Lent: Messiah

“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.’ Jesus said to her, ‘I who speak to you am He.’” (John 4:25-26, AMP)

Many science fiction movies have a common scene where the window of a spaceship is cracked, and the people inside are sucked out into space. Space is a vacuum—it’s empty—and this emptiness creates pressure to be filled. It’s also why we call a machine that creates suction a “vacuum.” 

The woman at the well was empty and desperately longing to fill the void she felt. She first came for water to quench the basic physical need of thirst. Jesus responds by offering “living water.” He reveals that she has a far greater problem than physical thirst, and He provides a far more satisfying solution than physical water. But then Jesus reveals another longing within this woman–love and affection. She’s cycled through five husbands and hasn’t found what she’s looking for. The vacuum inside of her has been grasping to be filled. 

Longing comes from lack. If we lack food, we long for it. If we lack water, we thirst. If our loved ones are away, we long for their presence. While we are in this fallen world, we will always lack. Therefore, we will always have longing. 

Verse 26 is the climactic point of the story. This is the first time Jesus has affirmed His identity as the Messiah. He is the one Israel has longed for. He is the one the world has longed for without knowing it. But most importantly, in this moment, He is the one she has longed for. We’ve read of a man and a woman at a well in the Old Testament before–Isaac and Rebecca, Jacob and Rachel, and others. The expectation is they meet at the well, and then they get married. But in this story, the woman has already been married. She didn’t need a marriage; she needed a Messiah. This season of Lent reminds us of our lack in this world. But it also reminds us of the one who wholly fills all lack. An empty stomach points us to the bread of life. The one who will one day satisfy all longing. 

Father, we confess that our hearts long for things they shouldn’t. But we thank you that you are a gracious savior. Turn our hearts to you, and satisfy us with your steadfast love. Amen.