“And he must needs go through Samaria” (John 4:4).

Our Lord Jesus Christ is the perfect example of what a missionary’s attitude should be as he seeks to acceptably serve. The following lessons can be learned from this famous story of the Lord’s dealings with the woman at the well. Our Lord was willing to go where no one else would even think of going—Samaria. In this area of central Palestine lived a group of displaced Gentiles called Samaritans. They were originally idolatrous and burnt their children in the fire (II Kings 17:31). The Jews hated them and would have no dealings with them (John 4:9). Yet, our Lord saw their lost, despised condition and went directly to them. A true missionary spirit is willing to go to those rejected by others. Our Lord spoke to multitudes but He also spoke to just one, the woman at the well. She was saved; then many Samaritans were saved (4:39); then many more were saved (4:41); then a multitude was saved (Acts 8:5,6). The one became a multitude. Our Lord was willing to put the spiritual ahead of the physical. “I have meat to eat that ye know not of” (4:23). Soul-winning sustained His soul and nourished His spirit. The soul-winner understands the tremendous fulfillment experienced in doing God’s work. Our Lord was willing to do and finish the Father’s will. “My meat is to do the will of Him that sent me, and to finish His work” (4:34). Every servant of Christ should have the same desire; being able one day to say with Paul, “I have finished my course” (II Timothy 4:7). Our Lord fully understood that “One soweth, and another reapeth” (4:37). “And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together” (4:36). In God’s time wages will be paid and rewards given. NPS