The Pulpit Commentary — John — Volume 1 — Section 338

noontide hour to get wRter at the well. HRrd as her lot wnR, it was not peculiarly hard; she would not be worse off th1m most women of her acquaintance. Think too of the light thrown upon the life of womRn in thAt place by the startling announ'cem~nt of Jesns, "'l'hon hl\St had five husbands." Somo of these, perhaps, had died, but some rossibly all even, bad got tired of the wifo, and marle an excuso to send her awn/ Considering the nel'd of the woman, the rra\ marvel would have been if Jesus bad remained silent with such a golden opportunity. JI. 'l'HE HELP JEsus GAVE HER. 'l'ake this woman as representative of the toiling, burdened woman everywhere. She has her own share in this world's work and weariness, and more than her own share in the world's monotony. Many women there must be who want refresbmc,nt and brightness, something to make life less mechanical something to bring at least a bit of blue into the sky, a bit of sunshine into the room'. Jesus, speaking to the woman of Samaria, speaks to such. It was irksome work for her coming "hither" daily to draw. So Jesus hiats mysteriously at a new fountain .of "·aters, gushing out with a fulness and fo1·ce which indicated the cxhaustless stores within ; and so the poor woman, thinking but of her daily toil, begs for this water that she may thirst not, neither come to draw. Yet this was the request Jesus did not comply with. She still would have to take her daily journey to Jiicob's welL Jesus helped her otherwise; even spiritually, one hopes that., aft~r getting so much instruction and so many explanations, this wearied woman did have opened up in her heart the well of water springing up to everlasting life. If so, then for ever she would have to bless the journey to the well. Her load of daily duties waa not diminished in itself, but practically it was diminished, because her strength was increased; Thus Jesus would help all women. He is far abovo the limitations of sex. The marvel now is thnt women will not come and talk with Jesus, seeing he is a Helper still wherever the faith and obedience are found that make his help :millable.-Y. Ver. 34.-The purpose of Jesus in eating. I. THE RESOURCES OF JESUS. The disciples had left their Master by the well, wearied, hungry, and thirsty, while they went to the city near by to get some food; certainly they would stay no longer than they could hdp, seeing Jews had no dealings with Samaritans. Returning to Jesus, they are astonished to find a change in bis appearance. He looks fresh and satisfied. Jesus bad ways for recruiting bodily strength and receiving bodily nourishment, such as lie beyond us. He wa.s not hedged in by our limitations, though, as a genero.l rule, he kept within them. Whatever nourishment there be in the customary channel of bread, God can send through some secret and special chnunel, if there be sufficient reason. And such a reason there was here. A weary, exhausted man could not talk to the woman of Samaria as she needed to be talked to. Jesus would always put himself in the best possible state physically for doing the Father's will and finishing his work. IL THE PURPOSE IN EATING. Every human being, because he is a reflecting and responsible being, is bound to con~ider the why and wheref~re of_ every voluntar! act. Jesus cats that he may satisfy hunger, but, when the hunger 1s satisfied, he seeks in the stren!!th thus gained to go on fulfilling the great purpose of his life. Jesus tells us the. purpo';e underlying every meal that he took. He was no ascetic, no imitator of John as to his food; doubtless he sat down at times in the company of gluttons and wine-bibbers, but all the while he would make it plain that he did not eat and drink just to gratify appetite. We are not to eat as the brute beasts, conscious of a recurrent need and a recurrent pleasure, but with no purpose beyond serving the present bodily need, receiving the present bodily pleasure. When good digestion waits on appetite,and health on both, be sure that adds to the responsibilities of life. Having the health that comes from a sound and vigorous stomach, it will be required from us according to our health. It is a shame to see some in health and strength, using it all in selfish pleasure, while others, whose life is one constant struggle against disease and pain, yet manage to work on for God and Christ, their heart~ unwearied, however wearied their bodies may be. IIL THE EXAMPLE OF JEsue IN THIS MATTER, He used what health and· stren!!th Le had to do the will of him that sent him. On<! feels that he must have been °a thoroug~ly healthy man in body. We_ rea~ of him being wearied i, we ~iev~r read of him betng ill. That there should be m lum g1·eat fulness of physical life 1a on. 1v. 1-G4.] THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. JOHN. 203