The Essential JesusSample

No More Shame

PRAY: "I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame" (Psalm 34:4-5).

READ: John 4:1-42

REFLECT: The woman in our passage today was carrying more than a water jug as she walked to the well; her heart was burdened down with sin and shame. How do we know? First, she was a Samaritan, a group of people who were ostracized by the Jews (v. 9). Next, she was a woman; many at that time, including even Jesus' disciples, would have considered her a second-class citizen (v. 27). Finally, she had lived a sinful life that produced a series of broken relationships (vv. 17-18). No wonder she went by herself in the heat of the day.

Many people today struggle with a deep sense of shame. Some can't forgive themselves for a terrible sin in their past; others have been deeply wounded by someone else's sin. Either way, sin and shame can leave us feeling broken, unworthy and alone. But sometimes our lowest moment is when we are closest to God (Psalm 34:18).

That's what happened to this woman. She met Jesus, and he used the encounter to change her life forever. First he revealed that he was the source of "living water" (vv. 10, 13-14); she probably thought he meant "running water" from a moving stream. But in fact, he meant the Holy Spirit; that's what Jesus offers to all who follow him. Next he told her that soon all people could have a relationship with God; everyone, not just the Jews, would worship God in spirit and truth (vv. 22-24). But this would only be possible because God's promised Messiah had arrived (vv. 25-26).

By the end of the encounter, the woman accepted Jesus not just as a man (v. 9) or as a prophet (v. 19) but as "the Savior of the world" (v. 42). And that's what turned her burden of sin and shame into a source of joy. She could invite her friends to meet the man "who told me everything I ever did" (vv. 29, 39) because he had forgiven her. And that joy is available to everyone who believes in Jesus today.

APPLY: How would you feel if you met someone who knew all your darkest secrets?

PRAY: Lord, you know everything I've ever done. I ask that you would forgive me and then fill me with your living water.