EncounterLife Jesus' HeartSample

Your Past Does Not Disqualify You

Jesus promised living water. He has described who He is. The dialogue has centered on spiritual truths and Jesus’ identity, but now He turns His attention to the Samaritan woman.

She’s physically and spiritually exhausted. Jesus uses the analogy of water to describe the desire of her heart. To drive the point home, He asks about the one thing in her life keeping her from freedom: a shameful past.

As Jesus redirects the conversation, He plumb-lines her heart. He asks her to invite her husband. She winces. An overwhelming sense of guilt and shame and fear wells up in her as it has so often. Her story, regrettable at best, has defined her identity and perspective — utter worthlessness. So many broken relationships. Does she tell the truth and brace for the judgment to follow, a scornful look of disgust that she has seen so many times before, or does she tell a bald-faced lie, hoping to dodge the awkward explanation of her past? Embarrassed and dejected, she chokes out a half-truth: “I have no husband.”

“I desire mercy, not sacrifice.” For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners. —Matthew 9:13 (NIV)

A smile forms across Jesus’ face. He looks at her and begins to speak. His gentle and lowly heart beats with the rhythm of mercy for the sinner: I know who you are. I know your story. I see you.

O Lord, you have searched me and known me. You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off. You comprehend my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways. —Psalm 139:1-4 (NKJV)

ENCOUNTERING JESUS’ COMPASSIONATE HEART PRODUCES LIFE

It doesn’t matter what you’ve done in the past. There is living water pouring from the heart of a compassionate God. Receive it today, and share it with someone in need. He really is this good.