Evening star., 1926-01-23
BY REV. HUGH T. STEVENSON.


rare privilege of lingering ut Jacobs
Well, where Jesus spoke to the Samari-
tan woman, has had his faith quick
ened. Ren&n recognized that most
| OF the circumstances of the narrative
bear a striking stamp of truth"
! There is no fairer spot in Palestine
Tor an estate than the place that the
enduring tradition and common belief
OF Jews, Samaritans, Mohammedans
and Christians agree was the site that
Jacob secured from the sons Of Hamor.
The well. which is one of few au-
thentlC places connected with the life
of our Lord, is at the eastern entrance
to the valley between the mountains
Ebal and Gerizim. A few hundred
yards northward from the well is the
tomb of Joseph. Directly across the
valley. half mile northeast. IS the vii
lage of "Aschar," which Is. the modern
name of Sychar. a mile and a half
northwest is Nabulus. the ancient
Shechem, where the few remaining
SamaritanS dwell and maintain their
faith.
Commercial people have studied this
lesson to learn the correct methods of
salesmanship. Teachers have found
in the narrative the principles of peda-
goEy. EyungelSts have discovered
that Jesus used the three great mo
tiyeS which lead sinners to decide to
experience in the ministry of the
Christ We see Him seeking To save
the lost. He never missed an oppor-
tunity to win a disciple lie came into
the world To save souls. lie placed
Ills stamp Of approval upon personal
work 10y tactfuliy presenting to each
individual that He met the vital truth
that was needed to open their minds
to their personal needs Of salvation.
John shows us something Of the
humanity uf. Jesus when he pictures
Him ;Ls weary, resting upon Jacob :
well, waiting at noon for his disciples
to return from the nearby village with
food Although lie was wearicd,
hunsered, thirsted at the moment the
Samaritan woman approached, lie Tor
got His physical condition IN lis ell
fort to make the poor sinful woman
understand that God had need of her.
The Samaritan Woman.
She was the most intellectually bril-
liant woman. certainly rs a Contro-
vrrSialist mentioned In the New
Testlueut. She came OF u mixed
people, who claimed, at times 20 b"
true IsracliteS and lroteSSed 70 keep
tho law Of Moses. While visiting their
high priest ne showed Our parry IN"
ancient Samaritan copy ui the P"Nt.t-
teuCh. which iS said Ia h" the oldest
ttbN III fNlSff'.'t tl tltF -HitStt4' tstN-
Their religion - e.. mixed one. THeE-
still observe annually upon Mount
GeriZm the passover. Although their
faith was based upon II" first fly"
books ot the Old Testament, they had
an expectancy ~ I'll" coming uf 81
Messiah. According To a fourteenth
century hymn. their hopes Tor q,
Messiah were not tn" SINE aS the
Jewish peoples. The Samaritans rN-.
pected II prophet-'thc Converter ,
The relationship existing between the
two peoples was one Of arimosity ANA
a desire upon part OF both TO avoid
any dealings with members OF the
other race and faith.
1t was not considered good form
for q rabbi TO carry on q conversation
with a woman. yet Jesus opened up an
interview with the woman. who had
failed, by requesting that she give
Him a drink OF water. She could
easily tell by the white tallith upon
the fringe Of Cnrist's garment that I
He WAS Il Hebrew. The Samar!tanS [
wore blue The Masters request was !
an epoch making one. Ii removed ,
the barriers OF race and religion. lie /
came 10 establish Il spiritual kingdom
that would unite all men into a great
brotherhood. The first step that He
took filled the Samaritan woman with
amazement. She had influenced many
by hel' fascinating manners, but The
attitude Of Jesus aroused her moral
nature. He implied hy His gracious
conduct that she could be of service.
Although she had failed. deep down in
her soul there was Il longing for q
better life. The Master had touched
her better nature.
Christ took advantage of her amaze
ment at His request. He tried to
make her realize her deepest need by
offering her living water. She thought
in terms of her physical needs. she
realized that 1t would be blessing for
her % possess this running water.
She could not understand how Fe
could give her the promised supply,
unless He were greater than Jacob.
who gave them the well. The mind
that questions has commenced to re
ceive truth. She had neglected TO
comply with His request for q drink. /
but she did not hesitate to ask Christ
70 ,r'x Ia~ ,,fTn