get there, He had no choice but to pass through Samaria. Samaria was merely a crossroads.
When He arrived, He was tired. But did He rest and do nothing? Did He ignore the people because He wasn’t sent to them? No! He put aside His fatigue and began ministering to the sinful woman at the well. This act amazed the woman and later even surprised His disciples when they returned and saw Him preaching to a Samaritan woman—a group they had previously been told to avoid.
John 4:9-10“The Samaritan woman said to him, ‘How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a woman of Samaria?’ (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.) Jesus answered her, ‘If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, “Give me a drink,” you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.'”
What can we learn from this?
To reach your “Galilee,” you may have to pass through your “Samaria.” God allows certain circumstances in your life to prepare you, even if they seem unrelated to your plans. You may have goals to preach or serve in a particular place, but today you find yourself in school, at work, or somewhere that doesn’t seem ideal. This is your “crossroads.” Use it to minister, to serve, and to witness, because God has placed you there for a reason.
Do not wait for the “perfect time.” Christ did not wait. He knew Samaria was not His primary mission, but He still bore witness, and many came to believe in Him. Some even wanted to make Him king, but He refused.
Many Christians today delay, saying, “I’ll serve God after this, after that, or when the time is right.” Stop waiting. Wherever you are, start bearing fruit now.
2 Timothy 4:2“Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.”
Jesus Himself taught us to learn from Him (Matthew 11:29). Wherever you are, you can bear fruit without waiting to “reach Galilee.”
Share this message with others and be a light wherever God has placed you.
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