January
21, 2003
I
KNOW THE MESSIAH IS COMING!
"The
woman said to Him, 'I know that Messiah is coming. When He
comes, He will tell us all things" (John 4:25, NKJV).
"Jesus
said to her, 'I who speak to you am
He' "(John 4:26).
"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 Your God will raise up for you a Prophet
like me from your midst, from your brethren. Him you shall
hear' (Deuteronomy 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 food to eat of which you do not know' (John 4:32).
"The
disciples wondered who could have brought Him food; but He
explained, 'My food is to do the will
of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work' (John 4:34).
As His words to the woman had aroused her conscience, Jesus
rejoiced. He saw her drinking of the water 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."-- The
Desire of Ages, pp. 190, 191. (to be continued)
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