Digging Deeper: Admit that You are Thirsty
16 Jesus said to her, “Go, call your husband, and come here.” 17 The woman answered him, “I have no husband.” Jesus said to her, “You are right in saying, ‘I have no husband;’ 18 for you have had five husbands, and the one you now have is not your husband. What you have said is true” . . . 25 The woman said to him, “I know that Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ). When he comes, he will tell us all things.” 26 Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am he.”
John 4:16-18, 25-26 (ESV)
ADMIT THAT YOU ARE THIRSTY
Most scholars believe that John’s account of this story is abridged; the entire conversation with Jesus is not included. The omitted parts likely contained more details about the woman’s past, providing Jesus with more of her story (this does not discount His divine ability to discern the contents of a person’s heart).
Jesus has just flipped the script. It would have been customary for a man engaged in private conversation with a woman to ask that her husband join them (v. 16). I am sure the woman had heard this request numerous times while she was unmarried, and her reaction was likely the same each time. The apostle John does not describe her facial expression, body language, or tone of voice, but we can infer from her terse four-word response that it was not a positive reaction. Guilt and shame were probably among the strongest emotions she felt. She did not join the other women of the town to draw water in the morning—there had to be a reason.
I have been divorced for over 25 years and have led numerous divorce recovery groups during my time at NorthStar. Scripture does not specifically state that divorce was the reason for the dissolution of all five of the woman’s marriages (v. 18), but it is safe to assume that at least some of her husbands did not die. One nearly universal experience among newly divorced individuals is the overwhelming sense of guilt and shame. While I encourage them to honestly look in the mirror and reflect on their role in the divorce (no matter how small it may seem) as a step toward healing, I also remind them that guilt and shame do not come from above but from the evil forces at work in this world.
All of us experience brokenness at times. We search for healing and thirst for something that truly satisfies. For Christ to quench that thirst and heal our brokenness, we must be honest with ourselves (v. 17) and, more importantly, with our Creator (confession = repentance = forgiveness = healing). “That Christ seeks all people, despite our former sins or our current circumstances, and wants to make us sincere disciples, is the great message of His conversation at the well” (bibleref.com).
One final point: This is the first recorded instance in Scripture where Jesus reveals His identity (v. 26). That He chooses to reveal Himself to a Samaritan woman of questionable character tells us everything we need to know about what our gracious Lord and Savior can do in our lives!
Diggin Deeper (er):
Jeremiah 29:11; Psalm 147:3; 1 John 1:9.
Phil Meade is a father of three, and grandfather of five. He has a Masters in Theological Studies from Liberty University, and lives in Acworth. He has led various small groups throughout his more than 20 years attending NorthStar Church. He recently retired after 33 years as a pilot for Delta Airlines.