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raven images。
When the temple at Jerusalem was rebuilt in the days of Ezra； the Samaritans wished to join the Jews in its erection。 This privilege was refused them； and a bitter animosity sprang up between the two peoples。 The Samaritans built a rival temple on Mount Gerizim。 Here they worshiped in accordance with the Mosaic ritual； though they did not wholly renounce idolatry。 But disasters attended them； their temple was destroyed by their enemies； and they seemed to be under a curse； yet they still clung to their traditions and their forms of worship。 They would not acknowledge the temple at Jerusalem as the house of God； nor admit that the religion of the Jews was superior to their own。
In answer to the woman； Jesus said； 〃Believe Me； the hour cometh； when ye shall neither in this mountain； nor yet at Jerusalem； worship the Father。 Ye worship ye know not what： we know what we worship： for salvation is of the Jews。〃 Jesus had shown that He was free from Jewish prejudice against the Samaritans。 Now He sought to break down
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the prejudice of this Samaritan against the Jews。 While referring to the fact that the faith of the Samaritans was corrupted with idolatry； He declared that the great truths of redemption had been committed to the Jews； and that from among them the Messiah was to appear。 In the Sacred Writings they had a clear presentation of the character of God and the principles of His government。 Jesus classed Himself with the Jews as those to whom God had given a knowledge of Himself。
He desired to lift the thoughts of His hearer above matters of form and ceremony； and questions of controversy。 〃The hour cometh；〃 He said； 〃and now is； when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth： for the Father seeketh such to worship Him。 God is a Spirit： and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth。〃
Here is declared the same truth that Jesus had revealed to Nicodemus when He said； 〃Except a man be born from above； he cannot see the kingdom of God。〃 John 3：3； margin。 Not by seeking a holy mountain or a sacred temple are men brought into communion with heaven。 Religion is not to be confined to external forms and ceremonies。 The religion that comes from God is the only religion that will lead to God。 In order to serve Him aright； we must be born of the divine Spirit。 This will purify the heart and renew the mind； giving us a new capacity for knowing and loving God。 It will give us a willing obedience to all His requirements。 This is true worship。 It is the fruit of the working of the Holy Spirit。 By the Spirit every sincere prayer is indited； and such prayer is acceptable to God。 Wherever a soul reaches out after God； there the Spirit's working is manifest； and God will reveal Himself to that soul。 For such worshipers He is seeking。 He waits to receive them； and to make them His sons and daughters。
As the woman talked with Jesus； she was impressed with His words。 Never had she heard such sentiments from the priests of her own people or from the Jews。 As the past of her life had been spread out before her； she had been made sensible of her great want。 She realized her soul thirst； which the waters of the well of Sychar could never satisfy。 Nothing that had hitherto come in contact with her had so awakened her to a higher need。 Jesus had convinced her that He read the secrets of her life； yet she felt that He was her friend； pitying and loving her。 While the very purity of His presence condemned her sin； He had spoken no word of denunciation； but had told her of His grace； that could renew
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the soul。 She began to have some conviction of His character。 The question arose in her mind； Might not this be the long…looked…for Messiah？ She said to Him； 〃I know that Messias cometh； which is called Christ： when He is come； He will tell us all things。〃 Jesus answered； 〃I that speak unto thee am He。〃
As the woman heard these words； faith sprang up in her heart。 She accepted the wonderful announcement from the lips of the divine Teacher。
This woman was in an appreciative state of mind。 She was ready to receive the noblest revelation； for she was interested in the Scriptures； and the Holy Spirit had been preparing her mind to receive more light。 She had studied the Old Testament promise； 〃The Lord thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee； of thy brethren； like unto me； unto Him ye shall hearken。〃 Deut。 18：15。 She longed to understand this prophecy。 Light was already flashing into her mind。 The water of life； the spiritual life which Christ gives to every thirsty soul； had begun to spring up in her heart。 The Spirit of the Lord was working with her。
The plain statement made by Christ to this woman could not have been made to the self…righteous Jews。 Christ was far more reserved when He spoke to them。 That which had been withheld from the Jews； and which the disciples were afterward enjoined to keep secret； was revealed to her。 Jesus saw that she would make use of her knowledge in bringing others to share His grace。
When the disciples returned from their errand； they were surprised to find their Master speaking with the woman。 He had not taken the refreshing draught that He desired； and He did not stop to eat the food His disciples had brought。 When the woman had gone； the disciples entreated Him to eat。 They saw Him silent； absorbed； as in rapt meditation。 His face was beaming with light； and they feared to interrupt His communion with heaven。 But they knew that He was faint and weary； and thought it their duty to remind Him of His physical necessities。 Jesus recognized their loving interest； and He said； 〃I have meat to eat that ye know not of。〃
The disciples wondered who could have brought Him food； but He explained； 〃My meat is to do the will of Him that sent Me； and to accomplish His work。〃 John 4：34； R。 V。 As His words to the woman had aroused her conscience； Jesus rejoiced。 He saw her drinking of the water
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of life； and His own hunger and thirst were satisfied。 The accomplishment of the mission which He had left heaven to perform strengthened the Saviour for His labor； and lifted Him above the necessities of humanity。 To minister to a soul hungering and thirsting for the truth was more grateful to Him than eating or drinking。 It was a comfort； a refreshment； to Him。 Benevolence was the life of His soul。
Our Redeemer thirsts for recognition。 He hungers for the sympathy and love of those whom He has purchased with His own blood。 He longs with inexpressible desire that they should come to Him and have life。 As the mother watches for the smile of recognition from her little child； which tells of the dawning of intelligence； so does Christ watch for the expression of grateful love； which shows that spiritual life is begun in the soul。
The woman had been filled with joy as she listened to Christ's words。 The wonderful revelation was almost overpowering。 Leaving her waterpot； she returned to the city； to carry the message to others。 Jesus knew why she had gone。 Leaving her waterpot sp