At Jacob’s Well
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of His character. The question arose in her mind, Might not this be
the long-looked-for Messiah? She said to Him, “I know that Messias
cometh, which is called Christ: when He is come, He will tell us all
things.” Jesus answered, “I that speak unto thee am He.”
As the woman heard these words, faith sprang up in her heart.
She accepted the wonderful announcement from the lips of the divine
Teacher.
This woman was in an appreciative state of mind. She was ready to
receive the noblest revelation; for she was interested in the Scriptures,
and the Holy Spirit had been preparing her mind to receive more light.
She had studied the Old Testament promise, “The Lord thy God will
raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren,
like unto me; unto Him ye shall hearken.”
Deuteronomy 18:15
. She
longed to understand this prophecy. Light was already flashing into
her mind. The water of life, the spiritual life which Christ gives to
every thirsty soul, had begun to spring up in her heart. The Spirit of
the Lord was working with her.
The plain statement made by Christ to this woman could not have
been made to the self-righteous Jews. Christ was far more reserved
when He spoke to them. That which had been withheld from the Jews,
and which the disciples were afterward enjoined to keep secret, was
revealed to her. Jesus saw that she would make use of her knowledge
in bringing others to share His grace.
When the disciples returned from their errand, they were surprised
to find their Master speaking with the woman. He had not taken
the refreshing draught that He desired, and He did not stop to eat
the food His disciples had brought. When the woman had gone, the
disciples entreated Him to eat. They saw Him silent, absorbed, as in
rapt meditation. His face was beaming with light, and they feared to
interrupt His communion with heaven. But they knew that He was faint
and weary, and thought it their duty to remind Him of His physical
necessities. Jesus recognized their loving interest, and He said, “I have
meat to eat that ye know not of.”
The disciples wondered who could have brought Him food; but
He explained, “My meat is to do the will of Him that sent Me, and to
accomplish His work.”
John 4:34
, R. V. As His words to the woman
had aroused her conscience, Jesus rejoiced. He saw her drinking of
the water of life, and His own hunger and thirst were satisfied. The
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