Christ continued His talk. He is now with them as Teacher and Saviour, but will soon go where they cannot follow, i.e. back to God. They who reject Him will then seek Him too late, and not find Him (Prov. i. 26). Christ is believed, accepted, loved by some. Rejected, hated, despised by others. How is it with us?
III. An Offer (37). Last day of feast. Great procession to Temple. Water brought from Pool of Siloam and poured out. Isaiah xi. sung by priests and Levites. Christ applies it to Himself. Notice the steps—
Thirst, or desire for satisfaction, common to all.
Coming to Christ for free gifts of salvation (Is. lv. 1) follows. This is succeeded by—
Believing or throwing ourselves entirely on Him.
Lesson. Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever.
A Dry Well.
I once saw a picture in which the artist had represented a party of travellers in the desert. They had travelled far and long. The water was spent in their bottles, and their thirst was maddening. They were tired and footsore, and could scarce drag themselves along, when lo! joy of joys they descried a well in the distance. Gathering up their little remaining strength, they joyfully hastened to it. But, alas! for their bitter disappointment, when they reached it, there was no water there! The well was dry! In attitudes of utter despair the unhappy party laid themselves down beside the deceitful well to die. Never, oh never, can it be so with Christ. His water will never fail. He is the well of life. That living stream is from the throne of God, always full of life and grace for thirsting souls.—Rev. Gordon Calthrop.
March 5th.—Christ Freeing from Sin.
To read—St. John viii. 12, 31-36. Golden Text—Ver. 36.
Christ still at Jerusalem. Feast over. Country people gone home. He teaches daily in Temple courts. Tells of the union between His Father and Himself, and of His being lifted up on the cross (ver. 28). Result, that many professed to believe in Him. He tells them first of Himself as the Light of the World and then of their position as God's free children.