John 4:1-42 When therefore the LORD knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John,… I. THE SAVIOUR AS A JEWISH TRAVELLER. Observe three things. 1. The simplicity and humbleness of His life. He comes to this earth as a poor man. Learn from this:(1) That poverty is perfectly compatible with extensive religious usefulness. (2) That religion in particular cases imposes much labour on its disciples. (3) Those who wish to study the Scriptures, must study and labour hard too. 2. The superiority of moral to bodily pleasures. Our Saviour was thirsty, but we do not read that He immediately quenched His thirst. 3. In our Saviour a beautiful instance of amiableness and general benevolence. II. THE VIEW GIVEN OF OUR SAVIOUR AS A DIVINE TEACHER. — "Sir, I perceive Thou art a prophet!" What did He teach? 1. He instructed the woman in divine worship. 2. Let us look on the same subject in another form, and consider the Saviour as giving the doctrine of worship. 3. And worship of God should be in accordance with His nature and character. God is a Spirit, and they that worship Him must do so in spirit and in truth. Our Saviour had in view the overthrow of three great errors: one is atheism. The next error is idolatry. The other error at that time in reference to God and His worship was pantheism. 4. The other lesson our Lord Jesus Christ taught this woman was, He told her all that ever she had done. III. THE THIRD LIGHT IN WHICH JESUS MANIFESTED HIMSELF, WAS AS THE SAVIOUR OF THE WORLD. Here He spiritualizes the scene, and represents Himself as possessing that which was essential to the happiness of men — living water. (Caleb Morris.) Parallel Verses KJV: When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John, |
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