series art

Jesus Heals My Deepest Wounds

Jesus knew the Pharisees had heard that he was baptizing and making more disciples than John (though Jesus himself didn’t baptize them—his disciples did). So he left Judea and returned to Galilee. He had to go through Samaria on the way. Eventually he came to the Samaritan village of Sychar, near the field that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. Jacob’s well was there; and Jesus, tired from the long walk, sat wearily beside the well about noontime. Soon a Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, “Please give me a drink.” He was alone at the time because his disciples had gone into the village to buy some food. The woman was surprised, for Jews refuse to have anything to do with Samaritans. She said to Jesus, “You are a Jew, and I am a Samaritan woman. Why are you asking me for a drink?” Jesus replied, “If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water.” JOHN 4:1-10 NLT

Jesus heals me with His words

Soon a Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, “Please give me a drink.” He was alone at the time because his disciples had gone into the village to buy some food. The woman was surprised, for Jews refuse to have anything to do with Samaritans. She said to Jesus, “You are a Jew, and I am a Samaritan woman. Why are you asking me for a drink?” JOHN 4:7-9 NLT

Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. JOHN 15:3 ESV

Jesus heals by pushing through my excuses

“But sir, you don’t have a rope or a bucket,” she said, “and this well is very deep. Where would you get this living water? And besides, do you think you’re greater than our ancestor Jacob, who gave us this well? How can you offer better water than he and his sons and his animals enjoyed?” JOHN 4:11-12 NLT

Jesus replied, “Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.” JOHN 4:13-14 NLT

Jesus heals by revealing my greatest failures

“Please, sir,” the woman said, “give me this water! Then I’ll never be thirsty again, and I won’t have to come here to get water.” “Go and get your husband,” Jesus told her. “I don’t have a husband,” the woman replied. Jesus said, “You’re right! You don’t have a husband— for you have had five husbands, and you aren’t even married to the man you’re living with now. You certainly spoke the Truth!” JOHN 4:15-18 NLT

Jesus heals by saving me from religious nonsense

“Sir,” the woman said, “you must be a prophet. So tell me, why is it that you Jews insist that Jerusalem is the only place of worship, while we Samaritans claim it is here at Mount Gerizim, where our ancestors worshiped?” Jesus replied, “Believe me, dear woman, the time is coming when it will no longer matter whether you worship the Father on this mountain or in Jerusalem. You Samaritans know very little about the one you worship, while we Jews know all about him, for salvation comes through the Jews. But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way. For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.” JOHN 4:19-24 NLT

Jesus heals in spite of His foolish followers

Just then his disciples came back. They were shocked to find him talking to a woman, but none of them had the nerve to ask, “What do you want with her?” or “Why are you talking to her?” The woman left her water jar beside the well and ran back to the village, telling everyone, “Come and see a man who told me everything I ever did! … JOHN 4:27-29 NLT

… do you think you’re greater than our ancestor Jacob, who gave us this well? … JOHN 4:12 NLT

My Notes

Personal Reflection Guide

Take a few moments to quiet your thoughts and feelings. Commit any troubled feelings or thoughts to God for His peace. Invite God into this time and ask Him to reveal His truth about yourself, Himself, and others. Where in your life do you sense you need healing? Picture what healing would look like for you. How does it feel to picture this healing? Reflect on the message and determine if God gave you some words through the message that will help you heal in this area. Consider if you are allowing excuses, religious nonsense, or foolish Christians to hinder your healing. Are you allowing this to happen and in what way? Close your time by spending some time discussing with God your desire for healing, His guidance, and strength to overcome the obstacles you face in being healed. Thank Him for the healing He will bring to you as you cooperate with Him in obeying His guidance.

Discussion Questions

  1. PERSONAL REFLECTION: Where in your life do you need healing? What obstacles are getting in the way? (Explore these concepts more in the Personal Reflection Guide found at the top of the sermon notes.)
  2. REAL WITH SELF: How did the words of Jesus in this week’s message bring healing to you personally?
  3. REAL WITH SELF: What excuses does Jesus need to help you work through to bring about the healing you need?
  4. REAL WITH GOD: Are there some personal failures or sins that you keep hidden that are keeping you from being truly healed? What blessings could God have for you (and others) on the other side of this?
  5. REAL WITH OTHERS: What religious games are you playing that might be keeping you from the miracle you need?
  6. TAKE ACTION: We have all experienced shortcomings and/or hurt from other Christians that can affect our view of Jesus. The good news is these people are not Jesus. What steps can you take this week to break through these barriers caused by others and encounter Jesus Himself so that you can be unleashed and experience complete healing?