The Heart of the Matter

This devotional series is called The Heart of Jesus. It consists of 28 devotions that are overflowing with God’s love for you. This devotion is about the heart of the matter. Jesus has a heart for eternity.

The Heart of the Matter

This people honors me with their lips,
but their heart is far from me;
in vain do they worship me,
teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.

Matthew 15:8-9

Jesus wasn’t your traditional Jew. He was a Jew, for sure. And a faithfully devout one at that. In His own words, Jesus said that He didn’t come to abolish the Jewish law, but to fulfill it (Matthew 5:17). He celebrated the Passover, taught in the temple, and was descendent of David.

There was no question about whether or not Jesus was a Jew. He was. But even though He honored the Jewish law, He didn’t yield to Jewish traditions. In Matthew 15:6, Jesus said that the Pharisees and scribes nullified the Word of God for the sake of their traditions. Everything Jesus taught brought people back to the heart of God.

Which is why we find Jesus at a well in Samaria, when most Jews would have gone the long way around to avoid it. When a Samaritan woman came to the well to draw water, she was shocked when He spoke to her (for Jews had no dealings with Samaritans – John 4:9). But the conversation they had, and what came from it, speaks to our hearts thousands of years later.

Jesus asked for a drink. She pointed out He was a Jew and she was a Samaritan.

Jesus told her if she knew who He was, she would be asking Him for living water. She asked who He was to make such a claim.

Jesus told her the living water He offered led to eternal life. She wanted to see the goods.

He told her to go get her husband. She said she had no husband.

And this is where it gets good.

Jesus said to her, “You are right in saying, ‘I have no husband’; for you have had five husbands, and the one you now have is not your husband. What you have said is true” (John 4:17-18).

At this point, she realizes He is a prophet, and she’s got questions. Samaritans worshiped God on Mount Gerizim (where they believed Abraham and Isaac made their sacrifice). Jews worshiped in Jerusalem. She wanted to know who was right.

Jesus, as He was wont to do, cut straight to the heart of the matter. He told her it wasn’t about where they worshipped, but who they worshipped and how they worshipped.

She realizes Jesus is alluding to the coming Messiah and tells Him He will sort it all out when He comes.

Can you picture Jesus’ smile here? I’m sure it stretched from ear to ear, because He knew she got it. “I who speak to you am he” (John 4:26).

Throughout the whole conversation, she wanted details. Her mind was set on the here and now. But Jesus bypassed all that, and pointed her toward eternity. His heart was for the big picture. It was then, and it still is today. We get caught up in the details, and Jesus gently brings us back to the only thing that really matters.

Related Devotion: Because He Lives We Have a Home in Heaven

Jesus has a heart for eternity. Read more in this devotional series about the heart of Jesus by @_HeatherHart Share on X

Also Available
With All His Heart Scripture Writing Journal & Graphics Pack