TODAY IN THE WORD
Bible commentator G. Campbell Morgan once speculated what would happen if the disciples set up a commission to investigate starting a mission in Samaria. The commission's findings would be as follows: “Samaria undoubtedly needs our Master's message, but it is not ready for it. There must be first ploughing, then sowing, and then waiting. It is needy, but it is not ready.”

Quite the opposite of this “commission's” conclusion, we see that Jesus was more than willing to take a significant risk when he reached out to a Samari-tan woman, and it resulted in the conversion of an entire village.

The decision to go through Samaria was deliberate, and may have been due to the Pharisee's opposition (vv. 1-3). Most Jews went to great trouble to avoid this region, even though Samaria was the most direct route between Judea and Galilee. Not only did Jesus take a risk in going through Samaria, but He also broke many cultural and religious barriers by even acknowledging a woman, and a Samaritan woman at that. It was simply unheard of that a rabbi, especially one who was unmarried, would even speak to a woman, let along ask something of her. This explains why the disciples were so baffled by Jesus' actions (v. 27).

In addition to being a Samaritan and a woman, this woman's lifestyle was highly questionable, which explained why she was drawing water in the middle of the day (v. 6). Jesus knew that this woman was very isolated—both from her community, and more important, from the source of Living Water. As their conversation unfolded, Jesus helped her see that her theological concerns were really a cover for her deeper need of salvation. He moved beyond her earthly focus to show her that He was the source of abundant, Spirit-filled life that satisfied more than even the best well water.

The woman's willingness to share what had happened with the village demonstrates her tremendous excitement. They also responded in faith. Her tainted background no doubt piqued their curiosity and enabled them to see the power of God in her life more clearly.

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TODAY ALONG THE WAY
The villagers' response is another example of Jesus crossing cultural and geographic barriers in His earthly mission. Although His primary focus was the Jews, all four Gospels record significant ways in which Jesus ministered to Gentiles.

Jesus' encounter with the Samaritan woman challenges us to think about how we might take risks to cross similar barriers for the gospel. Will we see the great need of individuals and be willing to reach out to them? Or will we conclude that “they are needy, but not yet ready?”

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