What seekest thou ? or, Why talk- |ples prayed him, saying, Master, est thou with her? 28 The woman then left her water-pot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men, 29 Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: Is not this the Christ? 30 Then they went out of the sity, and came unto him. 31 In the mean-while his discia Job 23.12. c.6.38. aim.-We should be confident that Jesus is right, even if we cannot fully understand all that he does. 28. Left her water-pot. Her mind was greatly excited. She was disturbed, and hastened to the city in great agitation to make this known. She seems to have been convinced that he was the Messiah, and went immediately to make it known to others. Our first business, when we have found the Saviour, should be to make him known also to others. 29. Is not this the Christ? Though she probably believed it, yet she proposed it modestly, lest she should appear to dictate in a case which was so important, and which demanded so much attention. The evidence on which she was satisfied that he was the Messiah was, that he had told her all things that she had done-perhaps much more than is here recorded. The question which she submitted to them was, whether this was not satisfactory proof that he was the Messiah? | eat. 32 But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of. 33 Therefore said the disciples one to another, Hath any man brought him aught to eat? 34 Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him tha sent me, and to finish & his work. 35 Say not ye, There are yet fou b c.17.4. This one great object absorbed all his powers, and made him forget his weariness and the wants of nature. The mind may be so absorbed in doing the will of God as to forget all other things. Intent on this, we may rise above fatigue, and hardship, and want, and bear all with pleasure in seeing the work of God advance. See Job xxiii. 12: "1 have esteemed the words of his lips more than my necessary food." We may learn, also, that the main business of life is not to avoid fatigue, or to seek the supply of our temporal wants, but to do the will of God. The mere sup ply of our temporal necessities, though most men make it an object of their chief solicitude, is a small consideration in the sight of him who has just views of the great design of human life. ¶ The will of him that sent me. The will of God in regard to the salvation of men. See John vi. 38. ¶ To finish his work. To complete or fully to do the work which he has commanded in regard to the salvation of men. It is his work to provide salvation, and his to redeem, and his to apply the salvation to the heart. Jesus came to do it by teaching, by his example, and by dying to redeem. And he shows us that we should be diligent. If he was so diligent for ou welfare; if he bore fatigue and want to benefit us, then we should be diligent 34. My meat, &c. Jesus here ex- also in regard to our own salvation, and plains what he said in ver. 32. His also in seeking the salvation of others. great object-the great design of his life 35. Say not ye. This seems to have was to do the will of God. He came been a proverb. Ye say—that is, men a tinat place weary and thirsty, and at | say. fi Four months and, &c. The be usual time of meals, probably an common time from sowing the seed to hungered. Yet an opportunity of doing the harvest, in Judea, was about four good presented itself, and he forgot his months. The meaning of this passage fatigue and hunger, and found comfort | may be thus expressed : The husband. and joy in doing the will of God-in | man, when he sows his seed, is com. ing good in seeking to save a soul.pelled to wait a considerable period be VOL. JI.-20 30. They went out of the city. The men of the city left it and went to Jesus, to hear and examine for themselves. 31. Prayed him. Asked him. 32. I have meat to eat. See ver. 34. 33. Hath any man brought him? &c. This is one of the many instances in which the disciples were slow to understand the Saviour. together. months, and then cometh harvest? | life eternal; that both he that sow behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eth and he that reapeth may rejoice eyes, and look on the fields, for they are white already to harvest. 36 And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto 37 And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth. disciples, that he was weary, that he was hungry, that it was esteemed improper to converse with a woman alone, that she was an abandoned character, and there could be little hope of doing her good! How many consciences of ministers and Christians would have been satisfied with reasoning like this! Yet Jesus, in spite of his fatigue and thirst, and all the difficulties of the case, seriously set about seeking the conver sion of this woman. And behold what a glorious result! The city was moved, and a great harvest was found ready to be gathered in! Let us not be weary in well doing, for in due season we shall reap if we faint not. fore it produces a crop. He is encouraged in sowing it; he expects fruit; his labor is lightened by that expectation. But it is not immediate. It is remote. But it is not so with my preaching. The seed has already sprung up. Scarce was it sown before it produced an abundant harvest. The gospel was just preached to a woman, and see how many of the Samaritans come to hear it also. There is, therefore, more encouragement to labor in this field than the farmer has to sow his grain.' ¶ Lift up your eyes. See the Samaritans coming to hear the gospel. They are white. Grain, when ripe, turns from a green to a yellow, or light color, indicating that it is time to reap it. So here 36. He that reapeth. He that gathers were indications that the gospel was the harvest, or he who so preaches that effectual, and that the harvest was to souls are converted to Christ. ¶ Rebe gathered in. Hence we may learn, ceiveth wages. The laborer in the har1st. That there is as much encourage- vest receives his hire. Jesus says it ment to attempt to save souls as the shall be thus with those who labor in farmer has to raise a crop. 2d. That the ministry: He will not suffer them the gospel is fitted to make an immedi- to go unrewarded. See Dan. xi. 3. ate impression on the minds of men. Matt. xix. 28. Gathereth fruit unto life We are to expect that it will. We are eternal. Converts souls, who shall innot to wait to some future period, as if herit eternal life. The harvest is not we could not expect immediate results. temporary, like gathering the grain, but This wicked and ignorant people-little shall result in eternal life. That both likely, apparently, to be affected-turn- he that soweth, &c. It is a united work. ed to God, heard the voice of the Sa- It matters little whether we sow the viour, and came in multitudes to him. seed, or whether we reap the harvest. 3d. We are to expect revivals of reli- It is part of the same work; and what. gion. Hele was one instance of it under ever part we may do, we should rethe Saviour's own preaching; multi-joice. God gives the increase, while tudes were excited, moved, and came to learn the way of life. 4th. We know not how much good may be done by conversation with even a single individual. This conversation with a woman resulted in a deep interest felt through-giving all the praise to God. out the city, and in the conversion of many of them to God. So a single individual may often be the means, in the hand of God, of leading many to the cross of Jesus. 5th. What evils may follow from neglecting to do our duty! How easily might Jesus have alleged, if he had been like many of his professed Paul may plant, and Apollos water. The teacher in the Sunday school who sows the seed in early life, shall rejoice with the minister of the gospel who may gather in the harvest, and both join in 37. That saying. That proverb. This proverb is found in some of the Greek writers.-Grotius. Similar pro.. verbs were in use among the Jews. See Isa. lxv. 21, 22; Lev. xxvi. 16; Micah vi. 15. One soweth, &c. One man may preach the gospel, and with little apparent effect another, succeed 28 I sent you tc reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other a men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours. 41 And many more be ieved be cause of his own word; 42 And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying; for e we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world. 43 Now after two days he depart 39 And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying of the woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I did. 40 So when the Samaritans were | ed thence, and went into Galilee. come unto him, they besought him that he would tarry with them: and he abode there two days. a 1 Pe.1.12. b ver.29. ing him, may be crowned with eminent success. The seed, long buried, may spring up in an abundant harvest. 44 For Jesus himself testified, that a prophet hath no honour in his own country. c c.17.8. 1 Jno.4.14. d Matt.13.57. Mar 6.4. Lu.4.24. hold our hand, for we know not whether shall prosper, this or that. And we are to go forth bearing precious seed, though weeping, knowing that we shall come again rejoicing, bearing our sheaves with us. Eccl. xi. 4. Ps. cxxvi. 6. 3d. Every part of the work of the ministry, and of teaching men, is need. ful, and we should rejoice that we are permitted to bear any part, however humble, in bringing sinners_to_the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, | Jesus Christ. 1 Cor, xii. 21-24. 38. I sent you. In the commission | given you to preach the gospel. You have not labored or toiled in preparing the way for the great harvest which is now to be gathered in. f Other men labored. (1.) The prophets, who long labored to prepare the way for the coming of the Messiah. (2.) The teachers among the Jews who have read and explained the law, and taught the people. (3.) John the Baptist, who came to prepare the way. And, (4.) The Saviour himself, who, by his personal ministry, taught the people, and prepared them for the success which was to attend the preaching of the apostles. Especially did Jesus lay the foundation for the rapid and extensive spread of the gospel. He saw comparatively little fruit of his ministry. He confined nis labors to Judea; and even there he was occupied in sowing seed which chiefly sprang up after his death. From this we may learn, 1st. That the man who is crowned with eminent success has no cause of boasting over others, any more than the man who reaps a field of grain should boast over the man who sowed it. The labor of both is equally necessary; and the labor of both would be useless if God did not give the increase. zd. We should not be discouraged if we do not meet with immediate success. The man that sows, is not disheartened because he does not see the harvest immediately spring up. We are to sow our seed in the morning, and in the evening we are not to with | 39-42. Many of the Samaritans believed. There is seldom an instance of so remarkable success as this. From a single conversion, in circumstances, in a place, and with an individual, little likely to be attended with such results, many sinners were converted; many believed on the testimony of the wo man; many more came to hear, and believed because they heard him themselves. We should never despair of doing good in the most unpromising circumstances; and we should seize upon every opportunity to converse with sinners on the great subject of their souls' salvation. 43. Into Galilee. Into some of the parts of Galilee, though evidently not into Nazareth, but probably direct to Cana. Ver. 46. | cause ne foreknew that the Galileans would many of them believe on him, he went at this time. 45. Received him. Received him kindly, or as a messenger of God. They had seen his miracles, and believed on him. 46. A certain nobleman. One who was of the royal family, connected by birth with Herod Antipas; or, one of the officers of the court, whether by birth allied to him or not. It seems that his ordinary residence was at Capernaum. Capernaum was about a day's journey from Cana, where Jesus then was. 51 And as he was now going d 1 Cor.1.22. Lu.17.14. e Matt.8.13. Mar.7.29,30. did not go down to Capernaum, b: healed him where he was. 48. Except ye see signs, &c. This was spoken not to the nobleman only, but to the Galileans generally. The Samaritans had believed without any miracle. The Galileans he said were less disposed to believe him than even they were. And though he had wrought miracles enough to convince them, yet unless they continually saw them, they would not believe. 49. Come down, &c. The earnestness of the nobleman evinces the deep and tender anxiety of a father. So anxious was he for his son that he was not willing that Jesus should delay a moment-not even to address the people. He still seems to have supposed that Jesus had no power to heal his son except he was present with him. 47. He went unto him. Though high in office, yet he did not refuse to go personally to Jesus to ask his aid. He felt as a father; and believing, after all that Jesus had done, that he could cure nis son, he travelled to meet him.-If 50. Go thy way. This was a kind men receive benefits of Christ, they and tender address. It was designed must come in the same manner. The to convince him that he could work a rich and the poor, the high and the low, miracle though not personally present must come personally as humble sup-¶ Thy son liveth. Thy son shall re pliants; and must be willing to bear all the reproach that may be cast on them for thus coming to him. This man showed strong faith in being willing thus to go to Jesus; but he erred in supposing that Jesus could heal only ny his being present with his son. ¶ Would come down. It is probable that the miracles of Jesus heretofore had Deen performed only on those who were present with him. And this nooleman seems to have thought that this was necessary. One design of Jesus in working this miracle was to show him hat this was not necessary. Hence he cover. Or he shall be restored to health according to thy request. The man believed. The manner in which Jesus spoke it, and the assurance he gave, convinced the man that he could heal him there as well as to go to Capernaum to do it. This is an instance of the power of Jesus to convince the mind; to soothe doubts; to confirm faith; and to meet our desires. He blesses not always in the manner ir which we ask, but he grants us ou main wish. The father wished his sor healed by Jesus going down to Caper naum. Jesus healed at bor y down, his servants met him, and told him, saying, Thy son liveth. 52 Then inquired he of them the hour when he began to amend. And they said unto him, Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him. 53 So the father knew that it was at the same a hour, in the which Jesus said unto him, Thy son liveth: a Ps.107.20. b Ac.16.34. 18.8. the way in which he asked it to be done. --God will hear our prayers, and grant our requests, but often not in the precise manner in which we ask it. It is his to judge of the best way of doing us good. 52. The seventh hour. About one o'clock in the afternoon. sus. and himself believed, and his whole house. 54 This is again the second mir. acle that Jesus did, when he was come out of Judea into Galilee. CHAPTER V. AFTER this there was a feast + of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 2 Now there is at Jerusalem by c Le.23.2,&c. De.16.16. c.2.13. all the family. God often takes away earthly blessings for a time that he may impart rich spiritual mercies. 2d. The father of a family may be the means of the salvation of his children. Here the effort of a parent resulted in their conversion to Christ. 3d. There is great beauty and propriety when sickness 53. The same hour. The very time thus results in piety. For that, it is sent. when Jesus spoke. The fever left God does not willingly grieve or afflict him. It seems that it left him suddenly the children of men. And when afflicand entirely; so much so, that they went tions thus terminate, it will be cause of to inform the father, and to comfort him; perfect joy and ceaseless praise. 4th. and also, doubtless to apprize him that There is a peculiar charm when piety it was not necessary to ask aid from Je- thus comes into the families of the rich, From this miracle we may learn, and the noble. It is so unusual; their 1st. That Jesus had an intimate know- example and influence go so far; it ledge of all things. He knew the case overcomes so many temptations, and of this son-the extent of his disease affords opportunities of doing so much -where he was-and thus had power good, that there is no wonder that the to heal him. 2d. That Jesus had Al- evangelist selected this instance as one mighty power. Nothing else could have of the effects of the power, and preach healed this child. Nor could it be pre-ing of the Lord Jesus Christ. tended that he did it by any natural means. He was far away from him; and the child knew not the source of the power that healed him. It could not be pretended that there was any collusion or jugglery. The father came in deep anxiety. The servants saw the cure, Jesus was at a distance. And all bears the marks of being the simple energy of God-put forth with equal ease to heal whether far or near. Thus he can save the sinner. 3d. We see the benevolence of Jesus. Ever ready to aid, to heal, or to save, he may be called on at all times, and will not be called on in vain. ¶ Himself believed. This miracle removed all his doubts, and he became a real disciple and friend of Jesus. His whole house. His whole family. We may learn from this, 1st. That eickness, or deep affliction, is often the means of great good. Here the sickness of the son resulted in the faith of CHAPTER V. 1. A feast. Probably the passover, though it is not certain. There were two other feasts-the Pentecost, and the feast of tabernacles, at which all the males were required to be present; and it might have been one of them. It is of no consequence, however, which of them is intended. 2. The sheep market. This might have been rendered the sheep-gate, or the gate through which the sheep were ta ken into the city for sacrifice. Tho marginal rendering is, gate; and the word market' is not in the original; nor is a sheep-market' mentioned in the scriptures, or in any of the Jewish writ ings. A sheep-gate is repeatedly mentioned by Nehemiah (chi. iii. 1. 32. xii. 39.), being that by which sheep and ox en were brought into the city. As these were brought mainly for sacrifice, the |