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The Spirit of Prophecy Volume 2
forms and ceremonies, but was to be throned in the heart, purifying
the life and actuating to good works.
The words of truth that fell from the lips of the divine Teacher
stirred the heart of his listener. Never had she heard such sentiments,
either from the priests of her own people or the Jews. The impressive
teachings of this stranger carried her mind back to the prophecies
concerning the promised Christ; for the Samaritans as well as the Jews
looked for his coming. “I know that Messias cometh,” said she; “when
he is come, he will tell us all things.” Jesus answered, “I that speak
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unto thee am he.”
Blessed woman of Samaria! She had felt during the conference as
if in the presence of divinity; now she gladly acknowledged her Lord.
She required of him no miracle, as did the Jews, to prove his divine
character. She accepted his assertion, feeling perfect confidence in his
words, and not questioning the holy influence that emanated from him.
The disciples, returning from their errand, were surprised to find
their Master conversing with a Samaritan woman; yet they did not
inquire her errand, nor ask Jesus why he talked with her. The woman
left her water-pot, forgetting her errand to the well, and went her way
into the city, saying to all whom she met, and the men of the city,
“Come, see a man who told me all things that ever I did. Is not this the
Christ?”
This woman, though so sinful, was still in a more favorable con-
dition to become an heir of Christ’s kingdom than those of the Jews
who made exalted professions of piety, yet trusted their salvation to
the observance of outward forms and ceremonies. They felt that they
needed no Saviour and no teacher. But this poor woman hungered and
thirsted after righteousness. She was eager for instruction, waiting
for the consolation of Israel, and ready to accept the Saviour when he
was revealed. Jesus, who explained not his character to the proud and
skeptical Pharisees and rulers, declared himself to this humble person
who was ready to believe on him.
As yet he had not taken the refreshing draught that he desired,
nor tasted the food that his disciples had brought him. The salvation
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of perishing souls so absorbed his attention that his physical wants
were forgotten. But his followers anxiously entreated him to eat. Still
contemplating the great object of his mission, he answered them, “I
have meat to eat that ye know not of.” His disciples were surprised,