Who Has Your Heart?

Painter’s Note: find an error, mark it, or correct it.

Criticism is easy, correction is hard

I’ve NEVER noticed this connection before!

We should remember who the gentiles were… they were hated by the Jews for not being pure, and focused on one true God, but let’s take a deeper look at this.

The “Woman at the Well” is a brilliant, multi-layered passage in John 4, and though I’ve heard countless sermons on it, and preached on it myself, but I’d never pieced this all together..

Firstly, what if she represents the whole of Samaria?

Back in 2 Kings 17, we’re told that five foreign nations settled in Samaria, intermarried with Israel, and brought their own gods with them. The result was a people with mixed worship, divided hearts, and spiritual confusion: spiritual adultery.

Then John introduces Jesus, and just one chapter earlier, John the Baptist calls Him the “Bridegroom”. This is pretty significant, John (the author) was a literary genius; nothing was mentioned by accident! 

You see, in the Old Testament, the big heroes of the OT, and their covenant love stories ALL began at a well: Abraham’s servant meets Rebekah at a well. Jacob meets Rachel at a well. Moses meets Zipporah at a well.

So when THE Bridegroom arrives at Jacob’s well, every Jewish reader is expecting another bride story to match this trope… the perfect Jewish woman... except the woman who appears is a Samaritan, Scandalous… She represented a people whose hearts have belonged to many “husbands. ”So when Jesus says, “Go, call your husband,” maybe He was exposing something far deeper than her relationship history.

Could this be Jesus calling out the 5 people groups that came to Samaria and created a troubled foundation of confusion and lost religions?

And the current husband he asks about is the current illegitimate religion of the Gentiles...

This whole story is a reflection on heart worship, and spiritual confusion.

He is saying “I’m the groom, you’re the bride, … “

“Who has your heart?”

That’s always been the question… Jesus came seeking a bride whose worship had become divided. He crossed every social, cultural and religious barrier to offer living water and a faithful covenant relationship. And maybe that’s why John says Jesus NEEDED to go through Samaria. The Lover of our souls still seeks people with divided hearts.

He still asks for a drink. Just like Abraham’s servant’s once asked of Rebekah...

He still offers living water to quench our thirst.

He offers to quench the thirst of a woman who’s life is cloaked in adultery, idolatry, and isolation.

And He still says, “I who speak to you am He.”

“Who has Your heart?”

Our hearts must belong to God above all else, as only He can satisfy our true desires and purpose in life.

Treasures Reveal The Heart

Matthew 6:19–21 “19 “Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. 21 Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.

Matt 6:21 Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.

Jesus connects our hearts to our treasures.

By focusing on storing treasures in heaven, or in other words, the things we say and do are always keeping eternity in mind, and when we do that, our hearts naturally align with God's eternal purposes.

People do what people want to do… but God is challenging us to examine what we want... what holds our affections daily in light of the eternal truths that God keeps reminding us of.

Guard Your Heart

Proverbs 4:23 “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.

In my journey as a youth leader, I often saw young people drawn into relationships that seem promising but are really harmful. I recall a teenager who allowed romantic relationships to dictate her self-worth, only to find herself broken when they ended. When we neglect to guard our hearts, we risk losing our identity and value in Christ. Let's remind ourselves and the youth in our lives to prioritize their hearts above all else.

The heart must be protected from influences that may lead it astray from God's paths.

Just like the Samaritan’s we have a confusing array of options for our hearts to believe in.

Emotions are one of the hottest focuses nowadays.

What or who touches the desires of your heart, and are they aligned with God? What motivates you?

So how’s your emotional and spiritual health?

A guarded heart is anchored in God and His Word.

Seek With Whole Heart

Jeremiah 29:13 “If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.”

We see Jeremiah's promise of God to those who seek Him with all their heart.

A mother once told her child, 'If you want to truly understand how to ride a bike, you must commit to learning and not be afraid of falling.' In a way, our spiritual journey is just like that. Wholehearted pursuit of God means accepting that we might stumble. But like learning to ride, it’s about getting up, dusting ourselves off, and continuing on the path towards Him with courage and faith.

Worship team

Wholeheartedly chasing after God leads to genuine transformation and intimate relationship with Him.

Sometimes it’ll cost you friends or even family...

The lover of your soul is seeking you out, going where He shouldn’t to offer you a drink.

Who has your heart today?