394. JOH 4:28, JOH 4:29. THE WOMAN OF SAMARIA

Joh_4:28, Joh_4:29. The Woman Of Samaria

"The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men," &c.’97Joh_4:28, Joh_4:29.

Few narratives in the gospel history have been read with greater interest, than the history of the Samaritan woman. I presents before us a series of instructive and important facts, which cannot fail to edify the devout and contemplative mind. It will only be possible just to glance at the more prominent parts of this portion of the gospel history. The first thing which meets our attention,

I. Is the weary Traveller.

This traveller is on foot, in homely attire, without one sign of temporal distinction or greatness about him.

(1) Who is he? He is the long-predicted Messiah of the Jews, the Saviour of the world. Yes, you behold in that traveller the Prince of the kings of the earth. But he is now on his errand of humiliation and mercy; he is now abasing himself, and appearing as a servant, although he thought it not robbery to be equal with God.

(2) From whence does he come? He had been in Judea, teaching and preaching the gospel of his kingdom. It appears that great multitudes had received his message, and had been baptized by his authority. See chap. Joh_3:26.

(3) Where was he going? He was going into Galilee, and his direct route was through Samaria; therefore it is written, "he must needs," &c., ver. 4. You will find, in his second visit to Galilee, he wrought one of his most wonderful and glorious miracles, the cure of the nobleman’s son, which ended in his conversion, with that of his whole house, ver. 3. Notice, we have brought before us,

II. A thoughtless Sinner.

Such was the Samaritan woman. Her character is stated in ver. 18; but it is evident that she was ignorant of the plague of her own heart, living without God and without hope, &c., a personal stranger to godliness, very far off by wicked works; yet she was a bigot to the national religion of her country. The Samaritans had erected a rival temple on the summit of Mount Gerizim, and contended that theirs was the right temple and the right worship. Their first temple was erected by Sanballat, after the death of Nehemiah; this was destroyed about 130 years before Christ; but most probably had been rebuilt. Now between the Jews and Samaritans there existed a most deadly hatred; beyond buying and selling, all intercourse was forbid den; see ver. 9. It seems, then, this woman’s religion (for such she professed to have) was wrong in every particular.

(1) It was national, not personal. She had no fear of God, &c.

(2) It was based on ancient custom, and not on God’s word, ver. 20.

(3) It was bigoted and malevolent, and not the religion of love. Hence see how she treated Christ, ver. 9. True religion is personal, scriptural, merciful. Such, hen, was the woman. Notice,

III. The happy Meeting.

All seems accidental; Christ is on his journey; it was now the sixth hour, or about noonday; he was tired, and hungry, and thirsty; he rested during the sultry part of the day; he selects a well for the place, most likely designing to dine upon bread and water; his disciples were gone or the provision, and he is alone. But lo! a woman draws near’97the person we have described; and here the Saviour and the sinner meet; the Physician and the sick; She Shepherd and the straying sheep. Jesus, who knew all things, had doubtless foreseen the event. How desirable that such a meeting should take place! How essential! Some of you know the time when you first met with the Saviour. Observe,

IV. The Conversation of the Saviour.

He asks for water, and thus elicits her natural bitterness of spirit. He then refers to her ignorance of the goodness of God to her in his great unspeakable gift, "If thou knewest," &c. Here she evinces her ignorance of spiritual things. Christ still proposes the water of life; he then reveals his knowledge of her sinful state and life, Joh_5:17. Here he draws an indirect confession of her sins; he removes the refuge of lies to which she had fled, and teaches her the nature of acceptable worship; he declares himself to be the Messiah, Joh_5:26.

V. The Conduct of the Woman.

1. She evidently personally believed in the Saviour.

2. She hastened to proclaim the Redeemer to her countrymen. "Left her waterpot," &c.

3. She was instrumental in bringing many to Jesus, Joh_5:30-39.

Application

1. Now Christ is amongst us by the preaching of the gospel.

2. What is the nature of the religion we profess? Do we know him, love him, &c.

3. Are we laboring to bring sinners to Christ?

4. No instrument too feeble to be useful in his cause.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS