John 4:42 And said to the woman, Now we believe, not because of your saying: for we have heard him ourselves… I. ITS AWAKENING. Through indirect testimony concerning Christ. In this ease by speaking of the woman; in other cases through the witness born of and to Christ — 1. By parents to children. 2. Ministers to congregations. 3. Teachers to scholars. 4. Believers generally to the world. 5. The scriptures to readers. II. ITS CONFIRMATION. By the direct testimony of Christ Himself. In this case through Christ's conversation with the Samaritans; in others, by the word of Christ carried home to the individual heart by the Spirit of Christ. III. ITS ILLUMINATION. In the attainment of a true knowledge of Christ's person and work. As here, learning led to believing, and believing to knowing; so will all in whom the ear and eye of faith are opened, the taking up of Christ's word, and through that of Christ Himself, into the heart leads to that higher knowledge of Christ in which consists eternal life (John 17:2). Lessons: 1. The value of Christian instruction. 2. The indispensableness of Christ's own teaching. 3. The insight of faith. (T. Whitelaw, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world. |
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