‘“Go and get your husband,” Jesus told her. “I don’t have a husband,” the woman replied. Jesus said, “You’re right! You don’t have a husband— for you have had five husbands, and you aren’t even married to the man you’re living with now. You certainly spoke the truth!” “Sir,” the woman said, “you must be a prophet. ‘ John 4:16-19(NLT)
‘So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.’ Hebrews 4:16(NLT)
‘For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord . “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. ‘ Jeremiah 29:11(NLT)
‘Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.’ Isaiah 41:10(NLT)
‘But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. ‘ Romans 5:8(NLT)
Ready to pick back up on the story of Jesus and the Samaritan woman?
When we look at this woman’s relationship status, we can see that she had a complicated and dysfunctional love life. We don’t know what all has happened, but we can probably all agree that love had failed her. She had gone from relationship to relationship and come up dry.
Given her reputation with men, she would’ve definitely been looked down upon and ostracized in her society (and even in our society today). We live in a fallen, sinful world. People mess up, and life and love are painful.
This woman had surely experienced an enormous amount of pain, brokenness, and shame. She had five previous husbands and was living with a man that wasn’t her husband. She probably felt not good enough, not worthy of love, and like a failure—and it sounds like she may have given up on the idea of marriage.
Let’s look at how good God is to her and to us. He met her in her brokenness and didn’t heap judgment upon her, but showed her the way to freedom and restoration. He gave this woman the keys to unending love by inviting her into an eternal marriage.
Jesus offered her His hand and essentially said, “I can see that you’ve given up, but please don’t lose heart. My love for you won’t run dry. I’ll satisfy the scorched places in your heart. I’ll bind up the wounds and heal the broken places within you. I’ll bring you lasting love and joyful life. I want you as my bride.”
This story is for those of us who have ever found ourselves in the same boat as this woman. Maybe you’re in a loveless marriage. Maybe your husband left you, or maybe you left him. Maybe you’re single and can’t find someone to share your life with. Maybe you’re divorced and it was awful and messy and you feel like a failure.
Whatever your situation, God’s love covers it. His love doesn’t run out.
Jesus knows your story just like He knew this woman’s story, and He’ll never give up on you. It doesn’t matter if you’re married or single, divorced or widowed, with someone or alone. The bottom line is that He wants you as His bride. He’s saying to you, “Trust me! I’ll never leave you or forsake you. I want you!”
Jesus didn’t rebuke or judge the Samaritan woman. He revealed to her how to be spiritually right with Him. He showed her the keys to His kingdom and filled the longing in her soul. He loved her.
Know this today: You can’t out-sin God’s grace. He loves you no matter what. He covers your shame, leads you to healing, and has big plans for your life. The Samaritan woman is who Jesus came for, and so are you.
from Will You Marry Me?