“And he must needs go through Samaria” (John 4:4). This is one of the most encouraging verses for lost, despised sinners in the entire Bible. Jesus and His disciples were travelling from Judea to Galilee. There were several roads that Jesus could have taken on His journey, but He chose this route in order to show His power and salvation in Samaria. Here, in a despised city, a sinner needed to be saved.

Because He was weary, Jesus stopped at Jacob’s well and sent His disciples ahead to buy meat. Sadly, the disciples do not show the kind of compassion to sinners as Jesus does, and so He wants to be alone while doing His Father’s work. As He rests, a woman comes to draw water. Generally in Bible times, the women went to the local well in groups in the morning and evening to draw water.

Because this woman was despised by others, having had five husbands, she went to draw water in the middle of the day when the other women would not be there. Approaching the well, she sees a man who is a Jew. Jesus knew the heart of this woman; He knew the fact that she was on husband number six. But as she is drawing water, Jesus being weary and thirsty, asks her to draw also for Him. Shocked, she asks, “How is it that thou, being a Jew, asketh drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria?” (John 4:9).

Jesus does not answer, “Despised Samaritan woman, why have you sinned so greatly that you are now on your sixth husband?” Instead, with great patience, Jesus begins dialoguing with this despised Samaritan. She, not knowing with whom she is speaking, questions Him. With each answer that Jesus gives, He draws her out. We would do well to practice this great act of wisdom when trying to reach a person who is living in sin. The first words out of our mouth should not be rebuking sin but establishing a sense of trust and concern. It is only then that we can get to a person’s heart.

Finally, Jesus tells her to call her husband. Jesus has built some trust by answering her many questions; now He needs to get to her heart. Still thinking He was a mere man, she says, “I have no husband” (John 4:17), to which Jesus affirms her answer — in fact, she has had five husbands. Jesus was not afraid to call out her sin, but He doesn’t leave her there.

Shocked, she declares Jesus to be a prophet. Her eyes are beginning to be opened and as she continues her questions, Jesus reveals Himself to her: “I that speak unto thee am he” (John 4:26). This was the Christ! Immediately, she leaves Jesus and goes back into the city declaring Christ to all whom she meets. Her mouth was opened, “Come ... is not this the Christ?” (John 4:29). The fruit in this woman’s life was already being evidenced and many Samaritans came not only to hear Jesus, but also believed on Him because of the “saying of the woman, which testified, He told me all things that ever I did” (John 4:39).

Is there a “needs be” why you are reading this article? Does Jesus need to work in your heart? Maybe you have lived a life of great sin, either publicly or privately. Jesus knows your heart. He comes to you each time you hear the word preached, each time you read your Bible. Go to Him with all your hard questions. He did not turn away the despised Samaritan woman who had five husbands, and He will not turn you away (John 6:37). No sinner is too great for Him to save.

Maybe the “needs be” is that your eyes have been opened and yet your mouth is still closed. If Jesus has touched your life, speak well of Him. Many believed because of this woman’s testimony. “Let your light so shine” (Matt. 5:16).

Lastly, could the “needs be” be that you know of a person living in sin and are afraid to speak to him or her? Jesus was not afraid of a person who was despised by others. Follow the example of your Master and go in faith. Seek out sinners. Tell all that Christ has done and been for you. And then, my friend, bring them to the feet of Jesus. He alone will satisfy thirsty souls.