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The Desire of Ages
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.”
He who seeks to quench his thirst at the fountains of this world will
drink only to thirst again. Everywhere men are unsatisfied. They long
for something to supply the need of the soul. Only One can meet that
want. The need of the world, “The Desire of all nations,” is Christ. The
divine grace which He alone can impart, is as living water, purifying,
refreshing, and invigorating the soul.
Jesus did not convey the idea that merely one draft of the water of
life would suffice the receiver. He who tastes of the love of Christ will
continually long for more; but he seeks for nothing else. The riches,
honors, and pleasures of the world do not attract him. The constant
cry of his heart is, More of Thee. And He who reveals to the soul
its necessity is waiting to satisfy its hunger and thirst. Every human
resource and dependence will fail. The cisterns will be emptied, the
pools become dry; but our Redeemer is an inexhaustible fountain. We
may drink, and drink again, and ever find a fresh supply. He in whom
Christ dwells has within himself the fountain of blessing,—“a well
of water springing up into everlasting life.” From this source he may
draw strength and grace sufficient for all his needs.
As Jesus spoke of the living water, the woman looked upon Him
with wondering attention. He had aroused her interest, and awakened
a desire for the gift of which He spoke. She perceived that it was not
the water of Jacob’s well to which He referred; for of this she used
continually, drinking, and thirsting again. “Sir,” she said, “give me this
water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw.”
Jesus now abruptly turned the conversation. Before this soul could
receive the gift He longed to bestow, she must be brought to recognize
her sin and her Saviour. He “saith unto her, Go, call thy husband, and
come hither.” She answered, “I have no husband.” Thus she hoped to
prevent all questioning in that direction. But the Saviour continued,
“Thou hast well said, I have no husband: for thou hast had five hus-
bands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: in that saidst
thou truly.”
The listener trembled. A mysterious hand was turning the pages
of her life history, bringing to view that which she had hoped to keep
forever hidden. Who was He that could read the secrets of her life?
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There came to her thoughts of eternity, of the future Judgment, when