The other individual who Christ encountered in the year of obscurity is known as the woman at the well. This conversation is recorded in John 4. The first approach is found in verses 3 and 4. “He left Judaea, and departed again into Galilee. And he must needs go through Samaria.” This shows persistence in soul winning. The verse shows that it was a need for Christ to go through Samaria. I believe the reason for Christ to go through Samaria was to speak to the Samaritan woman. Christ had persistence to speak to this lady. In the field of soul winning, we need persistence like Christ. When we find opportunities, we should view these chances as needs rather than options. It should be a burning desire to reach every soul possible. It’s easier to say than to do. Although Christ’s passion for souls is unrivaled, we should use His example as a pattern to follow.
Another approach of soul winning is the quality of nondiscrimination. Christ’s encounter with a Samaritan woman at the well was against the norm. This was uncommon behavior among Jews. Samaritans were individuals of mixed race between Jews and other national races. Among Jews, the Samaritans were looked down upon. When Jews would travel, it was common to pass around Samaria. Christ did not pass around Samaria, but in fact, “He must needs go through Samaria.” God has absolutely no discrimination among his creation and He shows His love through His sacrificial death. John 3:16 says “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Jesus died for the whole world and not only for a certain people. In this account, the disciples marveled that Christ was speaking to a Samaritan woman. This is a great lesson for us. We should never pass over anyone who needs Christ. Many times, there are individuals who are looked down upon in our own eyes. The truth is that everyone needs Christ no matter what race, gender, or background. Live like Jesus and reach the world with the Gospel without discrimination.
(By Matthew Shold)
