172. The Source.

The woman saith unto him, Sire thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep; from whence then hast thou that living water? - John 4:11.

OUR Lord's object was to bring the woman to seek salvation of him. Our desire is the immediate conversion of all now present.

The Samaritan woman accepted the Savior upon the first asking.

Many of you have been invited to Jesus many times—will you not at last comply?

Our Lord aimed at her heart by plain teaching and home dealing—we will take the same course with our hearers.

When his interesting emblem failed to reach her, he fell to downright literalism, and unveiled her life. Anything is better than allowing a soul to perish.

I. WE WILL EXPOUND THE PRECEDING TEACHING.

The Lord had said to her, "If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water."

The figure was that of living water in contrast to the water collected in Jacob's well, which was merely the gatherings of the surrounding hills—land-water, not spring-water.

He meant to say that his grace is like water from a springing well.

· It is of the best and most refreshing kind.

· It is living and ministers life.

· It is powerful and finds its own way.

· It is abiding and is never dried up.

· It is abounding and free to all comers.

Furthermore, he intimated to the woman that ---

1. He had it. There was no need of a bucket to draw with.

2. He had it to give.

3. He would have given it for the asking.

4. He alone could give it. It would be found in no earthly well.

II. WE WILL ANSWER THE QUESTION OF THE TEXT.

In ignorance the woman inquired, "Whence then hast thou that living water?"

We can at this time give a fuller reply than could have been given when our Lord sat on the well. He has now a boundless power to save, and that power arises—

1. From his divine nature, allied with his perfect humanity.

2. From the purpose and appointment of God.

3. From the anointing of the Holy Ghost.

4. From his redeeming work, which operated for good even before its actual accomplishment, and which is in full operation now.

5. From the power of his intercession at the Father's right hand.

6. From his representative life in glory. Now all power is delivered into his hand (Matt. 28:18).

III. WE WILL DRAW CERTAIN INFERENCE FROM THE ANSWER.

l. Then he is still able to bless. Since he has this living water only from his unchanging self, he therefore has it now as fully as ever.

2. Then he needs nothing from us. He is himself the one sole Fountain, full and all-sufficient forever.

3. Then we need not fear exhausting his fullness.

4. Then at all times we may come to him, and we need never fear that he will deny us.