1Now Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard that he was gaining and baptizing more disciples than John— 2although in fact it was not Jesus who baptized, but his disciples. 3So he left Judea and went back once more to Galilee.
4Now he had to go through Samaria. 5So he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground Jacob had given to his son Joseph.6Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about noon.
Thoughts: Jesus did not long to be persecuted. There are some who say he wanted to be crucified. But this passage indicates he was trying to avoid persecution leaving Judea where the Pharisees (who opposed him) had strength. Jesus took the shortcut through Samaria. We do not know why. Many Jews avoided Samaria. Jesus did not seek to go around Samaria in fear of being tarnished or in an effort to fuel prejudice against the Samaritans. Jesus came to Jacob's well. This was a place Jacob bought when he came back to the land and celebrated after crossing into the promised land.
Jesus showed his humanity here. He was tired and he was thirsty. If Jesus was just a phantom, or a spirit, he would not be tired or thirsty. Jesus was human and knows our weaknesses. Because Jesus understands, we can pray to Him with confidence.
Thoughts: Jesus did not long to be persecuted. There are some who say he wanted to be crucified. But this passage indicates he was trying to avoid persecution leaving Judea where the Pharisees (who opposed him) had strength. Jesus took the shortcut through Samaria. We do not know why. Many Jews avoided Samaria. Jesus did not seek to go around Samaria in fear of being tarnished or in an effort to fuel prejudice against the Samaritans. Jesus came to Jacob's well. This was a place Jacob bought when he came back to the land and celebrated after crossing into the promised land.
Jesus showed his humanity here. He was tired and he was thirsty. If Jesus was just a phantom, or a spirit, he would not be tired or thirsty. Jesus was human and knows our weaknesses. Because Jesus understands, we can pray to Him with confidence.
Prayer: Lord, thank you that you understand my weakness. Look upon me with mercy and favor.
(Traditional site of well at Sychar)
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