Text: John 4:1-29
When I read the story of Jesus and the woman at the well, I see so much of myself in her. I wish the woman had a name in this story, but I think it’s intentional that she doesn’t. It is so easy to read these verses and have empathy for “this poor woman.”
But what if this woman was you?
What if the shame she wears, visible to all in her community, is your shame?
I often wonder if she chose her times at the well strategically: knowing when she would most likely be alone.
No judgment from a stranger.
No shame as she faces another.
No disgusted looks or rude comments.
What do you think went through her mind as she approached the well and saw Jesus sitting there?
I believe she wanted to continue hiding—hoping He wouldn’t take notice of her arrival at the well.
As we read on about her story, it’s clear that she is hiding, a prisoner of her shame. This is the big lie that accompanies the feeling of shame: that one must remain silent and keep the guilt inside. But what I love about Jesus is that He doesn’t allow those lies to continue.
Jesus not only notices her, but He asks a pointed question that forces the woman to speak truth to her shame—draws her out of her silence (v. 16-17).
He replaces her silence with truth.
He replaces her shame with a fresh start.
He takes the temporary fixes—the water that quenches our immediate thirst—and replaces it with living water.
“Jesus said to her, ‘Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.'”
John 4:13-14, ESV
Sisters, He wants to give you new life. He hurts when He sees you – His cherished daughter – locked in chains of shame.
Take time today to end the silence of whatever shame you’re carrying. Speak truth and lay it at His feet: just as you are.
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”
John 10:10, ESV
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55 thoughts on "so that you may have life"
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This post gives me so much hope. I have been ashamed of myself lately. Like I'm not good enough for God and that it's going to take me a while to wash away my past. But then I am reminded of this fresh start. This is exactly what I needed to begin feeling whole again. Thank you to the whole SheReadsTruth ministry for helping me get to spiritual wellness and seeing the power and love of God in a whole new way. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Too long have I felt like this woman at the well. How important it is to be reminded that Christ died for me, for us, so that we can live through God and be forgiven.
A little late to the game here but wanted to add in some thoughts / what I learned from my pastor:
Noontime was especially hot and she did only draw water at the time so she wouldn't have to face the other women (who typically drew water in the mornings). And the best evidence of Fresh Start in the Woman of Samaria's life?
She went to the well at noontime, avoiding people and judgment and exposure.
After speaking with Jesus and after she believed, she went speaking to all the people in the town! "Come, see a man that told me all that I ever did." and "Many Samaritans from that town believed in Him because of the woman's testimony."
HOW AMAZING IS tHAT? She went from being afraid of exposure, from judgment to spreading the good news! And people believed in Him because of her!
Fresh Start: From fear to testimony!
Jesus went there for a reason, for me and for all of us women. In that time women were below men, I know Jesus knew that one day some women would be alone, working, raising children and maybe not have a man in the house. So he chose this woman at the well to show us His love for all women. Why this woman, because she like us was full of sin and needed saving. You might not have lived a life like hers, but she shows me that Jesus loved her and knew her heart, just like us.
I am so enjoying these daily readings. They have truly touched my heart and caused me to search my soul.
Hang in there, Robin!!! It will be good. He is faithful!
Erica, I love your comment…that He gave her a voice and an opportunity to speak when she probably never had anyone care about her opinions. What love and grace He has! Thanks all for sharing your comments and insight.
{it’s a huge encouragement to read each post!}
This is me. I have been the woman at the well. And im still carrying the guilt and shame and it has about dragged me into the ground. I need to park on this passage, topic, and devotional for a while.
I have always loved this story, but, despite the number of times I read it, I found something new today. I love it when God does that!
I was actually very convicted by the way the woman approached Jesus being a prophet:
Jesus tells her about her in-most heart, and the sins and shame that live there, so she responds with "I see that you are a prophet" then immediately proceeds to bring Him her little "pet" problem of where should people worship. She doesn't acknowledge what He's just said about her heart.
The woman wasn't ready to acknowledge her sin, but Jesus was ready to deal with it, so He did. I pray today that I will be ready to deal with my sin and bring it out in the open before my Lord immediately, rather than turning aside and presenting the smaller problem, as I am always so likely to do!
Very well put….my journaling today was all about how her first question was about 'religious laws'. Then I began to think – what if I met a prophet today at Starbucks – what would my first question be? Are we right – or are they right? I think not. But I had a hard time coming up with an answer.
I totally missed the part about her skipping over her sin. I wonder if I do that with any of my sins….just skip over them. Thanks for the inspiration.
Oh how amazing would it be to be standing in Jesus's presence when he says, "I who speak to you are he." I try to think what I would do if I was the Samaritan woman…I can't even imagine! I love the whole story and read it twice to make sure I caught everything! ;) I love how Jesus met her where she was, calls her out of hiding without judgement and tells her she doesn't have to be thirsty anymore. Such a powerful story that we all can relate to!
I did a study on this once and the woman was in fact going to the well at a time of day that would be the least crowded and why….because she was hiding. She was ashamed but not quite tired of the shame. I confess, sometimes I just try to manage shame and guilt rather than nail it to the cross of Christ. So what then is the antidote to this game we play with shame…An encounter with Jesus. And encounter with Truth himself that makes us speak out when we would rather stuff shame down and keep silent. Shame is devious and evil and will keep us chasing our tails until we're exhausted. It keeps us silent with those we love and we think by somehow suppressing it we deal with it but that is not the case. I love how kind and how very good Jesus is. His desire for us to repent and turn away from the sin that so easily ensnares us is evident in this encounter. Jesus knows about the man, he gently presses her to tell the truth because it is the truth after all that sets us free. And she confesses and Jesus calls her higher and right there the hiding stops. The power of confession and repentance is for our healing and our freedom.
So today, I'm fully aware that Jesus is here offering me rivers of living water and I want it with all that I am. He is so good and everything that he offers is good and full of the abundant life he promises. The thief cannot convince me that shame and silence is a better way because that is a path to sorrow and I will have nothing to do with it. Jesus is here and that's all that matters. I confess that I struggle with shame and guilt and regret but Jesus is here and that's all that matters and I'm taking a big drink of his living water to wash all the residue away.
Have a very blessed and encouraging day!
Amen…..
One of the quotes in the book I am writing is this: We should never be ashamed of what someone else did; and we should never be embarassed about something we have been forgiven for.
I am in agreement with you today, that a well of Living Water will spring up in you – and that it will wash away and soot left behind from the nudgings of the enemy. God bless you today Annette
I’ve been feeling discontent today. But I think I’ve been attacked today. How can I be discontent when I have a God who gives me living water. I’m being still and trusting that he has given me living water and I can find all I need in him.
Thank you for the truth, encouragement, and all the questions. It reminds me that I am not alone in how I feel, but we serve a mighty God.
God doesn’t simply look past our sin. He confronts it head on, causing us to make a decision. If we choose life, he completely inhialates our sin. He washes us white as snow. The moment we choose Jesus, we become sinless. A clean slate. A fresh start.
I absolutely love the way our Jesus lives. This sounds really redundant, because duh, God is good, but really–
I absolutely love our Jesus and the way He is. I feel like I'm seeing Him for the first time in years. Walking, miles and miles, in the heat of the day, because He knew He had to love a woman there. One soul, one body, one human– but she mattered to Him, and she mattered immensely. He spoke to her gently, lovingly, honestly, and in a matter that was full of life. He wanted to take that time, no matter how long it took, to show her that He knew her and wanted to reconcile her with Himself, with God. That after 5 failed marriages and a boyfriend– bound to repeat the cycle of looking to humans for fulfillment– she didn't have to be alone anymore, ever.
Father, sit with me today. Show me that you love me. Remind me again of how you've always been with me, of how we've always been together. Teach me the things I do not know. Papa, put your yoke upon me, for it is light. I hear him now: "I am your truest friend. I will take you to places you've never been. AnnaLee, you've listened to the father. Because of that, you're never walking alone. Let me show you how to do this."
Praise you, father.
Wow! Beautifully said. Had me in tears.
Today's post and reading through everyone's comments reminds me of the song "hello my name is" by Matthew West. If you haven't heard it before, I encourage you to look it up and listen today!
Have a wonderful day!
I love all of your thoughts today…they'd re food to my soul!
If there is anything in this story that makes me giggle, and always has, it is when Jesus has told her everything about herself, revealed He knows it ALL! And I can just see her kind of jump back and say that famous verse…"Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet." No disrespect intended, but, duh! By this time I would be terrified that He had read my mail!
And yet Jesus didn't judge, didn't point fingers, He was still offering eternal life to a woman with five former husbands and a boyfriend at home! What grace and mercy from the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous! How can we judge another when He stood in our place…
Blessings!
When I read the words "never thirsty again" I think I have the meaning misconstrued. While I embrace the new life I have been given, I strive to better myself, which feels like being thirsty. Anyone else get stuck with that thinking?
I hope I can answer this and be a help not a hindrance :) "Never thirst again…" This water that Jesus spoke of was Living Water, Christ IN us, the Hope of Glory! If you have been born again and filled with. His spirit then you have that Living Water!
To continually strive to make yourself better, in terms of a better teacher, a better mom, a better employee, get a higher education, etc., those are all good, commendable!
But if you are continually striving to make yourself better for God…we are not saved by our works, so you would always feel "thirsty". You would never be "full"! You cannot "GET GOOD to GET GOD". It works the other way around. "Not by works are you saved, it is the gift of God…"
He makes us "good" from the inside out…but we don't have to constantly worry about whether we are good enough, that is a lie from the enemy.
Guilt isn't from God!
Being content in Him, being full of His goodness, His righteousness, His Word…
Listen to this wonderful song, His Presence is Heaven…there is a part in it that will fill that longing today….we never run dry! http://youtu.be/-ml2AKt4x_g
That was a wonderful way of explaining! Thank you so much!
Yeah, Katie, I know I do! But then I remember that I can only lean on Christ for any betterment of my life, whatsoever. When I look at it from the perspective that nothing good comes from outside a relationship with him, and that those who love Him lack no good thing (Psalm 34), I am encouraged- and there is no more thirst. He is the betterment of my life, of myself, and no matter where my relationship with Him takes me in life, He is my portion and joy– He is all there is.
Janet, I can relate to what you are saying in regards to those besetting sins. A few things come to mind. The fact that you aware of these small sins is God’s grace to you. Those sins have always been there and now God is revealing them so He can bring them into the light and offer grace and forgiveness. It is true that we will continue to struggle with sin in this life. I’m comforted to know that even Paul battled against doing the things he knew he shouldn’t. Again, this weakness reveals our need for a savior and should be a daily reminder of how much we desperately need Jesus!! The hope is that He has overcome (when we struggle), He has nailed these sins to the cross (when we deserved it), He died for those sins (so we didn’t have to), then he rose again victoriously (conquering sin) and sent us His spirit to help us. Praise His glorious name!! So, the battle can sometimes be discouraging, but He offers us so much grace and all the power (His spirit) to put those sins to death on a daily basis. So we will struggle, fight hard against sin, but never alone. We have the Spirit who will help us. We just need to press hard into Jesus. Praying for you today, sister! “In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
Thank you so much Shannon!
I love that this account is in the Bible!
The word for "drinks" in verse 14 is translated to "pinō" in Greek – it means "to receive into the soul what serves to refresh, strengthen, and nourish it unto life eternal". I'm kinda a Strong's Concordance junkie, so I love looking up stuff in the original Hebrew or Greek. That picture of the Spirit as living water within us is so encouraging to me. Christ promises that we will never be spiritually "thirsty" again if we chose to continually steep our souls in Him.
Of course, I try drinking the water of the world sometimes. Which is about as refreshing as sewage.
This is a song from Passion 2011 called "All My Fountains" by Chris Tomlin…I think it really speaks into this story this morning. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UczfZfCwU0
Have a lovely Thursday, ladies!
http://www.biblestudytools.com/lexicons/greek/nas…
I really enjoyed today's reading! This is the first season of my life where I am regularly opening the Bible and working at digging, planting, and cultivating the truths that I learn there. I have definitely been the woman at the well. Today's devotional touched upon a refreshing realization that recently occurred to me: shame is not better-kept in silence. Carrying our shame and guilt with us is fatiguing, draining, and soaks up precious brain space and energy that could be used to live out our passions and further the Kingdom. It is scary that often times we have grown so comfortable in our layers of guilt that we forget that they are constantly draining us. For those smartphone users: it's like running a bunch of apps in the background and wondering why our battery dies so quickly. The hidden apps aren't being used and they aren't even visible, but they are soaking up and wasting the life of the phone.
It takes intention, purpose, and a fearless surrender to God to strip off the guilt and to feel a light, joyful relief in place of the heavy burdens that we have carried for far too long. I have found that it requires diligence to dig through layer after layer, but the reward of closeness to God is well worth it. Have a wonderful day sisters!
You have a beautiful way of saying things. Are you a professional writer? :)
Janet, thank you so much for your kind words! :) I am not a professional writer but I really enjoy writing. I recently started my blog as an outlet for my writing and creative ambition. You just made my day!!
John 4:22 “You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews.
23 But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him.
24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”
Or in other words, “The time is coming when I will reconcile God and man, jews and gentiles, and I WILL BE THEIR GREAT HIGH PRIEST! I will tear the veil and give you free access to God, and you will worship-not solely in a Temple, but in spirit and in truth.”
Again, Messiah is fulfilling all that God promised he would do for us, his unworthy, chosen people!
Hosea 1:10….And in the place where it was said to them, “You are not my people,” it shall be said to them, “Children of the living God.”
My heart is overwhelmed. I’ve been weeping with thankfulness this morning, after being reminded yesterday of all that God rescued Saul from, rescued ME from, then to see Jesus promise another unworthy, unclean soul the gift of life….. He is SO good.
I love that Jesus offers this living water, clearly knowing "everything I ever did"!
The sermon at church this past week regarding the kingdom was very convicting with regard to offering others performance-based love – only giving to a relationship based on what the other person has put in, and how we should love those we encounter fully regardless of who they are or what they've done and not keep a scorecard.
Thank goodness the Lord's love is not performance-based! He will always out-love me, and yet He offers life in exchange for belief. How freeing it is to know that I could never balance the scales with Him and thus I need not try – that we can come (and keep coming) just as we are!
And may we offer grace to others in our life, regardless of what they've done, just as Jesus modeled here.
I've read this many times, but today this verse captured my heart, "Jacob's well was there, and Jesus, TIRED AS HE WAS from the journey, sat down by the well, It was about noon." (:6)
My Lord, who could have easily traveled by donkey or chariot, chose to walk by foot during the hottest part of the day to free this woman from the shackles of sin, guilt, embarrassment. He met her right where she was despite His human weariness.
He sat down on hard, dirty ground to have a discussion with her. He gave her the opportunity to speak, when she was given no voice among her community. He spoke to her in a way that drove out that guilt, conquered that disbelief, and gave her hope for the future.
Whew, how often does He do the same to me? I am that woman at the well all too often, but am so grateful for a humble Savior who meets me just where I am and loves me enough to speak out the ugly from my life!
Ohh! I accidentally hit the thumbs down! Sorry, I didn't mean that.
The thought that "tired as he was"–how often to I reject The Lord or refuse his request because I'm too tired, but that never stopped/stops him from being where he needs to be or doing what he needs to do. Forgive me Lord for living in my flesh far more than I should.
"He sat down on hard, dirty ground to have a discussion with her. He gave her the opportunity to speak, when she was given no voice among her community. He spoke to her in a way that drove out that guilt, conquered that disbelief, and gave her hope for the future."
This is so beautiful Erica! I've experienced so many times and places where Christ has sat with me exactly where I was at. I imagine him as if he were alongside a road or sitting next to me on a sidewalk, with his arms on his knees, listening to me speak out (scream out, cry out) my fears, frustrations, and sorrows to him… and then speaking words to me that shut my mouth and bring to me new life, renewing my entire being. Our God is so good, that He would want to sit and talk with us, loving on us and helping us to grow in Him, no matter the time or place!
I want to sit with him like that today.
Of course I sin every day, as sanctification is a process. But there was one particular sin many years ago that I felt a lot of guilt about -the sin seemed huge. I asked for forgiveness, and when God made me aware of his grace and I suddenly accepted that I was completely forgiven, the feeling of joy and peace was amazing. I think part of that was because at the same time I felt empowered to stop engaging in that sinful behavior. I think what is harder for me to deal with is the "little" sins each day – things about my behaviors and attitudes that aren't godly. I ask for God's forgiveness and his strength to act differently, but I don't seem to change. Why is that? And how can I feel the joy of forgiveness when I keep on doing, as Paul says, the things I don't want to do?
Good Morning Janet,
Your words resonated with me this morning because it was just recently that I started to feel the 'little' changes happening within me. I started to boldly ask God to change my heart and to refine it. I also asked Him to change my mind and to help my thoughts to be thoughts that honor Him and His plan for my life. I started that prayer within the past two weeks and I am already seeing areas where metaphorical chains have come tumbling off and my actions reflect that good fruit that He is planting on the inside. For the longest time I was weary of asking God to change me because there was something that seemed 'comforting' about holding on to 'control' and 'knowing' where my feet were leading me. I use quotations because I never actually experienced true peace until I fully surrendered all to Him and began laying my life and my daily cares at His feet daily, eagerly awaiting the changes to come. I hope this helps you and that you have a wonderful day sister!
Thank you Kyla! Your words are so encouraging and give hope. I know what you mean about being weary of asking God to change me. I think I do feel comfort in having some sense of (false) control, so I'm not really putting in my part to be changed. What's interesting is that these 'little' (in quotes because all sins are the same size to God) sins might not even look like sins to others, but they are to me because they hurt my relationship with God. Things like trying to control my kids' and micromanage their life, not giving my family encouragement in the way they need. But the biggest one for me right now is that I'm about to graduate grad school and I feel mostly fear about the career I've planned for, don't believe I can do it, and worst of all question sometimes if I even like it. It's been a big struggle and although I cry out to God I know I'm not really trusting him to work through me with his power. Kyla, I am going to start praying for God to change my heart and mind as you did. But as you said, surrender is the big thing. He CAN change me, but only if I really let him. I am so appreciative of this SRT community. My husband is a pastor of a small church, and I haven't yet found women friends that I can talk to about spiritual things like a sister in Christ. Blessings on your day!
Thank you for sharing your heart Janet! I will be praying for you, for strength and confidence in Him to do what He has called you to do. I think it is great that you notice and admitted areas where you want to improve, because that is much better than being in denial about them. I recently surrendered my biggest fear (surgery) to Him in regards to a back injury that I have, and He has worked in me to pretty much remove the fear entirely. You are in my prayers! :)
Kyla had great thoughts too Janet! And pour yourself in the Word. It doesn't mean you won't stumble, but pattern yourself after Christ and make your diet… HIs diet. Then every morning ask Him to change your heart and mind to be more like His…to fill it with the good things of God.
Then make sure that your home and your life reflect that change! You know, GIGO! Garbage in, garbage out! If you are feeding on PG 13 thoughts, or worse, all day, in your music, TV, internet, etc. then your thoughts and actions will reflect that.
You cannot put garbage in the ground and expect to grow flowers!
He will hear you and respond to a contrite heart. Blessings friend!
How true, Candacejo. God has shown me to keep on eye on what types of media I allow into my personal holy ground. When we are constantly bombarded with non-Christian values, it truly allows crevices and fissures to open….and satan only needs a minute opening to enter and start wreaking damage. We must be aware of the weakness this inflicts onto our walk with God, and shore these openings up. This was made so abundantly clear to me this week…a definite spirit led message. Let's work on growing those "flowers!" :-)
Going back to TwilaG's comment from John 4:4, I too believe Jesus went seeking after her. I believe that we all have our "devine appointment" moments with God where he gives us the opportunity,that precious moment of meeting us where we are in our shame and guilt. I too can relate the woman. I am thankful that he sought me where I was and loved me enough on that New Year's Eve night to say let it go and come to me. Praise God for his Mercy and Grace.
Thank You, Lord, for meeting us where we are. For releasing us from our prison of shame. For giving us Your living water – for making us free.
“But He needed to go through Samaria” John 4:4. Jesus knew the woman would be drawing water at this time. Jesus purposly went seeking after her just like He comes and seeks after me.
So true! I love that we aren't required to chase after Him to be forgiven…He loves to meet us where we're at.
He came seeking for me! Seeking for me….though I knew Him not, still He loved me, and came seeking for me!
I think the woman at the wells name was Tina, if not then it was ME at the well….. I know what I would have thought as I approached the well…..to be honest I would have turned away, I would have retreated to a quiet place or back home…..I couldn't have faced another pointy finger, or sniddy comment, too hurtful to the heart and soul of my being……but JESUS…..
Jesus, came that I/ we might be saved, that we would have life, New life abundant, in His gentleness , love, patience, Grace, mercy, He is there waiting at "our well" to open our eyes, heart and soul to the truth, the truth that we are free, free, free from the baggage, burden of shame, and our past if we just leave it all with him at the cross…..
Thank you Lord Jesus for meeting me at the "well" ,for opening my eyes to the truth, that you are my life giving water, and that in YOU I am set free….AMEN, AMEN AMEN.
Happy Thursday sister's, x x x x
I have always been a little sad that we don't have more sense of motion in the Scripture in general. For all we know, the woman could have been turning away to do exactly that – to retreat to a quiet place, but Jesus started the conversation with her to keep her at the well – to give her what He knew she needed. He started the conversation. How beautiful is that?!
Praise God for that… AMEN. Because in our own strength that would be so so impossible ….
Thank you for this post. God surely had you write it for me…at this very moment.
The shame that we tend to carry is a big lie from the enemy. Don't put up with it!
Lay it at His feet. Take up His burden. It is light.
Be blessed my fellow SRT sisters.
He is full of mercy and grace. No one can forgive and cleanse as He does.
Father, Son and Holy Spirit. What could be better?
Good morning sisters..I always loved this chapter in John. Its so beautifully written..how the Lord looks passt the womans shame so he can set her free. This reminds me of someone:me. I remember I was in a really dark place of guilt,shame,and feeling as the Lord could never forgive me because my past was so dirty. But thanks to God for his mercies and loving me even through that dark place. I also thank my srt sisters for the support and encouraging words..I believe we were all like the woman at the well and Jesus wants us to be free from that bondage so we will be able to worship in Him in spirit and in truth…my prayers today is for us all to lay our burdens down at the Lords feet never to be picked up again. God bless you all and always remember to pray for someone who is the samartian woman(john4) or the woman caught in the act of adultery(john8). Another encouraging word for a fresh start:)
So happy you are no longer "unforgiven" but have changed your name to what we all are….forgiven in Christ! I remember when you first came to SRT and now you are such a blessing! God is using you and what you have gone through to minister to others. He is cool like that!
Love you friend!
Love you too friend:) I thank the Lord for His faithfulness and deliverance:)