A woman of Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.” For His disciples had gone away into the city to buy food. (John 4:7-8)

 

It’s noteworthy to see that Jesus chose to meet with the Samaritan woman alone.

 

Being in a place of strife between the Jews and the Samaritans, the disciples were sent to get food. This is the wisdom of God. Some folks don’t need to be in the room when Jesus is working with someone.

 

While they were gone, Jesus tenderly speaks with a woman at the well.

 

At that moment He broke two traditions. One, talking with a woman. Two, talking with a Samaritan.

 

Here we have the kind bridegroom clearing the room for an unsuspecting woman who was likely an outcast in society because she had no husband. That was demoralizing for any woman in their culture.

 

Yet Jesus sets His GPS to go right to her regardless of all that was tradition.

 

“But He needed to go through Samaria.” (John 4:3)

 

In the course of the chapter, we see Christ offering Himself to her as the bridegroom that John the Baptist was preaching about in the previous chapter.

 

I imagine Christ needed those disciples out of His way because their traditions would not have allowed them to see the woman with divine eyes. Their hearts were tainted with historical perspectives and years of cultural upbringing.

 

When they return, they “marveled that He talked with a woman.” (John 4:27)

 

After the conversations with Jesus, the woman runs to town and “said to the men…come see a man…”

 

John 4:39 And many of the Samaritans of that city believed in Him because of the word of that woman who testified.”

 

Sometimes traditions become hindrances to the gospel, thus Jesus will quickly clear the room, so His mission is not compromised.

 

I’ve learned it’s sometimes best for us to clear the room too…otherwise, heart biases and longtime traditions will be a tool of the devil.