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It started when a Samaritan woman met a guy and got married. We don’t know much more than that. All we know is they were married … and the marriage ended. Did her husband die or did he divorce her? Was she so hard to live with that this husband couldn’t take it any longer? We can only guess. But she ended up single again, then remarried. Again. And again. And again until she had five husbands in her wake.
Life went on for this Samaritan lady. As we read the Bible story in John 4, we learn she yet moved in with another man.
Had he refused to marry her because of her reputation?
Could her character be so difficult that he wouldn’t commit himself?
Was she an old woman by now, bitter and worn? We know none of these things. But at least he allowed her to live there, cook for him, and tend to his needs.
How many men do you suppose hurt this woman during her life? How about all of them. How many times do you think she hoped for a different life? Only every day. When she was a little girl, do you think she foresaw the torment and scorn she would receive? We don’t know the hows or whys surrounding her misfortune. We only know more men had been in and out of her life than was acceptable by society’s norms.
Shame is a terrible feeling. It only puffs up the ones who shovel it.
This Samaritan woman felt the full condemnation of the community to the point of seeking ways to isolate herself. That’s why she went to the well in the heat of the day to collect water when nobody else was around. Torture from the noon sun was more welcomed than dealing with public shame and the torment she faced every time she dealt with other women there in the mornings.
But then she met another man—a seventh man. A Jew who was at the well needing a drink. And this man offered to give her living water, so she would never thirst again (John 4 10).
Why did she trust this seventh man? What was about him that gave her the courage to try one more time?
Maybe it was because he told her about her past without heaping her with shame. She even told him the truth–a truth that surely would have turned the head of most Jewish men–yet he still offered her a kind of love she had never known. Then, putting actions to his words, he honored her by telling her before anyone else that he was the Messiah they had been waiting for.
Just as Jesus gave the Samaritan woman value, love, acceptance, honor, and mercy … He’s waiting to offer you the same.
Shame is a terrible feeling. It only puffs up the ones who shovel it. Know that Jesus didn’t come to heap shame on us either… He came to earth–died and rose from the dead–because He loves us.
If you’ve never read the story of the Samaritan woman at the well, check it out (John 4:1-26). Try it on for yourself and see if there’s anything in your life that you think would make Jesus not offer Living Water to you.
What would it take for you to trust someone? If others have tried shaming you for past deeds and you want to talk about it, let me know. I totally get it. Drop me a line and we can chat.
Do you feel like you don’t matter? Are you happy … or are you doing what you never thought you’d do? Do you see consistencies … or are you all over the place? Drop me a line. I’d love to chat.
Struggling to find good in your life? Check out my award-winning book, God’s Best During Your Worst, or check out any of my other books on my Book page.
Thoughts come spilling out, typos and all.
The Conversation
Interesting questions to consider about the Samaritan woman.
Thanks, Sally Jo. The Bible is so understated. Did it happen that way? I don’t know. But like you said, it’s “interesting” to consider the possibilities. Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment.
Robin