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Confrontation at Jacob’s Well, October 15
John 4:4-42
Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst;
but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water
springing up into everlasting life.
John 4:14
.
When Jesus sat down to rest at Jacob’s well, He had come from Judea, where
His ministry had produced little fruit.... He was faint and weary; yet He did not
neglect the opportunity of speaking to one woman, though she was a stranger,
an alien from Israel, and living in open sin
As the woman talked with Jesus, she was impressed with His words.... She
realized her soul thirst, which the waters of the well of Sychar could never satisfy.
Nothing that had hitherto come in contact with her had so awakened her to a
higher need. Jesus had convinced her that He read the secrets of her life; yet he
felt that He was her friend, pitying and loving her. While the very purity of His
presence condemned her sin, He had spoken no word of denunciation, but had
told her of His grace, that could renew the soul....
Leaving her waterpot, she returned to the city, to carry the message to
others.... With heart overflowing with gladness, she hastened on her way, to
impart to others the precious light she had received.
“Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did,” she said to the
men of the city. “Is not this the Christ?” Her words touched their hearts. There
was a new expression on her face, a change in her whole appearance. They were
interested to see Jesus
As soon as she had found the Saviour the Samaritan woman brought others
to Him. She proved herself a more effective missionary than His own disciples....
Their thoughts were fixed upon a great work to be done in the future. They did
not see that right around them was a harvest to be gathered. But through the
woman whom they despised, a whole cityful were brought to hear the Saviour....
This woman represents the working of a practical faith in Christ. Every true
disciple is born into the kingdom of God as a missionary. He who drinks of the
living water becomes a fountain of life. The receiver becomes a giver
[295]
24
Ibid., 194
.
25
Ibid., 189, 191
.
26
Ibid., 195
.
306