Overcoming Shame: Lessons from the Woman at the Well

How does the Samaritan woman react to Jesus’ personal revelation of Himself? Scripture passages from online Berean Standard Bible available through biblehub. Recall that in John 3, Jesus explains His purpose and new birth to Nicodemus. Chapter 4 draws a contrast: from the religious Pharisees and Judea to the Samaritans. John makes the point that the “religious” consistently deny Christ, yet the outcasts and “others” of the period accept Jesus.

John 4: 27-29 Goes to town to testify

27Just then His disciples returned and were surprised that He was speaking with a woman. But no one asked Him, “What do You want from her?” or “Why are You talking with her?”

28Then the woman left her water jar, went back into the town, and said to the people, 29“Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Christ?” 30So they left the town and made their way toward Jesus.

The woman who was getting water during the hot time of day (noon) to avoid others goes into her town to share her experience. Encountering Jesus changes her! She doesn’t keep the Messiah to herself. She came to get water and left her water jar. She found Someone far greater than her immediate need for water.

Jessica Brodie explains:

“We also know, from understanding cultural and historical traditions of that time, that women typically drew water in groups in the morning, and it was often a social occasion. The fact that she was drawing water alone at midday probably indicates she was a social outcast.”

Source: https://www.christianity.com/wiki/bible/significance-of-the-woman-at-the-well.html

The Bondage of Shame

How do we define ourselves? Do our past deeds define us? Shame arises when a person defines self as being unworthy–it’s a feeling and deep wound of perceiving self as unworthy. Shame leads to social isolation and avoidance. Shame is what brought the woman to the well during the hot time of day. She came when she assumed no one would be around.

Shame is an issue in our contemporary culture and society. Shame is a root of anxiety and depression. Mark DeJesus and Tim Fletcher have assisted me in my healing journey. Do we allow our shame and feelings of unworthiness from past betrayals and disappointments to isolate us from community?

Shame emerges in daily conversations with others. Others share stories of how others abandoned them or how they feel “less” than due to life experiences. These stories come from younger and older. The narratives share similar characteristics: a disappointment or betrayal leads to “feelings” which become a defining life narrative. A person deep in shame then defines themself by past failures, disappointments, etc.

Mark DeJesus explains shame:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVHjfW4-zEA&t=904s

Shame is also an issue with CPTSD and addiction. Tim Fletcher presents a six part video series on shame.

The Mission

John 4:31-37

31Meanwhile the disciples urged Him, “Rabbi, eat something.”

32But He told them, “I have food to eat that you know nothing about.”

33So the disciples asked one another, “Could someone have brought Him food?”

34Jesus explained, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to finish His work. 35Do you not say, ‘There are still four months until the harvest’? I tell you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are ripe for harvest.

36Already the reaper draws his wages and gathers a crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may rejoice together. 37For in this case the saying ‘One sows and another reaps’ is true. 38I sent you to reap what you have not worked for; others have done the hard work, and now you have taken up their labor.”

Commentary

“Spiritually speaking, the “food” of our spirit is the will of God. Jesus was tired and weary from a long journey (John 4:6). And yet, simply following the will of God gave Him a spiritual boost (John 4:31–33).

This makes sense when we consider the idea of God as the Creator. If we are created for a purpose, and that purpose is the will of God, then it makes sense that we feel best when we’re accomplishing that purpose.”

https://www.bibleref.com/John/4/John-4-34.html

The purpose of following Christ is to be like Christ! His purpose and calling is our main priority in our spiritual journey. It is possible that the Samaritans had heard about John the Baptist and Jesus. The stage is set for Jesus to proclaim His Good News. Unlike the religious in Judea, the Samaritans in this case eagerly accept Jesus and His message.

The story of the woman at the well is a rich example of love, truth, redemption, and acceptance.

And best of all, not only does Jesus accept her, but He accepts us, too. He wants us all in His holy kingdom — if only we, too, believe.

https://www.christianity.com/wiki/bible/significance-of-the-woman-at-the-well.html

From Outcast to Missionary

John 4: 39-42 Many Samaritans Believe

39Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in Jesus because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I ever did.” 40So when the Samaritans came to Him, they asked Him to stay with them, and He stayed two days.

41And many more believed because of His message. 42They said to the woman, “We now believe not only because of your words; we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man truly is the Savior of the world.”

The Woman wasn’t an Instagram influencer or celebrity. She was an outcast whom Jesus touches with His Presence and Truth. She testifies to her encounter with Jesus and invites her neighbors to come. Consider that these “neighbors” were those who most likely excluded and gossiped about her numerous husbands and love affairs.

Our efforts to plant the gospel are never wasted: others may well complete what we’ve begun.

And we should be sensitive to those who have been “seeded” with the gospel, so we can take opportunities to lead them to Christ.

https://www.bibleref.com/John/4/John-4-37.html

George MacDonald reminds us in “The Hope of the Gospel”:

“A candle is not lighted for itself; neither is a man. The light that serves self only, is no true light; its one virtue is that it will soon go out. . . Light unshared is darkness. To be light indeed, it must shine out. It is of the very essence of light, that it is for others.”

https://www.gutenberg.org/files/14453/14453-h/14453-h.htm#THE_SALT_AND_THE_LIGHT_OF_THE_WORLD