Jesus Will Travel Any Road

In the Gospel of John, Jesus encounters a Samaritan woman. In 2 Kings we are told the story of Assyria resettling Samaria with people from Babylon, Cuthah, Avva, Hamath, and Sepharvaim. The writer says, “So these nations worshipped the Lord, but also served their carved images; to this day their children and their children’s children continue to do as their ancestor’s did” (2 Kings 17:41).

The Jews in Jesus day would assert the same thing. The Samaritans and Jews had similar beliefs starting with the Pentateuch. However, the Samaritans had their own priesthood, their own unique worship practices and rituals, and religious teachings. In John 4, Jesus approaches the Samaritan women and starts a conversation. He takes the initiative and breaks down barriers. He guides the conversation into a discussion of spirituality. He also is contextual by making reference to “living water” which is found in Samaritan Wisdom literature. Jesus meets the Samaritan women at her point of need and teaches her truth. At the end of the story we are told that she left her water and ran back to the city. As a result, many Samaritans believed in him [Jesus] because of the woman’s testimony” (John 4: 39). When the Samaritans asked Jesus to stay with them, he stayed for two days. Jesus will travel any road to find those in need of grace.

In the novel The Shack, a character is confronted by Jesus. The following is a dialogue between Jesus and Mack. “Christian? Who said anything about being a Christian? I’m not a Christian.” The idea struck Mack as odd and unexpected and he couldn’t keep from grinning. “No,” he said. “I suppose you aren’t.” They arrived at the door of the workshop. Again, Jesus stopped. “Those who love me,” He looked at Mack, “Come from every system that exists. They were Buddhists or Mormons, Baptists or Muslims, Democrats, Republicans and many who don’t vote or are not part of any Sunday morning or religious institutions. I have followers who were murderers and many who were self-righteous. Some are bankers and bookies, Americans and Iraqis, Jews and Palestinians. I have no desire to make them Christian, but I do want to join them in their transformation into sons and daughters of my Papa, into my brothers and sisters, into my Beloved.” “Does that mean,” asked Mack, “that all roads lead to you?” “Not all,” smiled Jesus as he reached for the door handle to the shop. “What it means is that I will travel any road to find you.”