Jesus And Missions Series

Note: Some of the notes come from The Preachers Sermon and Outline Bible on John 4

Title: Jesus’ Mission

Theme: To show how Jesus viewed missions and how we should also.

Text: John 4:1 - 42

The Mission

Joh 4:1 Therefore, when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John 2 (though Jesus Himself did not baptize, but His disciples),

3 He left Judea and departed again to Galilee. 4 But He needed to go through Samaria.

Jesus didn't want there to be no conflict between his ministry and the ministry of John there was no competition between them they were working for the same cause. He realized they could do more separate branching out.

Note the words, "He must needs go through Samaria." The word must (edei) means necessity, compulsion, destiny. Jesus was driven to go through Samaria for the sake of His mission. Samaria needed the gospel as much as other areas. (The word "must" is so often used in connection with Jesus' mission that it makes an excellent word study. Cp. John 3:14; John 9:4; John 10:16; John 12:34; John 20:9.)

Joh 3:14 "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up,

Joh 9:4 "I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work.

Joh 10:16 "And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.

Joh 12:34 The people answered Him, "We have heard from the law that the Christ remains forever; and how can You say, 'The Son of Man must be lifted up'? Who is this Son of Man?"

Joh 20:9 For as yet they did not know the Scripture, that He must rise again from the dead.

— Preacher's Outline and Sermon Bible - Commentary

Why? Logically it would seem like it was the easiest route, yet it is well known that Jews did not go through Samaria. They did not like each other. It was back and forth we see this in Luke 9 as the Samaritans rejected Jesus and his disciples to stay with them. I believe by this time the Jews had become accustomed to avoiding the Samaritans. Jesus even tells his disciples in Mark 10:5-6 to no go to the Samaritans, they were not ready for the gospel.

We discussed this a few Wednesday nights ago as we were looking at the disciples. I encourage you to come out as we will be looking at John next Wednesday.

Samaritans were not well like by the Jews

- They were considered “half-breeds” in their race and also in their religion

- They were known to mix the religion of the Jews with that of pagan practices

- The Samaritans also despised the Jews so it worked both ways

Yet Jesus has this mission. He has got to go through Samaria. Why? Because this is who Jesus is, he was a man who saw people as who they are, lost and living without God. Jesus could see beyond race. We find this in the New Testament church they had to get past their religious beliefs to reach everyone. By the time we get though acts all the barriers has be broken.

Second reason is that Jesus had compassion, he saw the sick and wanted to help.

The Compassion of Jesus

: sympathetic consciousness of others' distress together with a desire to alleviate it.

Proverbs 19:17 He who is gracious to a poor man lends to the LORD, And He will repay him for his good deed.

1 Corinthians 12:25-26 that there should be no division in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.

1 John 3:17 But whoever has the world's goods, and beholds his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him?

1 Corinthians 9:22 To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak; I have become all things to all men, that I may by all means save some.

Mar 1:41 Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, "I am willing; be cleansed."

Mar 6:34 And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd. So He began to teach them many things.

Mar 8:2 "I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now continued with Me three days and have nothing to eat.