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 THEIR PHYSICAL TYPE. "Water." 1. The flow of water represents the spread of the gospel (Isaiah 35:6, 7; Isaiah 43:19, 20). 2. The influence of water on vegetation illustrates the power of religion on human life (Psalm 1:3; Jeremiah 17:8). 3. The pleasant quietude of water represents the repose of soul which God affords (Psalm 23:2). 4. The quickening energy of water typifies the vivifying power of God's Spirit (Ezekiel 36:25). (1) No physical life without water, no moral life without religion. (a) Vegetable and animal life are absolutely dependent on water. (b) Water as an obstacle to terrestrial radiation saves our world daily from death. (c) So in every way the life of the soul depends on Christ. (2) No physical cleanliness without water; no moral purity apart from Christ. II. IS THEIR CONDITION OF PROFIT. "Drinketh." They are — 1. For all. 2. For all on one condition. 3. For all on the same condition — personal appropriation. III. IN THE MEDIUM OF THEIR COMMUNICATION. "I shall give him." We are indebted to the sun for all water fit for use. The sun lifts the water of the sea in the form of vapour, and by its unequal heat in different sections of the air causes the vapour to descend in rain and dew. All our fresh water owes its origin to this. The impure compound of the sea passes through heaven's laboratory and descends fit for use. All the energies of the Spirit's life are passed beneath Christ's magic touch. IV. IN THEIR PRACTICAL INFLUENCE. "In Him," etc. As the mountain is to water, so is a heart full of Christian sympathies to spiritual energies. 1. The water in dew and rain falls on the mountain; living things are refreshed, the land made fertile and beautiful; life made joyous. 2. The hills absorb the excess of moisture, the water percolating through the rock to inner caverns. 3. Thus when there is no rain or dew, and the heat is great, the mountain pours forth the stream it has treasured up to satisfy the wants of thirsty comers. So the child of God — 1. Receives. 2. Is blessed. 3. Gives and blesses others. (Evan Lewis, B. A.) 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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