This

is one of my favorite verses in the Bible. It shows that although

Jesus wasn’t forced to do so, he “had

to go through Samaria.” This means he went intentionally, knowing

he had a mission to fulfill. And that was unusual, for in those days

Jews went out of their way not

to go through Samaria because the Jews and the Samaritans despised

one another.

Jesus,

in his close relationship with his Father, knew he had a job to do.

He had to go outside of the expected cultural and traditional norms

to offer grace and eternal life to a Samaritan woman, who then shared

the good news with her entire town (see John 4:27-32).

Living

in the freedom of the resurrection allows us to be intentional.

Jesus’ death and resurrection restored our relationship with God

and welcomes us to a place of full communion with him.

In

communion with God, we pray and listen to the Holy Spirit, who gives

us renewal and strength to go out and live intentionally, as Christ

did. We are to submit to one another and offer acceptance and grace

to everyone, including people outside our normal comfort zones—even

those who might be our enemies.

Today,

may the freedom and grace offered to you in Jesus empower you to

freely offer the same to others.