John 4:10 Jesus answered and said to her, If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that said to you, Give me to drink… The purifying, refreshing, and fertilizing qualities of water aptly symbolize the operations of the Holy Spirit (John 7:38, 39; Zechariah 14:6; Isaiah 44:3). I. THE HOLY GHOST IS "THE GIFT OF GOD," and is so styled by way of pre-eminence. He is a gift — 1. Which virtually comprehends every other blessing. 2. Without it every other gift is unsatisfying. 3. Its attainment not only compensated for the loss of Christ, but made His departure expedient (John 16:7). 4. Without it even the unspeakable gift of the Saviour is vouchsafed in vain (1 Peter 1:2). II. The Holy Ghost is here represented as the GIFT OF CHRIST as well. "He would have given thee." 1. From first to last the merits of Christ are the only procuring cause of our redemption. 2. As Mediator He has obtained the disposal of this gift (Colossians 1:19; Acts 2:33; Ephesians 4:7). III. PRAYER IS THE APPOINTED MEANS FOR OBTAINING THIS GIFT. "Thou wouldst have asked." 1. While Christ declares His readiness to bestow, He intimates the necessity of application. So does the Scripture throughout (Ezekiel 36:37). This at once consults the honour of God and the infirmity of man; leaving to God the glory of supplying our necessities, but constituting a test of our humility, faith, and obedience. 2. The efficacy as well as the necessity of prayer is pointed out. "He would have given" (Luke 11:13). IV. ONE CAUSE WHY MEN NEGLECT THIS GIFT IS THEIR IGNORANCE RESPECTING IT. They know not its nature and value; nor their own need of it; nor the manner of obtaining it; nor Christ's power and willingness to impart it; therefore they make no inquiries about it. "If thou knewest." 1. Whence does this ignorance arise? not from want of opportunity, instruction, or capacity, but want of attention to revealed truth. Whatever excuse may be urged for the woman there is none for you. 2. This ignorance will not extenuate guilt (Isaiah 5:12, 13; Isaiah 27:11; Luke 19:44). Parallel Verses KJV: Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water. |
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