Iron Rose Sister Ministries

Written by Rianna Elmshaeuser, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Colorado

You are the main character in your story. Everyone in your life is a supporting character or background extra. But rather than asking ourselves what everyone else’s role is in our lives, the question we need to be pondering is, who am I in God’s story? Am I a background character? Am I a lead role or an extra? There are natural objections to this idea that will come to the mind of the average Christian. After all, God has an important role for each of us—a purpose—and that is absolutely correct.

But let’s take a moment and imagine a movie that has only the lead character in it. It is flat and uninteresting. There is no one to help move the plot along, no one to create drama, no colorful characters having coffee in the background of a coffee shop. Extras, background characters, supporting roles, and lead roles are all crucial to creating a vivid and exciting story.

Keep this thought in mind as we look at the relationships of Paul, Silas, Barnabas, and Timothy. The partnership between Paul and Barnabas begins in Acts 13 and continues until they have a falling out in Acts 15. Their partnership begins at the prompting of the Holy Spirit. Acts 13:2 tells us, “…the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them’” (ESV). After this event, they are sent out into a whirlwind of ministry and trouble. They would enter a city and preach, then be forced to flee from persecution. Throughout these chapters, it is only Paul’s sermons that are recorded.

The Apostle Paul was the greatest evangelist of the early church, if not of all time, aside from Jesus, of course. But would Paul have been able to keep on through persecution and being stoned without so faithful a friend as Barnabas? When Paul was lying on the ground outside the city where the Jews had thrown his mangled body, assuming him dead, would he have had the strength to get up without his friends surrounding him? Perhaps we are not a Paul, the lead role who stirred up every city he entered, converted thousands upon thousands, and wrote a large portion of the New Testament. But the Pauls of today need a Barnabas beside them, encouraging them, picking them up when they are down, and standing beside them when hard times come.

Silas had a similar role in God’s story. He was a partner and friend to Paul after his disagreement with Barnabas. Again, none of Silas’s sermons are recorded, only Paul’s, but they were together in the thick of it. When they were both beaten and thrown in prison, would either of them have found the strength to continue without the other? Imagine being in the dark in chains, badly beaten, and then you hear the clinking of chains and feel your friend’s hand on your arm as they begin to pray with you. As you pray, your hearts grow lighter and you both break into song, praising God. Friendships are of utmost importance and can serve as the guardrail that keeps people from careening over the edge into darkness.

Lastly, consider the relationship of Paul and Timothy. Paul and Silas met Timothy in Derbe and Lystra. Timothy was a young man whose mother and grandmother were believers, but his father was not. He was well spoken of by the church and Paul took him under his wing. We know from 1 Timothy 1:2 that they grew so close that their relationship became that of a father and son. Paul refers to Timothy as, “…my true child in the faith.”

Perhaps you are the one that needs mentoring or maybe you know someone that needs a mentor. On the hero’s Journey, there is always a mentor for the young hero who passes on wisdom to the upcoming generation. Today we do not have to look very far to find a young person struggling along in need of a mentor. Even young ones who come from a believing home need a mentor. Parents cannot be everywhere and see everything all the time. They need others to fill in the gaps.

If you have asked yourself, “What role do I play in God’s story,” and concluded that you are not a lead, rest assured that your role is just as important as someone in the spotlight. Even the people who are not mentioned by name had important roles in the ministry of Paul. They sent money, prayers, and letters encouraging him and other saints. Every person has an important part to play in the story of God, even if it seems negligible by human standards. What is your role in God’s story?

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Written by Johanna Zabala, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Ecuador

We cannot always be there to teach others directly, but God, the Architect of Life, in His great promise of love, left us the great Comforter, the Holy Spirit, who will always be with us to guide and teach us (John 14:26).

From the beginning, our Creator has given us precious samples of His immense faithfulness (Gen. 1-2; Ps. 19). For this reason, my beloved, when Jesus was here on earth, He experienced situations similar to ours. He was born, raised, taught, modeled, died, and rose again out of love for all mankind (John 3:16-17). For this reason, I certainly consider that when we read about His life and work, He teaches us infinite truths that only come from Him.

By living a life in Christ, there are many opportunities that, as Christian women, mothers, daughters, and citizens, we have to teach and instruct each other. We likely communicate knowledge in different ways and in different situations where we find ourselves. Daring to teach and instruct the precepts of the Heavenly Father is a divine privilege that leads us to obey His commandment to go and make disciples in every nation, teaching them what He Himself has commanded in order to increase their faith and belief that He will be with us every day until the end of the age (Matt. 28:16-20).

From the moment I was baptized, I have been learning to be a disciple of the Lord. My brothers and sisters in the same faith were in charge of igniting the flame of instructing me in the path leading me to fulfill the most significant profession of serving the Almighty. Some of them are no longer here on earth, but I continue with the teachings that they instilled in me.

I became a mother at the same time that I met God, and I am grateful with all my being, and to the glory of God, because my first daughter grew up in the instruction of fearing and loving the Lord; this brings peace to my heart (Prov. 22:6). Confident in the divine magnificence and in biblical promises, I have always believed in the power of the Holy Spirit and His guidance in everything that lies ahead and as the light that illuminates my feet in each step that I take (Ps. 119:105).

In my experience as a mother, I can say that the transformation that has been done in me served as an example and will continue to show steps for my daughter to continue growing toward the goal of gaining eternal life.

Every day, immersed in faith, I have learned to be constantly under the direction of the Holy Spirit, sharing the Word, praying and being in communion with others, continuing to follow the example of Christ, who despite not being here physically, allows us to follow His beautiful footsteps while holding His hand.

The particular result that we achieve, by learning directly from the grace of the One who knows everything, allows me to continue in the lessons learned, and to continue teaching others in this way at all times. When I no longer am among my friends and loved ones, I know that they will know how to advance in the footsteps of the Master and His teachings, and this conviction arises from His love and from continuing to follow the leadings of the Holy Spirit.

At this moment, my daughter and I are pilgrims or foreigners in other people's lands, and the Holy Spirit has given us many lessons for our edification. I am sure that if we are separated due to travel or other situations, we can remember those lessons to encourage us to always continue learning and teaching others.

The certainty that He is always there and that He will be there until the end of the age motivates me, and hopefully all of us, to consider that, even when we are no longer here, our children, students, or disciples will not deviate for any reason from His commandments and the ultimate goal of eternity with God.

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Written by Karyn Dancy, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Arkansas

There are many different styles of teaching. What I’ve found most effective, though, is intentional teaching through relationships. Paul gives us examples of this, especially in his relationship with Timothy.

I used to be a classroom teacher at the elementary level. I worked in two low-performing schools and I was told from the beginning by other teachers that these children were worthless. It was appalling to me that anyone would say such a thing. As a new teacher, I went in, excited to share some of the resources I’d learned about in school with the other teachers, and the response was actually that these children weren’t worth the effort. This started my determination to show those children and their families that they were very valuable and capable. I wanted them to know they weren’t limited by the expectations of others, not even teachers.

I set out to show the students and their families that they were important to me by building relationships with them. I learned about their cultures and invited them to share things in the classroom that were important to them. Many of them came from immigrant families, so we had a great opportunity to share the diversity of their cultures in the classroom.

Each month we featured a language of the month. The quiet signal for that month would be counting to five in that language and I would teach the kids common words. They would earn points for good behavior, and then at the end of the month, we would have a cultural celebration. (We weren’t allowed to have “parties.”) I invited parents to share about their cultures and bring food for the kids to sample. One particular family was a great example of how that relationship benefited their student. Our language of the month was Samoan. When I asked the student’s mother to help me with the basics of the language, she not only did so but also became active in the classroom in many other ways. Previously her son had not been the best student, but once his mom took an interest in the class, so did he. It was like they were invested in the learning process once they felt valued. It turned out that the student’s grandfather was a tribal chief back in Samoa and had made a video of how to harvest coconut. The student’s mom brought the video in to share with the whole class.

The way it all worked out, once I’d built a foundation of relationship with these children and their families, they came alongside me and cared about what I had to share with them. I was able to teach more effectively because they trusted me. When there was any particular difficulty, for example, math with fractions, we’d explore different activities that would help them until we found what worked best for them.

These students were sixth graders at the time. It’s been about 18 years now, and I still keep in touch with some of those families. It was a very rewarding experience.

Similarly, Paul built a relationship with Timothy. Then Paul mentored and equipped Timothy to follow him as he followed Christ, and Timothy was then able to do the same with his students. Paul didn’t only want his students to learn information; he wanted them to act on that knowledge. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 9:19 that he became like the people he was teaching so that those people could relate to him and believe. Paul shows us through his example how a teacher positively reinforces through encouragement, modeling, and monitoring. The relationship didn’t end when he handed things over to a student to become a teacher. He followed up because it was a true relationship, not simply a means to an end.

Since you’re reading this, I know you care about relationships with your sisters in Christ. Keep building and nurturing those. Let’s follow Paul’s example. We can be the students. We can find mentors to trust and build relationships with. Then we can pass on what we’ve learned to others, with our own added flavor, and keep the process going to win as many as possible and build each other up.

#IronRoseSister #teachthroughrelationships #learnthroughrelationships #intentionalteaching #valueothers #trust #mentoring #teachbyexample #intentionalteaching #blog #guestwriter

Written by Beliza Patrícia, Brazil Coordinator for Iron Rose Sister Ministries

When we think of the 12 apostles and the time in which they walked with Jesus on this earth, it is easy to imagine them as Jesus’ helpers. But when a master finishes a job, the helper doesn’t have any more tasks. In reality, the apostles were more like interns. In other words, throughout the time that Jesus was with the apostles, He was preparing them so that when the moment came that He would no longer be with them, they would be prepared to take on the role of presenting the gospel to the world.

Jesus came to the earth to accomplish a mission, and for the three years of His ministry He prepared the apostles for the mission they would have after His departure. The Teacher chose humble men to proclaim His Kingdom and taught them about eternal life, forgiveness of sins, and the love of the Father. Day after day the apostles walked by His side: talking with Him, asking questions, listening to parables, seeing the manifestation of His power healing the sick, expelling demons, performing miracles, and witnessing His disapproval of the behavior of the teachers of the law. By association and personal contact, Christ prepared the apostles for His service.

In recounting the events of Jesus’ last days on earth, John wrote in his gospel:

It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. (John 13:1 NIV)

Throughout His time on earth, Jesus showed the apostles that He loved them. And it was with love that He prepared and equipped those who became the leaders of His church. With love he sent them to preach the gospel to all of creation.

Knowing that His ministry on earth was coming to an end and that He would no longer be with those who walked with Him on His journey, Jesus made recommendations and promises to the apostles (John 14, 15, and 16). Like a good teacher, He encouraged them and prepared them for the future. He alerted them about the persecution they would suffer for obeying the Savior.

One of the promises that Jesus made was to send them the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, who would comfort them and testify of Jesus. The Holy Spirit would empower them to succeed along the way. The gospel was not proclaimed by human strength or wisdom, but by the power of God.

And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. (John 14:16,17)

After Jesus’ death, the apostles were to be Christ’s witnesses and to proclaim to the world what they had seen and heard from Him. They were to be God’s collaborators in the salvation of mankind. It was to fulfill this role that these men, so different from each other, were chosen and prepared. This may seem like a grandiose mission for such simple men, but those who heard them marveled… because they didn’t speak about themselves, but were presenting the way to the Savior. The apostles’ teaching declared that everything they did came from the power of Christ.

The apostles were prepared for the mission through their relationship with Jesus, the Son of God, and then continued their mission with the Comforter, the Holy Spirit of God, who taught them what was needed, and who reminded them of the teachings of Jesus. God was in relationship with the apostles all along.

God also wants to be in relationship with us. With love He wants to prepare us for our mission, and when we are baptized in the name of Jesus, we receive the Holy Spirit that comforts, orients, and intercedes for us. “Come near to God and he will come near to you!” (James 4:8)

#IronRoseSister #teachthroughrelationships #learnthroughrelationships #intentionalteaching #HolySpirit #preparation #Jesuspreparedthedisciples #Godwaswiththedisciples #blog #guestwriter

Written by Lindsay Richardson, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Tennessee

Jesus teaches us through His actions, words, and experiences.

He uses a variety of methods to reach His people— in tangible ways that we can understand as well. Here are some of His teaching styles:

• Parables/illustrations
• Storytelling/teachable moments
• Performing miracles/healing
• Speaking to crowds
• Reciting scripture
• Teaching us how to pray/through prayer
• Leading by example and actions
• Asking questions
• From experiences/hands-on
• Repetition

Using parables. Jesus would use stories to help illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson. The depiction of the prodigal son in Luke 15:11-32 is an amazing story of redemption. A son left home and squandered all his inheritance, sinning against his father. In verse 24, the father is filled with compassion when he sees his son returning. “’ For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.” (NIV) Jesus told this parable to teach us that God’s love is endless and unconditional. It is never too late to turn from our sinful ways and come back to the Father.

Teachable moments. Jesus and His disciples were on a boat when a storm came. Jesus was asleep. Jesus used this opportunity to teach a lesson about putting their FULL trust in Him.

The disciples woke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!” (Mark 4: 38b-41)

Speaking to crowds. One of the most famous sermons of all time happened on a hill overlooking the Sea of Galilee. It is referred to as the “Sermon on the Mount.” At this time Jesus used the opportunity to speak to a large crowd that had gathered to hear Him teach many things, including what are known as the Beatitudes (Matt. 5-7).

Performing miracles. In Matthew 14, we see how He performed the miracle of the feeding of the 5,000. This miracle became a teachable moment as well for the disciples, as they were able to feed all of the hungry people (from just five loaves of bread and two fish).

Teaching how to pray. Jesus also taught His people how to pray. In Matthew 6, He tells us how to pray… and the Lord’s Prayer is widely prayed and recited by millions all over the world to this day.

Leading by example. Jesus was baptized by John. He paved the way and led by example for us; His baptism also signifying the start of His earthly ministry that would eventually lead to His death on the cross. At the moment of His baptism, the heavens were opened and God’s voice proclaimed, “This is my Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matt. 3:17b).

Asking questions. Often throughout scripture Jesus would answer a question with a question. At times, He would also present a question in the form of a challenge, or a question to add emphasis to make His point. “If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?” (Matt. 6:30) Also we find in Mark, “Which is easier: to say to the paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’?” (Mark 2:9)

Each of us is unique and we each have different learning styles. Jesus taught everyone in such a wide array of styles to make sure everyone that was able could hear, see, and understand Him.May we have the eyes to see, and the ears to hear!

Written by Jocelynn Goff, mother of Iron Rose Sister Ministries’ Founder and Director Michelle J. Goff

What’s your learning style? I’ve been asked that question at several medical appointments. The nurse wanted to know how I would best receive the information and directions from the doctor.

There is purpose in knowing our own learning style for ourselves, in a classroom, our workplace, a doctor’s appointment, daily conversations, and more. There’s also purpose for understanding this in our relationships and interactions with others. When we interact with a child, family member, friend, neighbor, or coworker it is helpful if we can understand even a little bit of how they learn to have realistic expectations for their retaining the information we are sharing.

There are four basic types of learning styles: visual, auditory, read/write, and kinesthetic.

If I’m a visual learner, then the doctor’s approach could be to show me a picture of the affected part of my body or write a list of directions out for me. To help myself process and retain learning I could use a picture, a graph, a daily organizer, a list, or see a finished product. In relationships, I could utilize those same tools. Obviously, it would be a natural process and not a “let me teach you this way” kind of format.

For an auditory learner, the doctor may give verbal instructions and quite possibly ask me to repeat them back to him. To help myself or in relationships, I could possibly ask if the information can be repeated back either verbatim or by rewording it using their or my own words. A song can also be a useful tool for imparting information. Family stories passed down through the generations are an additional significant, powerful learning tool.

If read/write is my best learning style, then the doctor may share a website for me to research or give me a printed copy of the diagnosis and instructions. Additionally, I can seek other reliable sources in books, websites, journals, or other recommended documents. For myself and in relationships, rewriting the information or just reading it for myself are useful tools.

For a kinesthetic learner, a hands-on approach is best, so the doctor may use a model of the affected body part for me to touch and possibly a simulation of movements that are helpful in the healing process. For myself and in relationships, effective hands-on types of activities include drawing, cooking, eating, taking a hike alone or with a friend, planting a garden, or creating an artistic design.

God, who created learning styles, used all of them in the celebration of the Passover meal. Before Easter, I was reading about Pesach Seder (Passover meal) in an article our Bible class teacher shared. This part of the reading jumped out at me,

“…the Pesach Seder is one of the most carefully constructed learning experiences ever created. In an amazing combination of aural and tactile learning tasks, the Seder has something for everybody—a drink, food, symbols, prayers, songs, stories, philosophy, text study, simulations, ritual actions—all designed with one overall goal” to take each person at the Seder back to Egypt, to re-enact the dramatic Exodus story, to make each one of us feel as she or he had actually been redeemed from Mitzrayim (Egypt).”This exposure in all of the learning styles ensures that the overall goal is accomplished for each individual to experience Passover and its significant meaning.

Similarly, Jesus, as the Master Teacher, employed all of the learning styles. For the visual learner, He let His listeners visualize the birds of the air and the lilies of the field in Matthew 6:25-33. For the auditory learner, He gave the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5-7. For the read/write learner as He spoke to an expert in the Law, “What is written in the Law?” He replied, “How do you read it?” (Luke 10:26). For the kinesthetic learner, there are a plethora of examples, such as when He feeds the 5,000 (Mark 6:30). He even employs several styles at once when He draws with His finger on the ground (John 8:6). Jesus is truly the Master Teacher and gives us every opportunity to know Him and learn from His teachings in our own learning style.

The book, Called to Listen by Michelle J. Goff, employs the various learning styles through 40 days of listening: “to the Good Shepherd, the Creator, the Father, the Son, the Spirit, and through the five senses.” This may even expand your learning abilities in styles you’ve previously been unaware of that speak to you.

I encourage you to find your learning style and begin to recognize this in the relationships around you. I invite you to read Called to Listen to hear the message our Heavenly Father speaks “… through His Word, through nature, through Christian brothers and sisters, even through silence…” This book offers you prompts to use your five senses and explore your learning style.

So, are you primarily a visual, auditory, read/write, or kinesthetic learner? Share or demonstrate in the comments!

Footnote:
This Seder outline was adapted from The Art of Jewish Living: The Passover Seder by Dr. Ron Wolfson, published by the Federation of Jewish Men’s Clubs and the University of Judaism, 1988. Additions and edits by Daniel B. Stockstill, 1999.

Written by Michelle J. Goff, Founder and Director of Iron Rose Sister Ministries

“Here am I, send me!” (Is. 6:8)

Stubborn, independent, and strong-willed have described me since early childhood. Facing a challenging character quality in her daughter, my mom remembers hearing a helpful interpretation of “Train up a child in the way he should go…” (Prov. 22:6) during her child-raising years. Instead of the continual frustration of squelching the strong will of four daughters, find out the way each of them should go and point them in a Kingdom direction. Or, “Train up a child in the way SHE should go…” (emphasis added).

If Michelle was going to be stubborn, may she stubbornly cling to God’s Word. If her way was independent, may it be as an independent follower of Christ, especially when those around her were not following Him. If she should continue her strong-willed spirit, may her will align with God’s will and uncompromisingly obey Him.

Stubborn independence can also be used to describe pioneers. Uncharted territory must be discovered by those willing to go where others haven’t or won’t. In missions and in ministry, I have always felt called to go where others were less willing or able to go. When I first felt called into full-time missions, God was leading me to help establish a congregation in north Bogotá.

“Here am I, send me!”

The doors in Colombia were beginning to open as a safer place for North Americans to live, while many still feared the horror stories of kidnappings. North Bogotá was the direction in which the capital city was expanding. Yet there were still many doubts, especially about sending a single woman to serve there.

When I shared with my parents my desire to go and to serve in Colombia, as my Christian brother and sister they affirmed that they honored my desire to answer His call… Who were they to argue with the same God they served? Additionally, my mom said, “As your Christian sister, I support you and am proud of you. But as your mom, Aaaaaaaahhhhhhh! (I’m scared!)”

I appreciated her honesty. And I continued to pray for wisdom in answering that call. God allowed me to hold onto that dream, the seed He had planted. I was able to be a part of the North Bogotá congregation’s first meeting in March 2000, their one-year anniversary in 2001, and continual visits three to four times a year through late 2006.

By early 2000, when I first started visiting Bogotá, I had already been to Venezuela several times, where the political situation was deteriorating (opposite of Colombia where things were growing and strengthening). In 1999, I had also begun work with a new congregation being established in Cozumel, México. Phil and Donna Waldron were the on-the-ground missionaries invested in the work there. I coordinated campaign groups from Harding University and the North Atlanta Church of Christ, where I worked at the time.

There was always a long list of those interested in partnering with the work there in Cozumel. Some of you may remember that it was in Cozumel that I first learned to drive a stick shift because that was the only way to get to a Bible study (story in Ch. 11 of One Single Reason: Conversations with Single Women).

Even though the opportunities in Cozumel grew and I felt qualified to serve there, I felt more called to go where others were less likely to go. Having already achieved a certain mastery level of Spanish, being dark haired with dark eyes, I could blend more easily into the variety of skin colors, even as fair skinned as mine, found in Venezuela and Colombia.

“Here am I, send me!”

The pioneering spirit God gave me as an oldest child, through my innate stubbornness, independence, and strong will, allowed me to answer that call. God used the passion He gave me for languages to develop a very natural Venezuelan accent.

And now, as I strive to learn Portuguese, I wonder how God will equip me, as He did Isaiah, because of a willing spirit to serve. God excels in equipping the called instead of calling the equipped. That way, He gets all the glory.

Iron Rose Sister Ministries began because God revealed a tremendous need, stepping into an area of ministry that no one else was addressing. Women long to be in authentic relationships, but often lack the tools to do so. We exist to equip women to connect to God and to one another more deeply.

I have taught and learned in more diverse contexts that I would’ve ever asked or imagined. But God… I love that phrase! But God, in His infinite wisdom, longs to teach us in places that others may have never chosen to learn. Yet when we meet Him there, when we answer His call, He is waiting to reveal His truths in deeper and broader ways,

Where will you be open to letting God use you to teach or to learn today?
Remember to answer, “Here am I, send me!”

Written by Deanna Brooks, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Arkansas

Samaria: the region between Judea in the south and Galilee in the north of the Promised Land. It was the area given to Ephraim and Manasseh, sons of Joseph, when Israel entered the land. Second Kings 17:24-33 gives us background about the Samaritans. After the Assyrians conquered the Northern Kingdom and took most of the Israelite people into captivity, they resettled that land with foreigners. Those people intermarried with the Israelites who were left in the region, creating a mixed race that became known as Samaritans. They were hated by the Jews because even though they worshipped the Lord, pagan gods had been brought in, and they also worshipped those foreign gods. The Samaritans only accepted the first five books of the Old Testament. They chose to worship on Mt Gerizim rather than in Jerusalem. In AD 6, Samaritans desecrated the Jewish temple by putting human bones in the temple porches and sanctuary during Passover.

Despite the hostility Jews felt towards Samaritans, Jesus chose to walk through their land in a time when “Righteous Jews” traveling between Galilee and Judea would avoid going through Samaria by crossing to the eastern side of the Jordan River, adding about three days to the journey.

John 4:4-6 tells us Jesus had to go through Samaria. He stopped in the town of Sychar (Old Testament Shecham) to rest at Jacob’s well. It was about noon, and He was weary. Jesus made at least seven round trips between Jerusalem and Galilee during His ministry, and this is the only time we are told the route He took. Focus on the word “had” in verse 4. The literal Greek translation is “it was necessary.”

Why did Jesus “have to” go through Samaria when other Jews either chose not to go through there at all, or to pass through as quickly as possible? I believe Jesus went because He intended to meet the woman at the well. He knew she would be coming for water. She, however, had no idea what that daily trip to the well would bring.

Throughout the Scriptures, we see how God has pursued mankind. Even though she was not looking for Jesus, He was looking for her. Jesus stopped at the well to rest and His disciples went into town to buy food. While they were gone, the woman came to the well to draw water where she met Jesus. When the disciples returned, they marveled that He was talking to a woman… a Samaritan woman at that, but surprisingly, none of them asked why. Perhaps it was because it was early in Jesus’ ministry, and they were already learning that their Teacher did the unexpected.

In John 4:26 Jesus reveals to the woman that He is the Messiah she is expecting. In verse 28 she leaves her water jug and rushes back into town to share the news that she has found the Messiah, and the whole village comes out to hear Him. As the village people talk to Jesus, they ask Him to stay, and He spends two days with them (verses 40-43).

We learn: Even though we may not be looking for God, He is looking for us.

The time would come when Jesus would tell His disciples to “make disciples of all nations” (Matt. 28:19). His last words before ascending back to the Father were, “You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8). Jesus was preparing them to hear those words by setting an example. He “had to” go through Samaria because He wanted to reach this one woman, and through her, He would reach her whole village… Samaritans… the people who were half Jew and half Gentile… hated and despised.

From this encounter we learn that cultural or racial prejudices must not affect our decision to teach others, and this command often leads down a path we did not plan.

Today, we have our own “Samaritans,” those who, for any number of reasons, are outside our circle of friends or our comfort zone. Are we pursuing them to share the story of Jesus as intently as God has pursued us?