Musing - What might happen if we do not take the bypass?

Hebraic Musing - What might happen if we do not take the bypass?

Chapter 4 in John’s book describes a strange choice by Jesus that occurred right after John the Baptist testified about Jesus' identity.  Why did Jesus ignore the bypass and go through Samaria?  Was it because He was in a hurry, or was he on a memorable mission to talk to the Samaritan woman?

The word "bypass" often refers to a highway around the heavy traffic of a city, which is busy because of people, sights, cultures, churches, schools, historical attractions, etc.  So we take the bypass because we are in a hurry. Why are we always in a hurry?  Who gives us time?  Jesus bypassed the bypass because "Now he had to go through Samaria." John 4.4.  Maybe we should do what Jesus would do and talk to a Samaritan woman.  Notice that he developed a relationship by approaching, listening and letting her ask questions.

A little background will help us to appreciate the deep schism between the Jews (Southerners) and the Samaritans (Northerners). Note that these differences are not unlike differences we experience with "other people groups" in our daily walk, e.g. our continuing “civil war.”  Who are the Samaritans?

Because of their imperfect adherence to Judaism and their partly pagan ancestry, the Samaritans were despised by ordinary Jews. Rather than contaminate themselves by passing through Samaritan territory, Jews who were traveling from Judea to Galilee or vice versa would cross over the river Jordan, bypass Samaria by going through Transjordan, and cross over the river again as they neared their destination. The Samaritans also harbored antipathy toward the Jews (Lk 9:52-53).  

That the Samaritans were separated from and looked down upon by the Jews makes them important in the New Testament. Jesus indicated a new attitude must be taken toward the Samaritans when he passed through their towns instead of crossing the Jordan to avoid them (Jn 4:4-5).  He spoke with a Samaritan woman, contrary to Jewish custom (Jn 4:9).  He said a time would come when worshiping in Jerusalem or on Mount Gerazim would not be important (Jn 4:21-24). When asked whom to regard as our neighbor, Jesus told the story of the Good Samaritan precisely because Samaritans were despised.

Source - Catholics.com  (I realize some may stumble over the message in this musing because I cite a Catholic source.  I could not bypass it.  It was the clearest statement found in the Google search.)

Do we find ourselves taking a bypass so as to avoid meeting and having to deal with  people of different dress styles, skin colors, languages, education, criminal pasts, body art, drinking habits, socio-economic status or (worst of all) denominations or belief differences?  They too are created by and loved by Almighty God.

Point to ponder

What Would Jesus Do?
Would He take a bypass and miss an opportunity?

P.S.  Years ago there were two young ladies in our church who attended every service but observed from a seat in the foyer.  I don’t think they felt welcome because of their wildly colored hair styles and enough body metal to fail a metal detector scan. 

One Sunday after completing ushering duties, I invited them to come and sit in our pew and be a part of our family.  They accepted, enjoyed and made new friends.  Shortly thereafter, we moved to Europe for three years.  When we returned those two ladies were in leadership roles in the church.

Shalom y’all                                                                                        November 17, 2015   

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd,   Author:                       

“Hebraic Insights”  “Biblical_Marriage” “Musings v.1 – A Victorious Life”
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