We have, for one thing, in these verses, an instructive pat- tern of zeal for the good of others. We read, that our Lord Jesus Christ declares, " My meat is to do the will of him which sent me, and to finish his work." To do good was not merely duty and pleasure to Him. He counted it as His food, meat and drink. Job, one of the holiest Old Testament saints, could say, that he esteemed God's word " more than his necessary food." (Job xxiii. 15.) Tlie Great Head of the New Testament Church went even further. He could say the same of God's work.
Do w^e do any work for God ? Do we try, however feebly, to set forward His cause on earth, — to check that which is evil, to promote that which is good ? If we do, let us never be ashamed of doing it with all our heart, and soul, and mind, and strength. Whatsoever our hand finds to do for the souls of others, let us do it with our might. (Eccles. ix. 10.) The world may mock and sneer, and call us enthusiasts. The world can admire zeal in any service but that of God, and can j^raise enthusiasm on any subject but *that of religion. Let us work on unmoved. Whatever men may say and think, w6 are walking in the steps of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Let us, beside this, take comfort in the thought that Jesus Christ never changes. He that sat by the well of Samaria, and found it "meat and drink" to do good to an ignorant soul, is always in one mind. High in heaven at God's right hand. He still delights to save sinners, and still approves zeal and labour in the cause of God. The work of the missionary and the evangelist may be despised and ridiculed in many quarters. But while man is mock- lug, Christ is well pleased. Thanks be to God, Jesus la the same yesterday, and to-day, and for ever.
We have, for another thing, in these verses, strong en- couragement held out to those who labour to do good to souls. We read, that our Lord described the world as a