The fountain of living waters is God Himself. It is not a mere cistern to hold a little water; it is a running, living stream, and a fountain that springs up perpetually. Now a fountain is produced by the pressure of water coming down from a height, and never rises higher than its source. Our spiritual life has its source in heaven. It came from God, and to God it will return.
February 5th.—The Nobleman's Son Healed.
To read—St. John iv. 43-54. Golden Text—Ver. 53.
Christ has passed through Samaria, returned to Cana. Now works first miracle of healing.
I. Faith Beginning (43-47). The father. A courtier of Herod Antipas, King of Galilee. In trouble because of son's sickness. Hears of Jesus and His wonderful doings—will see if He can help him. Leaves his home to go and meet Jesus. Urgently entreats Him to come from Cana down to Capernaum on the Lake of Galilee to visit and relieve his dying son.
II. Faith Increasing (48-50). Christ seems to hesitate—makes a difficulty. He wants strong faith. He sees father desires external signs, personal visit. Christ must have implicit faith. What does Christ do? Does not comply with the request nor refuse, but calmly tells him his son lives. The man believes, and returns home.
III. Faith Perfected (51-54). Met by his servants on way back. They had noted the change for the better in the boy, hastened to meet the father and tell the good news. What does he ask? The time exactly agreed. So the father knew that Christ was more than man—that He was Lord of life and death—the true Son of God. No more doubts.
Lessons. 1. Trouble leads to prayer and prayer to blessings.
2. Belief in Christ brings peace and happiness.
3. He is the same Lord to all them that believe.