Where did the shame go?

[Gail]

In my Bible reading I have reached John 4 and the story of the Samaritan woman.

Have you ever noticed that after Jesus brings the fact to light that the woman has been married five times and is now living common-law that she doesn't shrink in shame before Him?

In modern day terms I liken that to being called a hose-bag or a "loose" woman. A secular person might not bat an eye at that but this woman was in the presence of a Jew (who despised the Samaritans enough already).

But Jesus reminds her of this, as if she changes her men like she changes her clothes, and the woman does not retaliate in anger nor cowers in shame. She perceives that she was talking to a holy person AND that the holy Person is not condemning her. She wants more and pursues the conversation.

Wow! How is Jesus so successful in reaching people like this? Who would have known to follow this course of action and who of us could do it with the same result?

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

"hose-bag"???? never heard that one...

sometimes, a person is in such deep doodoo that having someone actually *knowing* it all is very relieving...

[JoeMo]

I have found that the only people that don't openly talk about their personal issues with me are family, good friends, and professed Christians. I can't tell you the things that non-believing "single-serving friends" - like people on a plane or a bus or just walking down the street next to you - have told me when I simply ask "how are you?" I think it's possible that the woman at the well was talking to Jesus as a "single-serving friend" until she realized she was in over her head. However, when Jesus accepted her where she was rather than condemn her, He endeared Himself to her; and she immediately trusted Him (which was very cool of her). Jesus changed her life by encouraging her rather than judging her. We should do likewise.

Not only that,but we should be as transparent with others as we want them to be with us. Many people will not be totally honest with us until we are totally honest with them. I have been rejected (judged) by many people by practicing this; but I've also made some very good friends. I strive to be non-judgmental and non-threatening (not that i am always successful).

[JoeMo]

I find it interesting that non-believers are much more transparent and trusting than most Christians are. Didn't Paul advise us to confess our sins to one another? I have conscripted a couple of spiritual advisors to whom I have told my deepest and darkest secrets; and they have appreciated my trust in them more than they have "judged" me for my sins. That is an awesome experience. They - in turn - have shared with me.

[Sojourner]

My understanding is that her reaction is one of surprise and amazement that He knew those things about her, clearly by spiritual insight. He stated the exact number and exact details re her current situation, not that she was simply a loose woman so to speak.

In the culture Jesus was already condemned by the religious leaders for simply speaking to her, I suspect she knew that fact and realized that he was building a bridge to her so to speak by simply being there. In our modern times that suggests to me that there is also no one that we should hold back from in terms of sharing the revelation of who Jesus Christ really is also.

[Gail]

Yes, it wasn't her trusting Him with the information; he knew her history before she had a chance.

I think that I would be impressed, too!

[JoeMo]

Quote:

"hose-bag"???? never heard that one...

It's a Canadian thing; but it makes perfect sense. Think about it (or not) ...

[Gregory Matthews]

Hose bag, is that related to an enema bag?

[Johann]

In my Bible reading I have reached John 4 and the story of the Samaritan woman.

Have you ever noticed that after Jesus brings the fact to light that the woman has been married five times and is now living common-law that she doesn't shrink in shame before Him?

In modern day terms I liken that to being called a hose-bag or a "loose" woman. A secular person might not bat an eye at that but this woman was in the presence of a Jew (who despised the Samaritans enough already).

But Jesus reminds her of this, as if she changes her men like she changes her clothes, and the woman does not retaliate in anger nor cowers in shame. She perceives that she was talking to a holy person AND that the holy Person is not condemning her. She wants more and pursues the conversation.

Wow! How is Jesus so successful in reaching people like this? Who would have known to follow this course of action and who of us could do it with the same result?

She ran into town to tell the news: She had found the Messiah. Was she sent by Jesus as a first evangelist to the Samaritans? Who is sent to proclaim the Glad Tidings?

[joeb]

Have you ever noticed that after Jesus brings the fact to light that the woman has been married five times and is now living common-law that she doesn't shrink in shame before Him?

...

Wow! How is Jesus so successful in reaching people like this? Who would have known to follow this course of action and who of us could do it with the same result?

I think the answer to this is so obvious that we ofte overlook it.

Jesus' had such a heart of love for those around Him that people could sense it immediately. Thus He could say things like what He said to this woman and whoever He was talking to would know immediately that there was no condemnation, no I'm-better-than-you-are at all within Him. Instead they knew that whatever He said was said out of love and His desire to help them.

We pick up on attiudes almost immediately. It's displayed in body language, tone of voice, etc.... Jesus wasn't communicating remotely as we do here where all of the things said are done so outside of the things we instinctively pick up on when in a person's presence, which actually contain the majority of our ability to communicate.