Now he had to go through Samaria. (John 4:4)
Expanded Passage: John 4:4-8
My favorite part of human resources is assessing knowledge, skills, and abilities to determine job fit. I brought that into the church, teaching believers to find their fit in the kingdom using various methods such as the APEST test (apostle, prophet, evangelist, shepherd/pastor, teacher—Eph. 4:11). I was excited to learn my score, expecting teacher to be at the top. Nope. Evangelist. Evangelist? John the Evangelist wrote a whole book explaining why you should believe, and I’ve never even drawn a cross-bridge on a napkin.
In John 4:4, Jesus “had to go through Samaria.” Intentional in his ministry, he didn’t just have to take the quickest route to Galilee. He had to tell the woman her story so that she could tell his story. He had to surprise the disciples by talking to an unexpected audience. Jesus desires that his disciples will be just as intentional in our ministry. After his resurrection, he told his disciples, “You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria” (Acts 1:8). Jesus had to witness in Samaria because we have to witness in Samaria.
Jesus talked to people. He told stories. The APEST test’s description of evangelist includes being able to talk to anyone and being full of great stories that people want to hear. What greater story is there than how Jesus has transformed you? Who is waiting for you to tell your transformation story so that they can tell theirs?
Share the story of how Jesus transformed your life.
Priscilla Hammond is an ordained pastor and associate professor in the Benson School of Business at Southern Wesleyan University (SC).
© 2025 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
