Providential Meeting of Jesus and the Woman of Samaria

    The woman of Samaria, and many others of the city of Sychar, were to be called to the knowledge of Jesus. But how was this to be brought about? In passing near the city, Jesus apparently was about to proceed without entering it. His disciples went into the town to buy victuals, while he rested at Jacob's Well. How many chances, then, were there, that neither this woman, nor any of the other persons, should hear of him! Had the disciples brought provisions with them, or been previously provided on the way, there would have been no need for delay; and the Lord would have passed before the woman came to the well. Now, when he is sitting at the well, why is it that at this moment the woman came? Why was she not a little sooner or a little later? Why was she a woman of such a particular character? Were not all these circumstances arranged by Providence to lead to the calling of the woman of Samaria, and to Christ's entrance into the city, where he had others to call? In this we have a specimen of the ways in which God opens an entrance for the gospel into different places. How often is this by accidents, which are all appointed by Providence to fulfil his purposes!