Why Jesus Refused to Avoid Samaria—and Why We Should Stop Avoiding Ours

Avoiding Samaria was the respectable choice. Jesus chose obedience instead. When Scripture says He “had to” pass through Samaria, it points to divine purpose, not a lack of options. Jesus intentionally entered a place marked by division and went looking for someone overlooked. He didn’t wait for her to become acceptable. He met her at the well, named what was true, offered what was living, and turned her shame into a testimony.

You’re going to have “Samarias” too. The hard conversations, the uncomfortable places, the people you’ve written off, the parts of your story you keep circling instead of confronting. Avoidance feels safe, but it also keeps you stuck. Jesus shows us a better way: go where love leads, tell the truth without contempt, and trust that God does some of His best work in the places we’d rather bypass.