The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1886-05-01
INTERNATIONAL SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSONS
EY REV, F. b. HARGREAvEs.
LhN>oN MAY
JESUS AT THE WELL.

John iy, 5-26. Golden Text, John
", "A. Time, December, A. D.. d.
Place, Samaria, Jacobs well, near
Sychar, at the foot of Mt. Gerizim.
Rulers, 1iberius Cesar, Emperor of
Rome; Pontius Plate, Governor of
Judea; Herod Antipas, Tetrarch of
Galilee.
Tired with His journey the Master
stops to rest. His disciples push for
ward a mile and a half to the bust
ling town of Sychar to buy food but
the SAVIOR rests in the cool shade by
the side Of Jacobs well. 1t was a his
torlc place. On the left, Mt. Gerizim
on the right Mt, Ebal, rich in their
terraced glory of verdure, fruit and
grain, in their seasons. Stretching
out before Him, the fertile plain: !,
mile and half away, the busy town.
This was Jacobs well, aud the place
and neighhorhood we're full of memoir
les. Abraham and Jacob and joseph:
Abimelech and Joshua and Rehobuam
Jeroboam had all trodden that ground
and this was familiar place to them.
The Master rested at or near The
place where these men had lived ia
the past. The rich beauty Of the
landscape Is singuIarly attractive, and
must have been peculiarly SO to one
who had a divine appreciation OF the
beautiful. We can well imagine that
the memories Of the past events and
the glory Of the natural surroundings
were not without effect upon the mind
OF the weary traveller.
A woman approaches. She carries
the usual waterpet and cord to draw
water with. Jesus asks a drink. This
quest is a surprise 70 her, for the
jews had no dealings aith the Samar-
ltans, and Jesus was a Jew. She SC
expresses herself, when our Lord b,
an easy transaction, tells her Of that
living water, drinking which, we "shaI
never thirst" The perplexity Of the
woman and her evident desire to Learn
withal, and the tender teaching Of the
Master, here form a picture Of unrival
ed excellence. lie was far above thl
petty stri;cs and prejulices which EN-.
Filtered the Jews and SamaTitans
Indeed, lie always showed sympathy
and love for this people 1t WAS ;
! Samaritan, being one Of ten leper
which he healed, who returned to Civ,
glory to God. And il was Samar
itan whom He selected as the exampl,
Of hrothorly love in that wonderful
parable which is familiar to Us all
And here we fad Hin preaching til,
sublime truths Of His kingdom to
poor Samaritan woman. la the las
verse Of the lesson lie makes his frs
direct declaration that he IS the Mess
iuh: Jesus saith unto her, ! tha
speak u1to thee am He" The frs
news Of his advent 10 Til world We
toll the humble shepherds OF tn
plain, and now the first direct state
Dcnt Of His divine character IS told Il
this poor Samaritan woman He wa
far above caste and prejulices ans
local stiites. lie came to all til
world, poor as we'll as rich, small a
we'll as great. But more: lie chos
a woman to whom he revealed hi
true character. Why not a Rabbi
Women was not held in high esteem
in tho days She was inferior il
the social scale. Let the words o
the Law be burned" says Rabbi Flea
ger, rather than committed to We
men." This was the spirit of the age
1t was the lamentable condition Of We
men. Jesus rises high above sue
terrible injustice, such hagrant wrong
and admits a woman, an humble We
man to HIS teachings. He gives he
the place in society to which she ha
a right, and it is only in the gospel G
Christ that she obtains the recoenitio
of her just and equal claims with mar
Look at the picture. The Savior {
the world sitting on the edge ofJacob
well. Standing near, a Samarita
woman. Note the eager questionin
Of her face, fair index Of the pulsatin
queries Of her heart Watch the glow
ing animation of the Master as II
tells her those priceless truths whicl
have been the JOY of humanity eve
since that day. The memories of tn
past encircle that spot with histori
interest and lend to it a potent charm
but I'll these pale into inslgniicanc
before this wouderons story Of Jesu
at Jacobs we'll Those may be for
gotten, bat these will live forever.
LESSON THOUGHTS.
1. DO yen miss an opportunity d
good. Jesus never did.
2. Give up your prciudiccs, DO goo'
to all; initiate Christ in this.
8. Drink deep Of the living water.
1. Be willing to learn of Christ an,