You Just Had to Go There

Read The Daily:
“He had to go through Samaria on the way.” – John 4:4

Most people avoided Samaria. Jews in Jesus’ day would go 70 miles out of their way just to walk around it. The people there were considered outsiders—messed up, not worth the time. But Jesus? The Bible says He had to go through Samaria. Not because it was the fastest route. But because He was going to meet someone in their mess.

That tells us something about the heart of God. Jesus doesn’t avoid broken places. He walks straight into them.

Maybe you’ve felt like Samaria. Like the part of your story no one wants to talk about. The part of yourself you try to hide. The mistakes, the doubts, the wounds. It’s easy to believe God would go around people like you—would work with someone more spiritual, more polished, more put-together.

But Jesus didn’t go around. He went through. On purpose.

So if you feel like you’re the place others avoid—or the person that’s too far gone—this is your reminder: Jesus had to go there. Because He had to get to you.

Prayer for the Day

God what are you  showing me?  What am I going to do about it?
God help me to see one person that I can serve through a kind word, random act of kindness, or simple gift today?
Make sure you complete the reading or comment today.

Read The New Testament In A Year

When it was time for Elizabeth’s baby to be born, she gave birth to a son. And when her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had been very merciful to her, everyone rejoiced with her. When the baby was eight days old, they all came for the circumcision ceremony. They wanted to name him Zechariah, after his father. But Elizabeth said, “No! His name is John!” “What?” they exclaimed. “There is no one in all your family by that name.” So they used gestures to ask the baby’s father what he wanted to name him. He motioned for a writing tablet, and to everyone’s surprise he wrote, “His name is John.” Instantly Zechariah could speak again, and he began praising God. Awe fell upon the whole neighborhood, and the news of what had happened spread throughout the Judean hills. Everyone who heard about it reflected on these events and asked, “What will this child turn out to be?” For the hand of the Lord was surely upon him in a special way. Luke 1:57-66

Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting for those who belong to the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and never treat them harshly. Children, always obey your parents, for this pleases the Lord. Fathers, do not aggravate your children, or they will become discouraged. Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything you do. Try to please them all the time, not just when they are watching you. Serve them sincerely because of your reverent fear of the Lord. Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ. But if you do what is wrong, you will be paid back for the wrong you have done. For God has no favorites. Colossians 3:18-25

Read More – Bible Project Overviews: Luke, Colossians