The Woman at the Well - part 3
Last week we discovered or rediscovered that Jesus knows exactly where we are. That means that He is fully aware of all that is going on in our lives. He is not surprised nor confounded by the challenges and problems that we feel loom so large before us. It is truly a comfort to know we are not alone - ever - because Jesus knows exactly where we are and what we are facing. Put another way, He is with us. Always.
But we also see another truth in this passage of John chapter four.
Jesus knows our hearts.
This woman was not going to fool Him with her answers to His questions. He instantly knew what was going on inside of her - the turmoil, the shame, the restlessness. The Bible tells us that Jesus discerned the intents of her heart.
We may try to "wear masks" in life or attempt to present a certain image to others to be accepted. That image may be one of being rich, intelligent, powerful, or at least, having our life all together! However, images that are designed to trick others never mislead God. Jesus recognized this woman’s heart, her motives, and her needs immediately. She was not deceiving Him!
When Jesus reaches out to minister to us, or tries to get us to look at the motives of our own heart, He often begins to communicate by asking questions and getting us to examine ourselves. Jesus already knew this woman’s past history. He knew her family’s history, the community’s history, and all that came with it. He understood the prejudices, the past voices, the mistakes of judgment by the people, and the former desires and wishes of her race.
Yet, already knowing the answers to all His questions, Jesus opened up a conversation with her to help her unravel herself to find truth that would set her free. In the same way, when we enter into relationship with the Lord and begin to dialogue with Him, He can help us break down the walls and the barriers in our lives that keep us held in captivity – that imprison us in our “furnaces of affliction.”
This Samaritan woman was coming to the community well with a variety of preconceived ideas and many past memories. She knew Samaritans and Jews did not talk together. There were generations of hate between them. There had been a battle long ago over where to worship. The argument grew in intensity over the years until the Samaritans had built their own temple on Mount Gerizim and the Jews built one in Jerusalem. The Samaritans, due to captivity, had intermarried, thus infuriating the Jews even further. To the Jews, the Samaritans had become unhealthy and unclean due to their mixed marriages.
When Jews had to travel through Samaritan territory, the Samaritans made the journey difficult for the Jews, sometimes detaining them for days. So, as we can see, many barriers to their relationship had been established. They certainly were not “on the same page” any longer.
This is the scenario from which this woman now enters into relationship and conversation with Jesus. From history’s perspective, she was never to speak to Him and He was never to speak to her.
And yet, Jesus came to set people free of their walls, so a few traditions did not stop Him from reaching out to her! Isn’t it funny how we can set up walls and not let people in? Sometimes these barriers have nothing to do with present circumstances.
I have had opportunities to minister to many people over the years, only to discover that most of the walls we experience are built in our minds. They come from our family upbringing or our stinkin’ thinkin.’ It takes a divine encounter with Jesus to bring these walls down or to remove our "masks."
Our barriers might be insecurity, pride, rebellion, anger, hurt, shame, or just plain stubbornness. Sometimes unforgiveness will set in and we will not let go. Some people will hold onto a situation, think about it, talk about it, and bring it up continually. The situation is old and should be forgotten, but they hang onto it and continue to justify their negative actions or behavior.
Unforgiveness can lead us into playing the old recordings of our lives over and over and over again. We become uncertain of our future, our friends, and our family. A sense of unworthiness or unbelief can begin to creep in. Some people end up at the shopping mall on a buying spree, just trying to control all the negative input they rehearse in their minds day after day after day. Others choose a life of loneliness because they don't want to take a chance of possibly being hurt again.
When unforgiveness sets in, we have usually been hurt or rejected in some way. Confusion creates a feeling of unrest, emptiness, and occasionally even physical reactions of nausea or sickness. There are people who get so bottled up with unforgiveness that their tempers become out of control or severe depression develops.
This woman at the well may have had any or all of the above symptoms. She was avoiding people and she definitely had experienced a difficult life. But now, Jesus at the well speaks into the depths of her heart and starts reaching for the need that He might fill the void.
Next week we will conclude our study of this woman at the well and her encounter with Jesus. Until then, let’s spend some time examining our own hearts and determining if there are things lodged there that Jesus wants to address.
Remember, Jesus knows our hearts!
Dr. Sharon Predovich
