The story of the Samaritan woman tends to hit very close to my heart every time I read it. I feel that, as believers, we have all had this particular moment with Jesus.
The moment where He exposed everything we ever did, yet chose to love us and free us anyway. Her moment with Jesus is similar to the point where we come to salvation…when we are fully seen, fully known and fully forgiven in an instant. This moment is the defining moment of our lives.
As I thought about this woman at the well this week, I remembered Pastor Jason’s words, “She is trying to satisfy an internal spiritual thirst with an external physical activity.”
This woman had searched for love and belonging in every single marriage she entered into. Every wedding day when she put on a dress and wore a veil, it carried a small sense of hope that this would be the “one.” The one who would love and cherish her and grow old with her.
Even with the current man that she lived with, was she still hoping to find the love that maybe felt unreachable or lost? No little girl grows up with dreams to get married five different times, and for each of those times to end with heartbreak. Somewhere along the way, her spirit was broken, and the hope of this “working out” was lost.
Being in a position like that, with so many failed marriages and never truly feeling chosen by a man, had to be beyond difficult. And we see from the time of day that she came to the well, that there was an element of being outcast by the women of her society as well. Community, love, family, belonging…all of this was not a part of her existence. She wanted it more than anything, but simply could never make it work on her own.
I deeply related to this woman’s search for belonging in something other than God. At times, that search led me to look for love in boyfriends and romantic relationships, other times that search led me to food and the dopamine hit that came from eating to numb my pain. For many years I pursued the approval and praise of people, hearing the words of praise and admiration fed my flesh…but never my spirit. In other moments I obsessively trained in athletics and controlled and over-committed in the ever-fleeting hope that I would finally gain peace inside. But none of these satisfied. I know, because just like that woman…one day I met Jesus. There is only One who can satisfy the human heart.
One of the best pictures we have of this concept is the Prodigal Son. He left his father’s home to pursue any and everything he ever wanted. It says in Luke 15:13 that he “squandered his wealth in wild living.” (NIV)
He roamed, and partied, and drank to his heart’s content…only to realize that none of this satisfied. None of what he pursued filled the hole inside his heart. No amount of over-consumption, partying, spending, or frivolous living could calm the deep longing inside.
At the end of it all, when the money was spent and the loneliness invaded…this son realized what he had done.
“When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ So he got up and went to his father.
But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.” (Luke 15:17-20, NIV)
This is what I picture when I see Jesus at the well with this woman…this woman whom no one loved…His heart was filled with compassion.
We are chosen and loved just like this woman. He sees it all, He sees what we have tried to turn to and how we have attempted to fill the big gaping hole in our heart…and yet, His heart of compassion remains.
Oh Lord, fill us with compassion for those who still have this gaping hole. Give us eyes to see those who need you, who are constantly turning to other things. And when we ourselves are tempted to turn and fill with something else…remind us of your steadfast love that is truly the only thing that can satisfy.
The moment where He exposed everything we ever did, yet chose to love us and free us anyway. Her moment with Jesus is similar to the point where we come to salvation…when we are fully seen, fully known and fully forgiven in an instant. This moment is the defining moment of our lives.
As I thought about this woman at the well this week, I remembered Pastor Jason’s words, “She is trying to satisfy an internal spiritual thirst with an external physical activity.”
This woman had searched for love and belonging in every single marriage she entered into. Every wedding day when she put on a dress and wore a veil, it carried a small sense of hope that this would be the “one.” The one who would love and cherish her and grow old with her.
Even with the current man that she lived with, was she still hoping to find the love that maybe felt unreachable or lost? No little girl grows up with dreams to get married five different times, and for each of those times to end with heartbreak. Somewhere along the way, her spirit was broken, and the hope of this “working out” was lost.
Being in a position like that, with so many failed marriages and never truly feeling chosen by a man, had to be beyond difficult. And we see from the time of day that she came to the well, that there was an element of being outcast by the women of her society as well. Community, love, family, belonging…all of this was not a part of her existence. She wanted it more than anything, but simply could never make it work on her own.
I deeply related to this woman’s search for belonging in something other than God. At times, that search led me to look for love in boyfriends and romantic relationships, other times that search led me to food and the dopamine hit that came from eating to numb my pain. For many years I pursued the approval and praise of people, hearing the words of praise and admiration fed my flesh…but never my spirit. In other moments I obsessively trained in athletics and controlled and over-committed in the ever-fleeting hope that I would finally gain peace inside. But none of these satisfied. I know, because just like that woman…one day I met Jesus. There is only One who can satisfy the human heart.
One of the best pictures we have of this concept is the Prodigal Son. He left his father’s home to pursue any and everything he ever wanted. It says in Luke 15:13 that he “squandered his wealth in wild living.” (NIV)
He roamed, and partied, and drank to his heart’s content…only to realize that none of this satisfied. None of what he pursued filled the hole inside his heart. No amount of over-consumption, partying, spending, or frivolous living could calm the deep longing inside.
At the end of it all, when the money was spent and the loneliness invaded…this son realized what he had done.
“When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ So he got up and went to his father.
But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.” (Luke 15:17-20, NIV)
This is what I picture when I see Jesus at the well with this woman…this woman whom no one loved…His heart was filled with compassion.
We are chosen and loved just like this woman. He sees it all, He sees what we have tried to turn to and how we have attempted to fill the big gaping hole in our heart…and yet, His heart of compassion remains.
Oh Lord, fill us with compassion for those who still have this gaping hole. Give us eyes to see those who need you, who are constantly turning to other things. And when we ourselves are tempted to turn and fill with something else…remind us of your steadfast love that is truly the only thing that can satisfy.
Erika Pizzo
Erika is an author of various books on the topics of faith, mental health, and victory in Christ. Erika lives with her husband, daughter, son, and their fluffy poodle in sunny Southern California. Her two favorite things are a visit to the beach and a chai latte in hand.