Now Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard that he was gaining and baptizing more disciples than John— although in fact it was not Jesus who baptized, but his disciples. So he left Judea and went back once more to Galilee. Now he had to go through Samaria. So he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground Jacob had given to his son Joseph. Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about noon.

Routes in life matter. I am reminded of a trip I took with my family to go from Meridian, ID to Bozeman, MT to attend a family wedding. My kids still tease me about this trip to this day. We were in Northern Idaho heading up to Bozeman, and I had to take a client call. After I got back in the car and turned the map on, I followed it. A while later we started to go into a subdivision. I came to rest at a residential house. Problem was, I was supposed to be at a park in Bozeman. Instead I was in Helena, MT. Somehow my cell phone map app reprogrammed after my call and I was guided to the wrong address. It took us 90 minutes to get back and we were late for the rehearsal dinner.

In contrast, Jesus was taking the short route (not as directionally challenged as I am), but most of the Jews preferred the longer route. Why? Because by taking the longer route, they would not have to associate with the “half-breed” Samaritans (as they referred to them). They were a race of Jews that inter-married with the surrounding people-groups. The Samaritans worshipped God and mixed in some pagan practices and did not keep all of the strict rules of the Jews.

Jesus went the short way, but this was the way most would not go. True, he was likely saving a day and a half of walking. But there is something deeper here. It was hypocritical for the Jews to say they followed God and then to not love their neighbors, the Samaritans. Jesus was going to those who were outcasts to care for them. He was not going to skirt around an uncomfortable situation. And as we will find out in the next devotional, he addressed it with love and grace.

Where do my routes in life take me? Will I allow myself to be taken into uncomfortable situations to serve the Lord? In life, do I just play it safe? Will I allow God to stretch my faith?

Thank you, Lord, for the courage to be direct, take the direct routes in life, and call out hypocrisy in the church. May I act as you did, going to those who are hurting and broken and showing them the source of true spiritual life.