A story we most likely have all heard is found in John 4, The Samaritan Woman or the Woman at the Well. Jesus reaches out to the Samaritan woman at the well during the heat of the day. Let’s look deeper into this and get some historical context. We know Jesus is offering Living Water, himself, as opposed to the physical water from the well which soon loses its quenching power. Here Jesus demonstrates a few things.
First, he breaks down the shame that has been associated with this woman’s status. Women weren’t allowed to divorce their husbands, but husbands were allowed to divorce their wives. And they could divorce their wives for something as simple as burning toast! So, who knows why her five husbands divorced her. Also, if a woman committed adultery, she would be stoned to death. So the common thought that she was an adulterous woman is wrong. She wouldn’t be alive at this point. Jesus lifts her up in this situation from shame to honor by his interaction with her.
Second, he broke down the misunderstandings she had about the Messiah. Samaritans thought of the Messiah mainly as a teacher. The barriers Jesus demolished made an impact throughout her family and more!
Do you have barriers of shame? Jesus is waiting to break them down. God will do whatever is necessary to finish the work began on the cross to bring you to the saving knowledge of Christ. He wants to break down the barriers of shame and misunderstandings in your life.
Think about these questions today:
What did you learn about God’s character in this part of this biblical account?
Is there a barrier of shame I can allow God to break down? If not, is there someone I can commit to pray this for?
Continue to memorize this verse: “What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?” Romans 8:31
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