Not Just “Anything Helps”: A Biblical Example of Discerning Underlying Needs

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“Sir, give me this water, so I will not be thirsty nor come all the way here to draw…”

These words are found in one of the most quoted encounters of Jesus’ ministry. His encounter with the “woman at the well” has been a go-to passage for many a preacher and Sunday school teacher. Found in Chapter 4 of the Gospel of John, this beautiful story of redemption demonstrates the lengths to which Jesus will go to reach those around us living in this broken world. This woman and Jesus’ response and engagement with her prove to be a tremendous example of the discernment required to effectively minister to those in need. Not just “anything helps,” as many signs of those on street corners read; there is an actual underlying need that must ultimately be addressed.

John the Apostle tells of Jesus’ encounter with this woman from Samaria at Jacob’s well. The early parts of the account give us some insight into the mental, societal, and emotional status of this unnamed Samaritan woman. It simply says, “It was about the sixth hour. There came a woman of Samaria to draw water.  Jesus said to her, ‘Give me a drink.’” 

In Jewish thought, the day began at 6:00 a.m., and the 6th hour would be noon to us. This woman had chosen to come and draw water at the primary water source in the middle of the hottest part of the day. One can assume that either she had terrible timing or (more likely) she was doing what every “normal” person would have done early in the morning at a time when she would be alone, hidden from the expectations and judgments of others. We will find out later that this woman was not living a life of honor but of unchastity, shame, and guilt.

Her meeting Jesus in the middle of the day was the last thing she was expecting—as in the same way God has shown up for so many of us. We encounter Him in the middle of our shameful life when we least expect it. How Jesus interacts with her becomes a beautiful picture of God’s grace and reveals the Father’s desire for true and spiritual worshipers. But for those of us “doing” ministry on a day-to-day basis, it can also be a blueprint for how we handle the everyday encounters with those in need.

As Jesus asks this woman for a drink, it sets into motion a discussion that will touch on everything from societal prejudice, religious customs, eschatological expectations, true and false worship, living conditions, and ultimately the promise of a spiritual relationship with the True God.  She approaches Jesus with a “natural” mindset and a fixation on her perceived need, primarily resulting in a myopic obsession with solving the “everyday” issues of her life. She immediately sees 

1. He’s not supposed to talk to me: “You being a Jew…and I am a Samaritan woman” (v. 9)
2. He has “nothing to draw with and the well is deep” (v. 11)  
3. He is just a man and “not greater than our father Jacob…who gave us the well” (v. 12)

Everything about her perception is earthly and steeped in the natural. Jesus engages her spiritually and says, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give me a drink’ you would have asked Him and He would have given you living water” (v. 10).  Here He begins speaking to her and interacting at a completely different level than she is likely used to. This is seen clearly when her response is all about her natural, superficial needs. The woman said to Him, “Sir give me this water, so I will not be thirsty nor come all the way here to draw” (v. 15). She wanted her circumstances to change! She wanted the burden of life to be eased and her responsibilities to be lifted. Her hopes were that this man could make her life easier. Her perceived need was for a better or easier existence, and this man sounded like a possible way of receiving her perceived need.  

This becomes the exact moment where Jesus models a better way of helping: He shifts the entire conversation away from her perceived need and exposes her actual need. He says to her, “Go, call your husband” (v. 17), and this simple charge unlocks the reality of a life lived in disobedience to God’s commands and exposes a pattern of shame and brokenness that has plagued the Samaritan woman for years. His prophetic insight brings this woman into a place of humility and lays bare the truth that her perceived need was not her greatest need. She was in need of something greater.  In fact, she was in need of Someone greater. She needed Jesus.  

During this encounter, the woman does what most of us do. She deflects, waxes theological, and begins debating and excusing away her culture, life, and existence in it. But Jesus avoids following the rabbit trail. He loves her enough to continually reveal her true need. She needed Him. Later in the account, the woman says to Him, “I know that Messiah is coming, he who is called Christ; when that One comes, He will declare all things to us.” Jesus responds to her, “I who speak to you am He.” 

Many of us spend our lives serving and ministering to people. They are often distraught, hurting, financially ruined, and emotionally broken. They come from every kind of experience and from every walk of life and always carry with them a sense of perceived need. We have to approach conversations with this mindset so that those to whom we’re ministering can come to this realization. Let’s pray for the Holy Spirit to lead us with discernment and help us reveal to those we serve their actual need: Jesus!

For all those faithfully serving Jesus and others, my prayer for you today is Galatians 6:9: Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.

In a world filled with people who have great needs, let’s never forget that their greatest need is Jesus.

FROM THE TRUE CHARITY TEAM: We appreciate the perspective of our knowledgeable guest contributors. However, their opinions are their own, and do not necessarily represent positions of True Charity in all respects.