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. Sacred story records many CRISIS-HOURS OF THRILLING INTEREST. Eli trembling for the ark; David trembling for the fate of Absalom. II. WHO OF US HAS NOT KNOWN SIMILAR SEASONS? 1. When the telegraph has flashed the message of a distant bereavement; when we have watched an approaching dissolution. 2. Or to take the converse of these, a birth; a return; the first success in business; the triumph of an honourable ambition. These are like the illi dies of the old Roman, days marked with white or black chalk, symbols of joy or sorrow. 3. But what season can be compared to the crisis-hour of a soul's conversion; what day so worthy to be marked with the white chalk of gladness? III. SUCH SEASONS THRILL THE SPIRIT INTO SILENCE. 1. Is it a time of overpowering sorrow? The word expresses our meaning; the lips refuse to tell out the secrets of the dumb-stricken heart. 2. Is it some joyful occasion? Joy has its stunning moment, and holds fast the flood-gates of speech. 3. Such is the picture before us. The disciples have just come up. They hear the last most momentous words. And now not a word is uttered. All three parties are spell bound; the woman a moment before so garrulous; the disciples with all their curiosity; the Master more than all. IV. The great lesson of the incident is THE DUTY OF SILENCE UNDER THE DIVINE DISPENSATIONS. 1. Often, like the disciples, we hays reason to marvel at the Lord's doings. Providence often seems a dark enigma. God's name is "Secret," and blind unbelief is prone to ask, "What seekest Thou?" in the sudden ruin el business prospects; the pillaging of dearer household treasure; the breaking of the strong staff. 2. But the duty, the prerogative, the triumph of faith is to be silent, owning the faithfulness of God as David, "I was dumb, I opened not my mouth, because Thou didst it"; as Aaron who, under a deeper trial, "held his peace"; as our Lord who, "was oppressed, afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth." 3. This duty is often inculcated (Psalm 37:7 (marg.), 62:1; Zechariah 2:13; Habakkuk 2:1-3). 4. Blessed it will be for us if, amid "frowning providences" instead of questioning, we are ready to hear the voice of the invisible saying, "Hold thee still and know that I am God." The dutiful servant asks no reason of his master; nor the loyal soldier of his commander; the faithful workman asks no reason for those rude gashes in the quarry; he is content to wait till its sculptor fashions the unshapely block into symmetry. (J. R. Macduff, 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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