August 14, 2024 Daily Dose of Discernment

Jesus left Judea and went back to Galilee. And He had to go through Samaria. (John 4:3-4)

Wait, what? He had to? When travelling between Judea and Galilee, the Jews bypassed Samaria because they despised them. To the Israelites, Samaritans were less holy half-breeds and did not fully belong to the people of God. Jesus really did not have to pass through that region to go back home. Except He had to. He, the Hound of Heaven, whose goodness is running after us, could not pass up the chance of giving living water to the woman at the well, who He knew was in desperate need of heavenly love but was looking in the wrong places. So instead of seeing the opposition, He saw an opportunity. And saved a life.

Like Jesus, we should not allow obstacles to stop us from imparting to others the life we received from Him. Many times those obstacles are our biases, apathy, and self-centeredness. May our zeal to proclaim His love to the world be greater.