Compulsion

 And he had to pass through Samaria.
John 4:4 ESV
https://bible.com/bible/59/jhn.4.4.ESV

There are at least two ways of reading this verse. If we read it from a purely human perspective, we might assume that it was an unfortunate necessity for the Jewish rabbi Jesus to pass through mongrel Samaria. Certainly, when Jesus struck up a conversation with a Samaritan woman, He raised some eyebrows.

I don't think we should read this verse from a human perspective however. We need to see things from God's perspective. Did Jesus absolutely have to go through Samaria? I'm sure that humanly speaking, He could have taken the scenic route to avoid Samaria.

And yet Jesus 'had' to pass through Samaria. He 'had' to speak to the immoral Samaritan woman. He 'had' to reveal Himself to her as the Messiah, the Christ, the Saviour of the world. He 'had' to use that woman to glorify Himself amongst her entire community.

It doesn't matter if the world sees us as mongrels. It doesn't matter if the world sees us as immoral. If Christ comes to us, He brings salvation and reconciliation.

'Dear Lord, although in one sense You didn't 'have' to come to us and bring forgiveness and restoration, we're so grateful that You did. For Your eternal praise, amen'

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