When Jesus Asked For A Drink To A Woman With A Thirsty Heart
When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?”
John 4:7
Jesus was going to Galilee and decided to pass through Samaria. He intentionally visited the place to meet a woman who was despised and condemned by people. This woman had five husbands, and the person he was living with was not her husband. She had a past that made her feel shameful and isolated. Jumping from one man to another. Isn’t it a symptom of a thirsty heart? It’s a visible indication that this woman longs to receive the kind of love that no ordinary man can give.
It was about noon when Jesus sat in Jacob’s well to rest from a long journey. A Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said these 6 impactful words that led the woman to realize the deepest need of her heart.
“Will you give me a drink?”
In Jesus’ time, a teacher or rabbi doesn’t usually talk to women, even their wives, especially in public places. On top of that, she is a Samaritan whom Jews don’t acquaint with. But in this instance, Jesus undoubtedly approached the woman. He showed His human limitation to a woman who was not just longing for affirmation but also love and belongingness. Our Savior simply made her realize that He knows what it means to be thirsty and tired.
Isn’t that beautiful? It’s comforting to know that whenever we submit our longings and appeals to Jesus, He deeply understands our hearts. It’s like He is telling this Samaritan woman, “Just like you, I also felt thirsty and tired. Will you give me a drink?” He showed the woman that it was okay to ask for some help. That Jesus, in His human limitation, He knows that others can offer something to help Him. He knows that this imperfect woman needs some help as well.
He saw her thirsty heart, but before He pointed out what was wrong, Jesus first showed the woman that He understood her. By asking her a simple yet very meaningful question, the woman began to open her heart and allowed our Savior to come in. Jesus started the conversation with a need, but He ended it with an answer. He started by showing His human limitation, but He ended it by revealing to the woman that He is the living water.
It wasn’t just a simple question. It’s Jesus’ way to connect to the woman’s heart. May this be our great reminder. Sometimes, our limitations or weaknesses can help us connect to a weary soul. We just need to learn to open our hearts and allow the living water to quench us first. That’s when we can help and redirect others to the true source of life – Jesus Christ.
Header Image Credit: visualsofdana of unsplash
