There always seem to be monumental, insurmountable tasks in the movies. Soon, a hero will emerge with a plan and inspire people to face the challenge to carry it out. The hero may do most of the work but still needs others to reach their goal. Everyone follows the plan because they trust the planner.

Jesus did not leave this world without a plan. Just before He ascended into heaven, He gave the 11 apostles and other followers directions:

“All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:18-20 CSB)

He even gave them some specifics, ^“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8 CSB).

I wonder if John had these directions in mind when he penned the story of the lady at the well. You see, Jesus had just come from Jerusalem. As John 4 opens, the disciples are busy baptizing more disciples, and He leaves Judah. On the way to His destination, He went through Samaria. He stopped at the well and began to share the news that the Kingdom of God had arrived – sharing it with the first Samaritan that He met.

From the beginning of His ministry, Jesus followed the same plan He would later give John and the other disciples. Perhaps, like me, you wonder if John shared the details of this story knowing that Jesus, the Planner, lived out the plan.

Jesus laid out a plan for the disciples and for us to follow in the monumental, seemingly insurmountable task of telling the world about Him. Will you follow the plan and the Planner today?

By LaRaine Rice