Salvation Removes Our Shame
By Andrea Chatelain
“Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?” John 4:29
Think of your worst day. The one you hope no one saw. Or your biggest mistake. That thing you still haven’t forgiven yourself for. What if I told you that Jesus was there that day? Would that make you squirm? What if I told you that is the best news ever?
In John chapter four, Jesus was sitting by a well one day, tired and thirsty. Up walked a woman. She was the kind others would avoid because she’d slept around. Yet Jesus spoke to her and asked her for a drink. Instead of drawing water, she wondered why a Jewish man, someone who clearly socially outranked her, would even speak to her. Her insecurities caused her to be leery of Him.
Sometimes we feel like that, right? We think, why would Jesus love me? Why would He hear or answer my prayers? Why would He be on my side if He really knew what I’ve done and all the ways I’ve messed up. Truth is He does know. But His response is the opposite of what we deserve.
Jesus knows every time we spoke out of anger, all our failures in motherhood or marriage, and every gossip or lie we ever told. He could say, “It’s time to reap your consequences!” Instead, like He did for the woman at the well, He offers Himself.
Because Jesus led a sinless life and died a sinner’s death on the cross, we get to take our worst moments and trade them for God’s grace and forgiveness. If you’ve trusted your life to Jesus and asked for forgiveness, He’s not thinking about your past anymore and doesn’t want you to dwell there either. Jesus wants your eyes forward, looking out for opportunities to grant others the mercy you’ve received.
Andrea Chatelain’s mission is to meet women in their struggles and love them forward with God’s truth. She's part of the Wholly Loved Ministries team, is a Midwest mom of three, faith and family writer, and college English instructor to immigrants and refugees. It’s her joy to lead Bible studies in her neighborhood, church, and community because she believes Jesus transforms lives when His people boldly seek Him. Her writing reflects her love for Jesus and heart for fellow believers. Connect with Andrea more online at www.afruitfulwoman.com.
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Originally published Friday, 03 February 2023.
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