Jesus – The Lord who breaks shame

Scripture: John 4:1-29

Sychar – the town called “Strong drink” (shekar)

This is interesting for two reasons: 1. Suggests the culture of the town, 2. Highlights the theme of water within this story.

Samaritan history – The Samaritans were considered unclean people by the Israelites

Well etiquette – Place women would go to collect water at the start and end of the day.

• She came in the middle of the day (peak heat) because she thought no other girls would be there

• Jewish men would never talk to the samaritan woman, especially Rabbis and especially women who are living an adulterous lifestyle

Marriage in the First Century – Only husbands can divorce their wives so this means she has either been rejected 5 times or unfaithful 5 times. Regardless of the reason, she would be regarded as an outcast to everyone.

Due to all these factors one thing becomes very clear, this woman was living every moment of her life with a huge cloud of shame looming over her.

“Shame is the intensely painful feeling or experience of believing that we are flawed and therefore unworthy of love and belonging.” – Brene Brown

Shame for this woman looked like these three things:

Shame of origin – Family and people

• Her people were Samaritans – deep roots of shame

• Jesus knew this shame – comes from a bloodline of corrupt kings, foreign blood, prostitutes, unfaithful men and women.

• What can this look like for us?

• Two ways: how we share this experience and how we should treat others who show signs of this shame.

  • Experienced – shame from the family you are a part of, past hurt, regrets, guilt passed on. Your people’s history or what you are associated with.

  • Expressed –We should seek to understand others, valuing the place and family they are from and the person that it makes them.

Shame of culture – labels from society

• For this woman, she had labels on her that meant she was undesirable, her options for occupation and community were limited by the labels she had received.

• Jesus was born in Nazareth – people said nothing good comes from their, he grew up in egypt made him a less pure jewish man

• What it can look like for us:

  • Experienced – expectations you’ve received, words said, limitations set or beliefs others have put onto you.

  • Expressed – we should look at everyone through the eyes of Jesus first, removing any bias or judgement to see the person as a child Jesus died for. From bus drivers to real estate agents, baristas to barristers.

Shame of lifestyle – Things we do that we hide and preconceived assumptions

• She was seen as ‘damaged goods’ unwanted and disregard, known for a sinful life

• Jesus knew this feeling, his childhood friend questioned his integrity and ministry because of the people he associated with.

• What this can look like for us

  • Experienced – regret of the past that the enemy tries to hold against us

  • Expressed – We should ensure we aren’t judging others because they have different convictions to ours. We are called to lift each other up not tear each other down

In the Samaritan woman’s story, Jesus acknowledges her sin and her hurt with tender words. Where she expected to be put to shame he offers salvation, inviting her into his kingdom.

She goes from being lost in the story the world had given her, to being found in Jesus’ story. What does this story mean for us today?

1. We are Saved – All her life she had been searching for a savior.

If you are here this morning and you are unsure about your relationship with Jesus the questions we need to ask ourselves is this: What are you searching for? What are you missing in your life? Where are you drawing your identity and worth from right now?

2. We Serve – Our liberation comes through lordship

The interaction starts by Jesus posing a question to her “WIll you draw me water. It’s a request for her to serve Him. The story ends with the woman leaving her water jar, her tasks behind and goes into town to share about who Jesus is. She goes from being opposed to being a servant.

If you are in here this morning and you call Jesus your Lord, the question we should ask ourselves is this: “Am I a source of living water for others?”

• In your home

• In your hobbies

• In your hood

Find opportunities to share about what the Lord has done for your and in your life

3. We are Sent – The great commission is for us to go out to the far corners of our world and spread the good news

Lastly, if you are in here this morning, you call Jesus your lord and you are firm in your faith.Then you aren’t meant to look at the Samaritan in this story, you are meant to look at Jesus and ask how can we be more like him.

Jesus went into the community others avoided, to the people no Rabbi would ever visit. What does that mean for us as followers of Christ?

Reflection:

Consider which of these points applies to you, where do you find yourself? After an encounter with Jesus the woman was forever changed, how will you leave today, what will you change?