JOHN Chapter 4 verses 1-4 (NIV)
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.
Jesus didn’t need the recognition that came with increasing followers. He is the Son of God but did not seek to show off His status in the wrong sense. It appears the Pharisees may have sought to cause division between John’s disciples and Jesus’ disciples, so Jesus left the area. He didn’t need to make a fuss. Rather than accumulate status and following, He took a road back to Galilee, that most “good Jews” avoided. He took the shorter road that led through Samaria, so that He could keep a divine appointment with one Samaritan woman.
Jesus is interested in us as individuals. He doesn’t count heads as people come into church on a Sunday morning. He looks at their hearts and wants them to hear what God has to say. Much has been published of late about the “Quiet Revival” in the UK which records increasing numbers of people, particularly men, coming to church and finding Christ. In this we rejoice and are glad, but we need to remember that individuals are more important than the headcount.
Dear Lord,
Thank You for reminding me that You went out of Your way to minister to one woman. Help me always to be led by the Holy Spirit, even if it means taking an unexpected course of action. I’m grateful for Your love and care to me as an individual. May my attitude never be more concerned with appearances rather than grace and mercy. I ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen.