We have probably all heard the story of Jesus and the Samaritan woman. It’s one of those stories that is often used to show how Jesus went against prejudice, reaching out to the lowly Samaritans, and to women, who to Him were an important part of the mission.

But have you ever thought about the verse before the story, which says, He had to go through Samaria. He had to. He couldn’t walk around or bypass it. He knew there was a need there that needed to be met. He knew there was a lonely, lost, woman who would be used to change the entire Samaritan town where she lived. He knew that there was a person who was waiting to be changed and used.

The thing that gets me is that the woman probably didn’t realize that she needed change. She probably didn’t want to be used. She had been used her whole life, in all the wrong ways. In fact, she was at the well at a different time than all the other women went to the well. She wanted to avoid people, not have to interact with them.

But Jesus…

He broke all the customs. He broke all the rules. He saw past the traditions, and the prejudices, and the sentiments. He saw her. And when He saw her, he saw something of value.

No one else saw value. No one else saw someone worthy of another chance. No one else saw a person fit to draw from the well with the rest. They saw an outcast, a sinner, a person used up, a person of little value, of little worth, of little importance.

But Jesus…

See, Jesus always sees the hidden value. He always knows what can be. He sees the future. He knows the potential. He knows the desires of the heart. He knows what can become of someone who turns from their sin and gives themselves totally up to the love of God, the control of the Spirit, and the life of faith.

“And He had to pass through Samaria.” John 4:4

So, I don’t know where you are today. I don’t know what you have walked away from in order to avoid certain interactions. I don’t know how you have been used in your life that leaves you feeling unworthy of more.

But Jesus…

Jesus knows and He sees beyond what you can see. He sees the potential. He knows you are worth more than you realize. And He willingly gave Himself over to death on a cross to prove His love for you, and show you your worth.