John 4:11-12 The woman said to him, Sir, you have nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from where then have you that living water?… I. IN EVERY BREAST THERE IS A CRAVING AFTER HAPPINESS. "Who will show us any good?" There are many streams of human enjoyment; some lawful and having the favour of God upon them; some mean and unworthy. But even the best, apart from the infinite excellence, can give no permanent satisfaction. The finite — philosophy, rank, conquest, gold — can never satisfy that which was born for the infinite. II. WHAT IS TO TAKE THE PLACE OF THIS WORLD'S BROKEN CISTERNS? You cannot dislodge one object of earthly affection without the substitution of something better. Nature abhors a vacuum. III. CHRIST DOES NOT CONDEMN MANY EARTHLY STREAMS OR FORBID THEM. The wants of our physical and social natures are co- ordinate with our spiritual. Jesus recognizes both, but says, "If you restrict your journeyings to the wells of human happiness you will not be satisfied. But I have a well of living waters." IV. THE BELIEVER HAS AN INNER WELL IN HIS SOUL which makes him independent of earthly good. This source of lasting joy is ever full, and having access to it he may say, "Having nothing, yet possessing all things." Christ in us the hope of glory. (J. R. Macduff, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water? |
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