The Pulpit Commentary — John — Volume 1 — Section 326

Ver. 15.-The Supplimit supplwtea. Our Lord Jesus was so truly Divine that he ha.d only to he in the society of human beings who had any spiritual susceptibility and power of Rppreciation, in order to awaken their revereuce and to call forth their con- fidence. Such proved to be the case in this memorable incident. I. A CHANGE OF SPIRITUAL ATTITUDE IB IIRRB EXRIDITED, At first Jesus had asked water from the Samaritan woman, who seemed almost reluctant to grant so small a favour, and who laid stress upon nationality rather than upon humanity. Dut a short conversation wrought a marvellous change. And soon the woman came to bea for living water from him who hnd just before asked from her a draught from Jacob's ~veil. Ilow many have listened to the gospel, have turned their gaze towards Christ, with indifference, and evc-n with a kind of ignorant condescension, who, upon knowing more of him, have exchanged indifference and contempt for reverence and faith I '!'here aro t.hose who consider that a favour is asked from them by the ministers of religion when they a.re urged to ac~pt the Lord Jesus; who seem to suppose that their adhesion would be a boon, if not to the Saviour, yet to his people. Let such persons really come into spiritual contact with Christ, and the case will be altogether changed. 'l'hey will then see that they have nothing to give, and all to gain, and the Divine Benefactor of humanity m.11 be approached with humble entreaty. lL 'fm; ATTRACTION EXERCISED BY THE DIVINE WATER OF LIFE IS HERE ILLUS- TRATED. 1. We discern, on the part of the Samaritan woman, the desire for personal satisfaction. "That I thirst not" is a plea that personal cravings may be stilled and personal wants supplied. Let Christ's gift be understood, and the approach of it will excite the longing of the needy spirit.. 2. We perceive also the desire to take to others, by a ministry of help, a Divine satisfaction. "Neither come hither to draw " is language which reminds us that the woman came to the well, uot only tci supply her own need, but to fetch water for her household. Could Jesus help her to minister to the wants of others in some way more satisfactory and less tedious than that to which she was accustomed ? Experience shows that to realize, not only our own wants, but the wants of those connected with and dependent upon us, is increasingly to appreciate that spiritual provision which is symbolized by the living water. ill. A.PPLIC.ATION TO THE TRUE SOUXCE FOR THE WATER OF LIFE 18 HERE EXEM- PLIFIED. With all her faults, there were in this woman a clearness of thinking, a directness of language, and a candour of disposition which we cannot but ad.mire. Once convinced that the mysterious Stranger before her had great gifts to confer, she promptly sought the promised good. The directness of her appeal, in which was no qualification, is an example to all who approach Christ. Those whom the gospel reaches, and who are convinced that the Lord Jesus is the Spring of life eternal to mankind, are reminded tb&t they should apply without delay to the Personal and Divine Source o.f the highest blessing, with the assurance, which his character inspires, that they cannot ask of him in \'ain.-T. 'Ver. 2L- Worship and holy pla.«s. The superstition of the Samaritan woman gave occa.sion to the utterances by Christ of his sublime revelation regarding the spirituality of worship. There was competition between the Samaritans, who performed their devotions upon the summit of Gerizim, and the Jews, to whom Jerusalem was the holy city and the temple the house of God. Jesus put aside this controversy and rivalry, and passed from it to the enunciation of specially Christian truth. L TwmE IS A NATURAL TENDENCY IN llEN AND IN NATIONS TO REGABD CERTAIN Pr.ACES AS SACRED. Where is the country in which there have not been consecrated mountains, valleys, and groves? Where the religion which has not boasted its sacred oracles, its solemn temples, its spots hallowed by memorable, by awful associations? Devotion, at all eventB of a kind, is stimulated by local assistance. The buildings where one has experienced unusual emotions acquire sanctity and elicit reverence. lL THE SATISFACTION OF THIS TENDENCY OFTEN OBSCURES THE SPIRITUALITY OF TRUE WORSHIP, The means are mistaken for the end; the place for the purposes i~ is intended to promote. Hence it has often come to pass that those who are most employed about sacred places, and who become most familiar with them, have less than others of the sentiment of true devotion. 'fhere is a proverb, "The nearer to Rou1e, the further from God." OH, IV, l-u4.] THE GOSPEL .ACCORDING TO ST. JOHN. 191