1. A Special Trip

John 4: 4     Tells us that “he must needs go through Samaria.”  The “he” is Jesus Christ, of Nazareth, of course. He left Judea and headed north on the way into Galilee. But he was pressed to pass through Samaria, of all places, where no honorable Jew would enter, because “the Jews had no dealings with Samaritans. They looked down upon them because of their history and ethnicity. But Jesus intended to make this special trip that special day to set a captive woman free.

                While He was cooling  the temperatures down with the Pharisees who were growing resentful at his increasing popularity (he baptized more disciples than John the Baptist), he set out purposefully to a despised city to talk to a woman of ill repute who needed him. He also wanted to demonstrate to his disciples that he was a barrier-breaking liberal who loved mercy more that sacrifice.

                Have you been challenged to take such a trip—that breaks conventions and eliminates barriers? Were you ever required to shake hands with an enemy, wipe the brow of someone with a fatal disease, talk across the fence cheerily with a neighbor of a different culture, or smile cordially with a person of ill reputation or strange persuasion?

                Are you willing to go openly through Samaria where your sphere of influence could witness your unconditional love?

                Father, as I worship You today, cleanse my heart of all its prejudice, bigotry, and fear. Give me the strength and wisdom to dare to break away from conventions that do not attest to Your unconditional love. Let my life reflect the loving acceptance Jesus demonstrated by taking that special trip through Samaria to set a captive free. Make me a liberator for Christ. In his name I pray. Amen.