按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
Teacher； who； foreseeing the difficulties they must meet； had given them help in His own example。
The Saviour is still carrying forward the same work as when He proffered the water of life to the woman of Samaria。 Those who call themselves His followers may despise and shun the outcast ones； but no circumstance of birth or nationality； no condition of life； can turn away His love from the children of men。 To every soul； however sinful； Jesus says； If thou hadst asked of Me； I would have given thee living water。
The gospel invitation is not to be narrowed down； and presented only to a select few； who； we suppose； will do us honor if they accept it。 The message is to be given to all。 Wherever hearts are open to receive the truth； Christ is ready to instruct them。 He reveals to them the Father； and the worship acceptable to Him who reads the heart。 For such He uses no parables。 To them； as to the woman at the well； He says； 〃I that speak unto thee am He。〃
When Jesus sat down to rest at Jacob's well； He had come from Judea； where His ministry had produced little fruit。 He had been rejected by the priests and rabbis； and even the people who professed to be His disciples had failed of perceiving His divine character。 He was faint and weary； yet He did not neglect the opportunity of speaking to one woman； though she was a stranger； an alien from Israel； and living in open sin。
The Saviour did not wait for congregations to assemble。 Often He began His lessons with only a few gathered about Him； but one by one the passers…by paused to listen； until a multitude heard with wonder and awe the words of God through the heaven…sent Teacher。 The worker for Christ should not feel that he cannot speak with the same earnestness to a few hearers as to a larger company。 There may be only one to hear the message； but who can tell how far…reaching will be its influence？ It seemed a small matter； even to His disciples； for the Saviour to spend
195
His time upon a woman of Samaria。 But He reasoned more earnestly and eloquently with her than with kings； councilors； or high priests。 The lessons He gave to that woman have been repeated to the earth's remotest bounds。
As soon as she had found the Saviour the Samaritan woman brought others to Him。 She proved herself a more effective missionary than His own disciples。 The disciples saw nothing in Samaria to indicate that it was an encouraging field。 Their thoughts were fixed upon a great work to be done in the future。 They did not see that right around them was a harvest to be gathered。 But through the woman whom they despised； a whole cityful were brought to hear the Saviour。 She carried the light at once to her countrymen。
This woman represents the working of a practical faith in Christ。 Every true disciple is born into the kingdom of God as a missionary。 He who drinks of the living water becomes a fountain of life。 The receiver becomes a giver。 The grace of Christ in the soul is like a spring in the desert； welling up to refresh all； and making those who are ready to perish eager to drink of the water of life。
（196）
Chapter 20
〃Except Ye See Signs and Wonders〃
The Galileans who returned from the Passover brought back the report of the wonderful works of Jesus。 The judgment passed upon His acts by the dignitaries at Jerusalem opened His way in Galilee。 Many of the people lamented the abuse of the temple and the greed and arrogance of the priests。 They hoped that this Man； who had put the rulers to flight； might be the looked…for Deliverer。 Now tidings had come that seemed to confirm their brightest anticipations。 It was reported that the prophet had declared Himself to be the Messiah。
But the people of Nazareth did not believe on Him。 For this reason； Jesus did not visit Nazareth on His way to Cana。 The Saviour declared to His disciples that a prophet has no honor in his own country。 Men estimate character by that which they themselves are capable of appreciating。 The narrow and worldly…minded judged of Christ by His humble birth； His lowly garb； and daily toil。 They could not appreciate the purity of that spirit upon which was no stain of sin。
The news of Christ's return to Cana soon spread throughout Galilee； bringing hope to the suffering and distressed。 In Capernaum the tidings attracted the attention of a Jewish nobleman who was an officer in the
197
king's service。 A son of the officer was suffering from what seemed to be an incurable disease。 Physicians had given him up to die； but when the father heard of Jesus； he determined to seek help from Him。 The child was very low； and； it was feared； might not live till his return； yet the nobleman felt that he must present the case in person。 He hoped that a father's prayers might awaken the sympathy of the Great Physician。
On reaching Cana he found a throng surrounding Jesus。 With an anxious heart he pressed through to the Saviour's presence。 His faith faltered when he saw only a plainly dressed man； dusty and worn with travel。 He doubted that this Person could do what he had come to ask of Him； yet he secured an interview with Jesus； told his errand； and besought the Saviour to accompany him to his home。 But already his
198
sorrow was known to Jesus。 Before the officer had left his home； the Saviour had beheld his affliction。
But He knew also that the father had； in his own mind； made conditions concerning his belief in Jesus。 Unless his petition should be granted； he would not receive Him as the Messiah。 While the officer waited in an agony of suspense； Jesus said； 〃Except ye see signs and wonders； ye will not believe。〃
Notwithstanding all the evidence that Jesus was the Christ； the petitioner had determined to make his belief in Him conditional on the granting of his own request。 The Saviour contrasted this questioning unbelief with the simple faith of the Samaritans； who asked for no miracle or sign。 His word； the ever…present evidence of His divinity； had a convincing power that reached their hearts。 Christ was pained that His own people； to whom the Sacred Oracles had been committed； should fail to hear the voice of God speaking to them in His Son。
Yet the nobleman had a degree of faith； for he had come to ask what seemed to him the most precious of all blessings。 Jesus had a greater gift to bestow。 He desired； not only to heal the child； but to make the officer and his household sharers in the blessings of salvation； and to kindle a light in Capernaum； which was so soon to be the field of His own labors。 But the nobleman must realize his need before he would desire the grace of Christ。 This courtier represented many of his nation。 They were interested in Jesus from selfish motives。 They hoped to receive some special benefit through His power； and they staked their faith on the granting of this temporal favor； but they were ignorant as to their spiritual disease； and saw not their need of divine grace。
Like a flash of light； the Saviour's words to the nobleman laid bare his heart。