What Jesus Did! 'Getting to the Heart of the Matter' — John 4:16-18

Monday, March 7, 2022

"Go and get your husband," Jesus told [the woman at Jacob's well].

"I don't have a husband," the woman replied.

Jesus said, "You're right! You don't have a husband — for you have had five husbands, and you aren't even married to the man you're living with now. You certainly spoke the truth!"

— John 4:16-18 NLT

Key Thought

While the conversation up to this point had focused on water and remained a bit confusing to the woman, Jesus now was going to get to the heart of the matter. It really wasn't about coming to a well for water, but it was about parched souls broken by life. While some portray this woman as a woman of questionable morals, we must remember that Samaritan women, like Jewish women, did not have the right to divorce their husbands. This one was a woman who had been rejected by five men and now lived with a man who would not legitimize their relationship. She came to the well in the middle of the day [1] because she was shunned. She was a woman alone. Jesus wanted to get to the heart of the issue so he could bring his "living water" to the barren and parched recesses of her soul. He comes to do the same for us today. What question would Jesus ask to get to your hurt? Remember, he's asking it so you will ask him to help you address it.

[1] John 4:6-7.

Today's Prayer

Father, forgive me for my sins. Also, Father, please give me the strength to quit hiding my brokenness, weakness, and sin from myself and thinking that I can hide my problems from you. Please bring Jesus' living water to the parched and broken areas of my soul. I pray this in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

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3 Related Resources by Heartlight

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As Different as...
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How important are our differences? Phil Ware continues his series on Outside the Walls, looking at Nicodemus and the Samaritan woman at the well and reminding us that they are more alike than they are different: both need Jesus and his truth, life, and love.

Illustration

Illustration of John 4:16-18 NLT — "You're right! You don't have a husband — for you have had five husbands, and you aren't even married to the man you're living with now. You certainly spoke the truth!"

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About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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