The Way That Goes Out Of The Way
The Scripture Texts:
And He (Jesus) had to pass through Samaria (John 4:4, ESV).
But the Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion (Luke 10:33, ESV).
Seeing the Way Jesus Walked
In first century Palestine, “the way” was more than a metaphor, it was the network of roads people traveled every day. Some paths were convenient, others avoided. Many Jews even took the long route around Samaria to avoid the people who shared their ancestry and history. Let’s be real, the Jews avoided Samaritans because they believed Samaritans were not their equal. Jesus, a Jew, chose differently. He walked straight into Samaria. He sat at a well with a woman others ignored and restored, not only her dignity, but her long desired fellowship with the Father. When He revealed Himself as the Messiah who is “the way, the truth, and the life,” He was not only revealing Himself to the Samaritan woman, He revealed to us how He walks through the world. Jesus’ way is compassionate, a way that moves toward people, not around them.
Kindness that Steps in, Not Around
Jesus’ parable of the Good Samaritan echoes the same truth. Two religious men saw thewounded traveler and kept going. The Samaritan (imagine that-the one who was neverconsidered to be “good enough”) saw him and stopped. But the Good Samaritan did not justpause and stop with sympathy. He lifted the man, carried him to safety, paid for his care, andpromised to return. For the wounded man, this was not only a way out of danger; it was a waythat most likely led to a Christ-honoring relationship between two unlikely friends. Jesus wasteaching us that kindness is not accidental. It is intentional. It costs us something, ourconvenience. It lifts someone until they can stand again.
Takeaway for the Week
To follow Jesus, THE One who is THE Way, we must be willing to go out of our way for others. His compassion was never confined to convenience; it moved toward people others avoided, paused when others rushed past, and lifted those who had fallen until they could stand again. Kindness that reflects Christ is not accidental or effortless. It is intentional, restorative, and willing to stretch beyond our routines so someone else can rise. When we walk Christ’s way, we choose the longer road if it means carrying His heart.
Go out of your way and do at least one of the following:
Blessings,
Pastor Zhivago Adderley
And He (Jesus) had to pass through Samaria (John 4:4, ESV).
But the Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion (Luke 10:33, ESV).
Seeing the Way Jesus Walked
In first century Palestine, “the way” was more than a metaphor, it was the network of roads people traveled every day. Some paths were convenient, others avoided. Many Jews even took the long route around Samaria to avoid the people who shared their ancestry and history. Let’s be real, the Jews avoided Samaritans because they believed Samaritans were not their equal. Jesus, a Jew, chose differently. He walked straight into Samaria. He sat at a well with a woman others ignored and restored, not only her dignity, but her long desired fellowship with the Father. When He revealed Himself as the Messiah who is “the way, the truth, and the life,” He was not only revealing Himself to the Samaritan woman, He revealed to us how He walks through the world. Jesus’ way is compassionate, a way that moves toward people, not around them.
Kindness that Steps in, Not Around
Jesus’ parable of the Good Samaritan echoes the same truth. Two religious men saw thewounded traveler and kept going. The Samaritan (imagine that-the one who was neverconsidered to be “good enough”) saw him and stopped. But the Good Samaritan did not justpause and stop with sympathy. He lifted the man, carried him to safety, paid for his care, andpromised to return. For the wounded man, this was not only a way out of danger; it was a waythat most likely led to a Christ-honoring relationship between two unlikely friends. Jesus wasteaching us that kindness is not accidental. It is intentional. It costs us something, ourconvenience. It lifts someone until they can stand again.
Takeaway for the Week
To follow Jesus, THE One who is THE Way, we must be willing to go out of our way for others. His compassion was never confined to convenience; it moved toward people others avoided, paused when others rushed past, and lifted those who had fallen until they could stand again. Kindness that reflects Christ is not accidental or effortless. It is intentional, restorative, and willing to stretch beyond our routines so someone else can rise. When we walk Christ’s way, we choose the longer road if it means carrying His heart.
Go out of your way and do at least one of the following:
- Notice the person others overlook and pause long enough to truly see them. Ask them their name.
- Lift someone who has fallen by offering support that helps them stand again.
Blessings,
Pastor Zhivago Adderley
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