Sychar in Samaria - John 4:5

John the apostle wrote, “When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John, (Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,). He left Judaea, and departed again into Galilee. And he must needs go through Samaria”, and in chapter four and verse five of his book, John shared how Jesus came, “to a city of Samaria, which is called Sychar” where we read:

Then came he to a city of Samaria, which is called Sychar,

near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph

The verse reads, “Then came he to a city of Samaria, which is called Sychar, ...” John began with the words, “Then came he” which means “at that time arose and appeared Jesus” “to a city of Samaria” or “toward a dwelling place and habitation belonging to Samaria which means guardianship and was a territory in Palestine which had Samaria as its capital”, “which is called” which means “that is named and known by” “Sychar” which means “drunken and was probably another name for the town of Shechem, a town in Samaria, near the well of Jacob”. John shared how Jesus approached a “dwelling place” in “Samaria” known as “Sychar”.

The verse continues, “... near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph.”. John added the words, “near to the parcel of ground” which means “close by to region, piece of ground, field and land” “that Jacob” or “that Jacob whose name means heel-catcher or supplanter and was the second son of Isaac and the progenitor of the Israelites” “gave to his son Joseph” which means “bestowed upon, granted, furnished and supplied to Jacob's male progeny and offspring named Joseph which means let him add and the patriarch and eleventh son of Jacob”. John shared how “Sychar” in “Samaria” was close to the location “Jacob”, the patriarch of Israel, “gave to” “Joseph” his eleventh son.

When we meditate upon John's words in this verse, we learn how Jesus approached the “city” known as “Sychar” which was near to the location that “Jacob” provided to his son “Joseph”. This location will become significant as our story continues, but for now let us remember how John said Jesus “needed” to travel through there. Jesus journeyed to various places to meet people with whom He would share the “good news” of His Kingdom, and today He visits everyone through the Holy Spirit to invite them to have a personal relationship with God through faith and trust in Him. Let all who read these words know Jesus will journey to wherever they are to give them an opportunity to receive Him as their “Savior and Lord”.

Next time John shares how, “Jacob's well was there”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".