The Road Through Samaria: The Unusual Road Of Navigation

THE ROAD THROUGH SAMARIA:

THE UNUSUAL ROAD OF NAVIGATION

JOHN 4:1-42

Imagine if Jesus came to the world as human today. He opened the Google Map Navigation and type Galilee as destination. His current location is Judea. There are several options. But Jesus took the unusual way. He had to go through Samaria! Samaria may also means – the unusual way!

JOHN 4:1-42

I – THE UNUSUAL COURSE

1Jesus[a] knew the Pharisees had heard that he was baptizing and making more disciples than John 2 (though Jesus himself didn’t baptize them—his disciples did). 3 So he left Judea and returned to Galilee.

4 He had to go through Samaria on the way. 5 Eventually he came to the Samaritan village of Sychar, near the field that Jacob gave to his son Joseph.

6 Jacob’s well was there; and Jesus, tired from the long walk, sat wearily beside the well about noontime.

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION:

1. By going through Samaria while on his way to Galilee, what does it talks about Jesus’ intentions?

2. Do you believe in divine appointment? Tell your own stories.

3. Jesus sat waiting beside the well where the woman will surely come to meet her every day’s legitimate needs. What does it imply? Where and how Jesus waited and finally found you?

By feeling tired and thirsty, we can attest that he really live here on Earth with all the limitations of any human beings. He did not use even a little portion of his divinity so that he can make life a little bit easy for him.

• He had to go to Samaria to reach out an unknown woman in need

• He became tired and weary so that we can have rest

• He became thirsty so that we can be satisfied

• He became in need so that we become fulfilled

• He became alone and lonely so that we become happy in God’s family

• He went to Earth so that we can go to heaven

Jesus is willing to go through unusual way, to walk the extra mile, to spend more time waiting at the well of our lives just to find us and meet our deepest needs.

More than the water we drink, more than the food we eat, more than the air we breathe, the ultimate need of our soul is Jesus.

How many times in our lives that God is leading us through Samaria Road just to find one lost soul and lead that soul to the feet of Jesus.

II – THE UNUSUAL CONTACT

7 Soon a Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her,“Please give me a drink.” 8 He was alone at the time because his disciples had gone into the village to buy some food.

9 The woman was surprised, for Jews refuse to have anything to do with Samaritans.[b] She said to Jesus, “You are a Jew, and I am a Samaritan woman. Why are you asking me for a drink?”

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION:

1. Imagine if the scenario is in today’s setting. Jesus will probably command Peter to make an appointment with the Samaritan Woman. What do you think will be the reaction of Peter or the other disciples?

2. Do you think Peter can easily find the Samaritan Woman in his phone’s contact list?

3. During the conversation with the woman, Jesus opens the conversation by saying; “Please give me a drink” as if he is the one in real need. What wisdom you can get from it?

4. What will be your reaction if a stranger suddenly asks for your help?

5. Though it is not mention there, do you think she gave Jesus a drink?

6. If yes, then what do you think will be the return blessing from that single drink that she gave?

The woman was surprise to see a Jew asking for a glass of water only to find later that she is the one in thirst.

Jesus is willing to embrace the rejects, accept the outcasts and spend time with the people that other refuse because in his heart every soul has place to belong

III - THE UNUSUAL CONCERN

10 Jesus replied, “If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water.”

11 “But sir, you don’t have a rope or a bucket,” she said, “and this well is very deep. Where would you get this living water?

QUESTION FOR DISCUSSION:

1. Based in verse 10, according to the point of view of Jesus, what is the problem of the Samaritan woman?

2. Based in verse 11, according to point of view of the Samaritan woman, what is the problem of Jesus?

3. What is the difference between the concerns of Jesus compare to that of the woman?