EncounterLife Jesus' HeartSample

Jesus Pursues the Broken

Jesus goes out of His way to visit the woman at the well in Samaria. Tradition tells us that Jews avoided the land and its inhabitants. Anyone traveling from Jerusalem to Galilee would have added extra days to his or her journey by going around Samaria, but Jesus was on a mission to seek and save the lost. No one is beyond the reach of God’s love and mercy.

Jesus was not received in Judea. The religious leaders wanted nothing to do with Him. In Samaria, we see the humanness of Jesus. He is weary from travel and needs to rest. As we peel back the surface of the story, we begin to see Jesus’ heart of compassion. He knows the pain of rejection, and as He sits down at the well to drink, we see His empathy for this lonely woman.

In asking for a drink, Jesus breaks all cultural expectations. She asks Him, “Why are you talking to me?” His words reveal that He cares, that He notices her. In the simple act of dialogue, He addresses her deep desire to be accepted, loved, and pursued. His words are living water to her. His presence exposes the shame of rejection by the five husbands who had left her and the other man who would not marry her. Jesus empathizes with her. He is acquainted with her grief.

Surely He has born our griefs and carried our sorrows. —Isaiah 53:4 (NKJV)

Jesus pursued this woman when all others had turned away and abandoned her. In a moment, her shame is broken as she hears life-giving words from this compassionate stranger. Jesus begins by simply starting a conversation. Doubtless, He sees the pain and fear in her eyes from years of neglect and loneliness. He speaks right to that pain and changes her world forever. 

This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses. —Hebrews 4:15 (NLT)

ENCOUNTERING JESUS’ COMPASSIONATE HEART PRODUCES LIFE

One word, born of compassion, can change someone’s life forever.