John 4:27-42 And on this came his disciples, and marveled that he talked with the woman: yet no man said, What seek you? or, Why talk you with her?… I. PREJUDICE CREATING WONDER. The disciples had never examined the question as to the inferiority of women for themselves. II. REVERENCE LIMITING INQUIRY. Though not understanding or deeming it improper, they did not dare to question. Genuine reverence will not allow the intellect to interrogate the Almighty, but recognizes the infinite dis. parity between the thoughts and ways of God and those of men. It becomes us to be humble listeners rather than busy critics. III. CHRISTIANITY WORKING IN LIFE. Mark how faith worked in the woman. 1. Emotionally. The more Divine our feeling the less our care for worldly things. 2. Proselytingly. Her strong desire made her a blessed missionary. 3. Religiously. She knew that Christ had sounded the depths of her history. 4. Influentially. Real earnestness wields a magic wand. IV. MAN FEASTING ON THE INVISIBLE. 1. A common natural fact — the influence of the emotions on the physical appetite. 2. The rare moral fact — the consciousness of acting in harmony with the Divine will, creating forgetfulness to bodily need. (D. Thomas, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: And upon this came his disciples, and marvelled that he talked with the woman: yet no man said, What seekest thou? or, Why talkest thou with her? |
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