EGW WritingsJohn 4

Spalding and Magan Collection

Lines Regular and Irregular

SpM 192.4

Study the action of Christ, as recorded in John 4:1-3. In regard to the property which Brother Shireman has built up, let no selfish greed force him to make it over to the Conference. There may be other places where he should work, and he should have something with which to operate. If he were called away suddenly, he could make this property over to some one he could trust. He should be allowed to control his own property, the results of his hard labor, and never feel himself destitute.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 16 (1901)

Lt 108, 1901

16LtMs, Lt 108, 1901, par. 6

Study the action of Christ, as recorded in John 4:1-3.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 10 (1895)

Ms 18, 1895

10LtMs, Ms 18, 1895, par. 1

“When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John, (Though Jesus himself baptized not but his disciples,) he left Judea, and departed again into Galilee. And he must needs go through Samaria. Then cometh he to a city of Samaria, which is called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. Now Jacob’s well was there Jesus therefore being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour.” [John 4:1-6.]

10LtMs, Ms 18, 1895, par. 4

“Jesus therefore being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well, and it was about the sixth hour. There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus said unto her, Give me to drink. (For his disciples were gone into the city to buy meat.) Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, asketh drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans. Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldst have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.” [Verses 6-10.]

10LtMs, Ms 18, 1895, par. 5

And this message is meant for us just as surely as for the woman of Samaria. It comes sounding down along the line from age to age, “If thou knewest the gift of God and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldst have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.” [Verse 10.] Rivet this in your minds. Every soul should awaken to an understanding of his spiritual need. Matthew 5:6. Come to Christ in your soul hunger and thirst, and He will supply every want, whether temporal or spiritual. “If thou knewest the gift of God.” How very many there are that know not the gift of God. They talk of the truth, they talk of heaven and of religion, they talk of faith, but they know it not. They have not an experimental knowledge [of] what faith means, or what it is to trust God, of what it is to drink of the living water of life day by day.

10LtMs, Ms 18, 1895, par. 11

“If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink, thou wouldst have asked of him and he would have given thee living water.” [John 4:10.] Today each one of us needs that living water. We should not let the sun set in the heavens tonight, or let the holy influence God has placed over the Sabbath pass away, till we understand that we can drink of the water of life. Pray for it with all your heart, your intelligence, and your strength. Christ has opened a fountain in which we can be washed free from every stain. His blood, shed upon Calvary’s cross gives virtue to the fountain. Have we not something to pray for? If you are hungry or thirsty <for the water of life> do not hang your souls upon humanity. We must be supported by Christ. <We must drink of the living water.>

10LtMs, Ms 18, 1895, par. 15

“But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst, but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water, springing up into everlasting life.” [John 4:14.] The water that Christ gives us is a living well-spring that never fails. “The woman said unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw.” [Verse 15.] She had no understanding that the water to which Jesus referred was <spiritual.> Christ can supply the temporal necessities, but then He was speaking of the spiritual necessities. “Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him, shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water, springing up into everlasting life.” This is the same as the sacred fire that God <kindled for> His people anciently. They were to put this sacred fire on the censors to be offered when the prayers of the people ascended to God, that its fragrance might go up before God with the prayers <of His waiting, praying people.>

10LtMs, Ms 18, 1895, par. 16

We must have an insight into what Christ is to us and we are to Him. Every day we need the water of life which Christ has to give. He does not give it one day, and then wait till there is a drouth; the water which He gives is a living well-spring. “Whosoever drinketh of this water that I shall give him shall never thirst, but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water, springing up into everlasting life.” [Verse 14.] How precious it is to know that every one of us may be partakers of the divine nature.

The Desire of Ages

Chapter 19—At Jacob’s Well

DA 183.1

On the way to Galilee Jesus passed through Samaria. It was noon when He reached the beautiful Vale of Shechem. At the opening of this valley was Jacob’s well. Wearied with His journey, He sat down here to rest while His disciples went to buy food.

DA 183.2

The Jews and the Samaritans were bitter enemies, and as far as possible avoided all dealing with each other. To trade with the Samaritans in case of necessity was indeed counted lawful by the rabbis; but all social intercourse with them was condemned. A Jew would not borrow from a Samaritan, nor receive a kindness, not even a morsel of bread or a cup of water. The disciples, in buying food, were acting in harmony with the custom of their nation. But beyond this they did not go. To ask a favor of the Samaritans, or in any way seek to benefit them, did not enter into the thought of even Christ’s disciples.

DA 183.3

As Jesus sat by the well side, He was faint from hunger and thirst. The journey since morning had been long, and now the sun of noontide beat upon Him. His thirst was increased by the thought of the cool, refreshing water so near, yet inaccessible to Him; for He had no rope nor water jar, and the well was deep. The lot of humanity was His, and He waited for someone to come to draw.

DA 183.4

A woman of Samaria approached, and seeming unconscious of His presence, filled her pitcher with water. As she turned to go away, Jesus asked her for a drink. Such a favor no Oriental would withhold. In the East, water was called “the gift of God.” To offer a drink to the thirsty traveler was held to be a duty so sacred that the Arabs of the desert would go out of their way in order to perform it. The hatred between Jews and Samaritans prevented the woman from offering a kindness to Jesus; but the Saviour was seeking to find the key to this heart, and with the tact born of divine love, He asked, not offered, a favor. The offer of a kindness might have been rejected; but trust awakens trust. The King of heaven came to this outcast soul, asking a service at her hands. He who made the ocean, who controls the waters of the great deep, who opened the springs and channels of the earth, rested from His weariness at Jacob’s well, and was dependent upon a stranger’s kindness for even the gift of a drink of water.

DA 184.1

The woman saw that Jesus was a Jew. In her surprise she forgot to grant His request, but tried to learn the reason for it. “How is it,” she said, “that Thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria?”

DA 184.2

Jesus answered, “If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give Me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of Him, and He would have given thee living water.” You wonder that I should ask of you even so small a favor as a draught of water from the well at our feet. Had you asked of Me, I would have given you to drink of the water of everlasting life.

DA 184.3

The woman had not comprehended the words of Christ, but she felt their solemn import. Her light, bantering manner began to change. Supposing that Jesus spoke of the well before them, she said, “Sir, Thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast Thou that living water? Art Thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself?” She saw before her only a thirsty traveler, wayworn and dusty. In her mind she compared Him with the honored patriarch Jacob. She cherished the feeling, which is so natural, that no other well could be equal to that provided by the fathers. She was looking backward to the fathers, forward to the Messiah’s coming, while the Hope of the fathers, the Messiah Himself, was beside her, and she knew Him not. How many thirsting souls are today close by the living fountain, yet looking far away for the wellsprings of life! “Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:) or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead).... The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: ... if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” Romans 10:6-9.

DA 187.1

Jesus did not immediately answer the question in regard to Himself, but with solemn earnestness He said, “Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: but whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.”

DA 187.2

He who seeks to quench his thirst at the fountains of this world will drink only to thirst again. Everywhere men are unsatisfied. They long for something to supply the need of the soul. Only One can meet that want. The need of the world, “The Desire of all nations,” is Christ. The divine grace which He alone can impart, is as living water, purifying, refreshing, and invigorating the soul.

DA 187.3

Jesus did not convey the idea that merely one draft of the water of life would suffice the receiver. He who tastes of the love of Christ will continually long for more; but he seeks for nothing else. The riches, honors, and pleasures of the world do not attract him. The constant cry of his heart is, More of Thee. And He who reveals to the soul its necessity is waiting to satisfy its hunger and thirst. Every human resource and dependence will fail. The cisterns will be emptied, the pools become dry; but our Redeemer is an inexhaustible fountain. We may drink, and drink again, and ever find a fresh supply. He in whom Christ dwells has within himself the fountain of blessing,—“a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” From this source he may draw strength and grace sufficient for all his needs.

DA 187.4

As Jesus spoke of the living water, the woman looked upon Him with wondering attention. He had aroused her interest, and awakened a desire for the gift of which He spoke. She perceived that it was not the water of Jacob’s well to which He referred; for of this she used continually, drinking, and thirsting again. “Sir,” she said, “give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw.”

DA 187.5

Jesus now abruptly turned the conversation. Before this soul could receive the gift He longed to bestow, she must be brought to recognize her sin and her Saviour. He “saith unto her, Go, call thy husband, and come hither.” She answered, “I have no husband.” Thus she hoped to prevent all questioning in that direction. But the Saviour continued, “Thou hast well said, I have no husband: for thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: in that saidst thou truly.”

DA 187.6

The listener trembled. A mysterious hand was turning the pages of her life history, bringing to view that which she had hoped to keep forever hidden. Who was He that could read the secrets of her life? There came to her thoughts of eternity, of the future Judgment, when all that is now hidden shall be revealed. In its light, conscience was awakened.

DA 188.1

She could deny nothing; but she tried to evade all mention of a subject so unwelcome. With deep reverence, she said, “Sir, I perceive that Thou art a prophet.” Then, hoping to silence conviction, she turned to points of religious controversy. If this was a prophet, surely He could give her instruction concerning these matters that had been so long disputed.

DA 188.2

Patiently Jesus permitted her to lead the conversation whither she would. Meanwhile He watched for the opportunity of again bringing the truth home to her heart. “Our fathers worshiped in this mountain,” she said, “and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.” Just in sight was Mount Gerizim. Its temple was demolished, and only the altar remained. The place of worship had been a subject of contention between the Jews and the Samaritans. Some of the ancestors of the latter people had once belonged to Israel; but because of their sins, the Lord suffered them to be overcome by an idolatrous nation. For many generations they were intermingled with idolaters, whose religion gradually contaminated their own. It is true they held that their idols were only to remind them of the living God, the Ruler of the universe; nevertheless the people were led to reverence their graven images.

DA 188.3

When the temple at Jerusalem was rebuilt in the days of Ezra, the Samaritans wished to join the Jews in its erection. This privilege was refused them, and a bitter animosity sprang up between the two peoples. The Samaritans built a rival temple on Mount Gerizim. Here they worshiped in accordance with the Mosaic ritual, though they did not wholly renounce idolatry. But disasters attended them, their temple was destroyed by their enemies, and they seemed to be under a curse; yet they still clung to their traditions and their forms of worship. They would not acknowledge the temple at Jerusalem as the house of God, nor admit that the religion of the Jews was superior to their own.

DA 188.4

In answer to the woman, Jesus said, “Believe Me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.” Jesus had shown that He was free from Jewish prejudice against the Samaritans. Now He sought to break down the prejudice of this Samaritan against the Jews. While referring to the fact that the faith of the Samaritans was corrupted with idolatry, He declared that the great truths of redemption had been committed to the Jews, and that from among them the Messiah was to appear. In the Sacred Writings they had a clear presentation of the character of God and the principles of His government. Jesus classed Himself with the Jews as those to whom God had given a knowledge of Himself.

DA 189.1

He desired to lift the thoughts of His hearer above matters of form and ceremony, and questions of controversy. “The hour cometh,” He said, “and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship Him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth.”

DA 189.2

Here is declared the same truth that Jesus had revealed to Nicodemus when He said, “Except a man be born from above, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:3, margin. Not by seeking a holy mountain or a sacred temple are men brought into communion with heaven. Religion is not to be confined to external forms and ceremonies. The religion that comes from God is the only religion that will lead to God. In order to serve Him aright, we must be born of the divine Spirit. This will purify the heart and renew the mind, giving us a new capacity for knowing and loving God. It will give us a willing obedience to all His requirements. This is true worship. It is the fruit of the working of the Holy Spirit. By the Spirit every sincere prayer is indited, and such prayer is acceptable to God. Wherever a soul reaches out after God, there the Spirit’s working is manifest, and God will reveal Himself to that soul. For such worshipers He is seeking. He waits to receive them, and to make them His sons and daughters.

DA 189.3

As the woman talked with Jesus, she was impressed with His words. Never had she heard such sentiments from the priests of her own people or from the Jews. As the past of her life had been spread out before her, she had been made sensible of her great want. She realized her soul thirst, which the waters of the well of Sychar could never satisfy. Nothing that had hitherto come in contact with her had so awakened her to a higher need. Jesus had convinced her that He read the secrets of her life; yet she felt that He was her friend, pitying and loving her. While the very purity of His presence condemned her sin, He had spoken no word of denunciation, but had told her of His grace, that could renew the soul. She began to have some conviction of His character. The question arose in her mind, Might not this be the long-looked-for Messiah? She said to Him, “I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when He is come, He will tell us all things.” Jesus answered, “I that speak unto thee am He.”

DA 190.1

As the woman heard these words, faith sprang up in her heart. She accepted the wonderful announcement from the lips of the divine Teacher.

DA 190.2

This woman was in an appreciative state of mind. She was ready to receive the noblest revelation; for she was interested in the Scriptures, and the Holy Spirit had been preparing her mind to receive more light. She had studied the Old Testament promise, “The Lord thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto Him ye shall hearken.” Deuteronomy 18:15. She longed to understand this prophecy. Light was already flashing into her mind. The water of life, the spiritual life which Christ gives to every thirsty soul, had begun to spring up in her heart. The Spirit of the Lord was working with her.

DA 190.3

The plain statement made by Christ to this woman could not have been made to the self-righteous Jews. Christ was far more reserved when He spoke to them. That which had been withheld from the Jews, and which the disciples were afterward enjoined to keep secret, was revealed to her. Jesus saw that she would make use of her knowledge in bringing others to share His grace.

DA 190.4

When the disciples returned from their errand, they were surprised to find their Master speaking with the woman. He had not taken the refreshing draught that He desired, and He did not stop to eat the food His disciples had brought. When the woman had gone, the disciples entreated Him to eat. They saw Him silent, absorbed, as in rapt meditation. His face was beaming with light, and they feared to interrupt His communion with heaven. But they knew that He was faint and weary, and thought it their duty to remind Him of His physical necessities. Jesus recognized their loving interest, and He said, “I have meat to eat that ye know not of.”

DA 190.5

The disciples wondered who could have brought Him food; but He explained, “My meat is to do the will of Him that sent Me, and to accomplish His work.” John 4:34, R. V. As His words to the woman had aroused her conscience, Jesus rejoiced. He saw her drinking of the water of life, and His own hunger and thirst were satisfied. The accomplishment of the mission which He had left heaven to perform strengthened the Saviour for His labor, and lifted Him above the necessities of humanity. To minister to a soul hungering and thirsting for the truth was more grateful to Him than eating or drinking. It was a comfort, a refreshment, to Him. Benevolence was the life of His soul.

DA 191.1

Our Redeemer thirsts for recognition. He hungers for the sympathy and love of those whom He has purchased with His own blood. He longs with inexpressible desire that they should come to Him and have life. As the mother watches for the smile of recognition from her little child, which tells of the dawning of intelligence, so does Christ watch for the expression of grateful love, which shows that spiritual life is begun in the soul.

DA 191.2

The woman had been filled with joy as she listened to Christ’s words. The wonderful revelation was almost overpowering. Leaving her waterpot, she returned to the city, to carry the message to others. Jesus knew why she had gone. Leaving her waterpot spoke unmistakably as to the effect of His words. It was the earnest desire of her soul to obtain the living water; and she forgot her errand to the well, she forgot the Saviour’s thirst, which she had purposed to supply. With heart overflowing with gladness, she hastened on her way, to impart to others the precious light she had received.

DA 191.3

“Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did,” she said to the men of the city. “Is not this the Christ?” Her words touched their hearts. There was a new expression on her face, a change in her whole appearance. They were interested to see Jesus. “Then they went out of the city, and came unto Him.”

DA 191.4

As Jesus still sat at the well side, He looked over the fields of grain that were spread out before Him, their tender green touched by the golden sunlight. Pointing His disciples to the scene, He employed it as a symbol: “Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.” And as He spoke, He looked on the groups that were coming to the well. It was four months to the time for harvesting the grain, but here was a harvest ready for the reaper.

DA 191.5

“He that reapeth,” He said, “receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together. And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth.” Here Christ points out the sacred service owed to God by those who receive the gospel. They are to be His living agencies. He requires their individual service. And whether we sow or reap, we are working for God. One scatters the seed; another gathers in the harvest; and both the sower and the reaper receive wages. They rejoice together in the reward of their labor.

DA 192.1

Jesus said to the disciples, “I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labor: other men labored, and ye are entered into their labors.” The Saviour was here looking forward to the great ingathering on the day of Pentecost. The disciples were not to regard this as the result of their own efforts. They were entering into other men’s labors. Ever since the fall of Adam Christ had been committing the seed of the word to His chosen servants, to be sown in human hearts. And an unseen agency, even an omnipotent power, had worked silently but effectually to produce the harvest. The dew and rain and sunshine of God’s grace had been given, to refresh and nourish the seed of truth. Christ was about to water the seed with His own blood. His disciples were privileged to be laborers together with God. They were coworkers with Christ and with the holy men of old. By the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, thousands were to be converted in a day. This was the result of Christ’s sowing, the harvest of His work.

DA 192.2

In the words spoken to the woman at the well, good seed had been sown, and how quickly the harvest was received. The Samaritans came and heard Jesus, and believed on Him. Crowding about Him at the well, they plied Him with questions, and eagerly received His explanations of many things that had been obscure to them. As they listened, their perplexity began to clear away. They were like a people in great darkness tracing up a sudden ray of light till they had found the day. But they were not satisfied with this short conference. They were anxious to hear more, and to have their friends also listen to this wonderful teacher. They invited Him to their city, and begged Him to remain with them. For two days He tarried in Samaria, and many more believed on Him.

DA 192.3

The Pharisees despised the simplicity of Jesus. They ignored His miracles, and demanded a sign that He was the Son of God. But the Samaritans asked no sign, and Jesus performed no miracles among them, save in revealing the secrets of her life to the woman at the well. Yet many received Him. In their new joy they said to the woman, “Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard Him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world.”

DA 193.1

The Samaritans believed that the Messiah was to come as the Redeemer, not only of the Jews, but of the world. The Holy Spirit through Moses had foretold Him as a prophet sent from God. Through Jacob it had been declared that unto Him should the gathering of the people be; and through Abraham, that in Him all the nations of the earth should be blessed. On these scriptures the people of Samaria based their faith in the Messiah. The fact that the Jews had misinterpreted the later prophets, attributing to the first advent the glory of Christ’s second coming, had led the Samaritans to discard all the sacred writings except those given through Moses. But as the Saviour swept away these false interpretations, many accepted the later prophecies and the words of Christ Himself in regard to the kingdom of God.

DA 193.2

Jesus had begun to break down the partition wall between Jew and Gentile, and to preach salvation to the world. Though He was a Jew, He mingled freely with the Samaritans, setting at nought the Pharisaic customs of His nation. In face of their prejudices He accepted the hospitality of this despised people. He slept under their roofs, ate with them at their tables,—partaking of the food prepared and served by their hands,—taught in their streets, and treated them with the utmost kindness and courtesy.

DA 193.3

In the temple at Jerusalem a low wall separated the outer court from all other portions of the sacred building. Upon this wall were inscriptions in different languages, stating that none but Jews were allowed to pass this boundary. Had a Gentile presumed to enter the inner enclosure, he would have desecrated the temple, and would have paid the penalty with his life. But Jesus, the originator of the temple and its service, drew the Gentiles to Him by the tie of human sympathy, while His divine grace brought to them the salvation which the Jews rejected.

DA 193.4

The stay of Jesus in Samaria was designed to be a blessing to His disciples, who were still under the influence of Jewish bigotry. They felt that loyalty to their own nation required them to cherish enmity toward the Samaritans. They wondered at the conduct of Jesus. They could not refuse to follow His example, and during the two days in Samaria, fidelity to Him kept their prejudices under control; yet in heart they were unreconciled. They were slow to learn that their contempt and hatred must give place to pity and sympathy. But after the Lord’s ascension, His lessons came back to them with a new meaning. After the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, they recalled the Saviour’s look, His words, the respect and tenderness of His bearing toward these despised strangers. When Peter went to preach in Samaria, he brought the same spirit into his own work. When John was called to Ephesus and Smyrna, he remembered the experience at Shechem, and was filled with gratitude to the divine Teacher, who, foreseeing the difficulties they must meet, had given them help in His own example.

DA 194.1

The Saviour is still carrying forward the same work as when He proffered the water of life to the woman of Samaria. Those who call themselves His followers may despise and shun the outcast ones; but no circumstance of birth or nationality, no condition of life, can turn away His love from the children of men. To every soul, however sinful, Jesus says, If thou hadst asked of Me, I would have given thee living water.

DA 194.2

The gospel invitation is not to be narrowed down, and presented only to a select few, who, we suppose, will do us honor if they accept it. The message is to be given to all. Wherever hearts are open to receive the truth, Christ is ready to instruct them. He reveals to them the Father, and the worship acceptable to Him who reads the heart. For such He uses no parables. To them, as to the woman at the well, He says, “I that speak unto thee am He.”

DA 194.3

When Jesus sat down to rest at Jacob’s well, He had come from Judea, where His ministry had produced little fruit. He had been rejected by the priests and rabbis, and even the people who professed to be His disciples had failed of perceiving His divine character. He was faint and weary; yet He did not neglect the opportunity of speaking to one woman, though she was a stranger, an alien from Israel, and living in open sin.

DA 194.4

The Saviour did not wait for congregations to assemble. Often He began His lessons with only a few gathered about Him, but one by one the passers-by paused to listen, until a multitude heard with wonder and awe the words of God through the heaven-sent Teacher. The worker for Christ should not feel that he cannot speak with the same earnestness to a few hearers as to a larger company. There may be only one to hear the message; but who can tell how far-reaching will be its influence? It seemed a small matter, even to His disciples, for the Saviour to spend His time upon a woman of Samaria. But He reasoned more earnestly and eloquently with her than with kings, councilors, or high priests. The lessons He gave to that woman have been repeated to the earth’s remotest bounds.

DA 195.1

As soon as she had found the Saviour the Samaritan woman brought others to Him. She proved herself a more effective missionary than His own disciples. The disciples saw nothing in Samaria to indicate that it was an encouraging field. Their thoughts were fixed upon a great work to be done in the future. They did not see that right around them was a harvest to be gathered. But through the woman whom they despised, a whole cityful were brought to hear the Saviour. She carried the light at once to her countrymen.

DA 195.2

This woman represents the working of a practical faith in Christ. Every true disciple is born into the kingdom of God as a missionary. He who drinks of the living water becomes a fountain of life. The receiver becomes a giver. The grace of Christ in the soul is like a spring in the desert, welling up to refresh all, and making those who are ready to perish eager to drink of the water of life.

From Heaven With Love

Chapter 19—Jesus and the Woman With Five Husbands

HLv 116.1

On the way to Galilee Jesus passed through Samaria. It was noon when He reached Jacob’s well. Wearied with His journey, He sat down to rest while His disciples went to buy food.

HLv 116.2

Jews and Samaritans were bitter enemies. To trade with Samaritans in case of necessity was counted lawful by the rabbis; but a Jew would not borrow from a Samaritan, nor receive a kindness, not even a morsel of bread or a cup of water. The disciples, in buying food, were acting in harmony with the custom of their nation. But to ask a favor of the Samaritans did not enter the thought even of Christ’s disciples.

HLv 116.3

As Jesus sat by the well, He was faint from hunger and thirst. The journey had been long, and the sun of noontide beat upon Him. His thirst was increased by the thought of the cool, refreshing water so near; yet He had no rope nor water jar, and the well was deep.

HLv 116.4

A woman of Samaria approached, and seeming unconscious of His presence, filled her pitcher with water. As she turned to go, Jesus asked for a drink. Such a favor no Oriental would withhold. To offer a drink to the thirsty traveler was a duty so sacred that Arabs would go out of their way to perform it.

HLv 116.5

The Saviour was seeking to find the key to the woman’s heart, and with the tact born of divine love, He asked a favor. Trust awakens trust. The King of heaven came to this outcast soul, asking a service at her hands. He who made the ocean, who controls the waters of the deep, who opened the springs and channels of the earth, was dependent on a stranger’s kindness for even a drink of water.

HLv 117.1

The woman saw that Jesus was a Jew. In her surprise she forgot to grant His request, but tried to learn the reason for it. “How is it,” she asked, “that Thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria?”

HLv 117.2

Jesus answered, “If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give Me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of Him and He would have given thee living water.” Had you asked of Me, I would have given you to drink of the water of everlasting life.

HLv 117.3

The woman’s light, bantering manner began to change. “Sir, Thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast Thou that living water? Art Thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself?” She saw before her only a thirsty traveler. In her mind she compared Him with Jacob. She was looking backward to the fathers, and forward to the Messiah’s coming, while the Messiah Himself was beside her, and she knew Him not. How many thirsty souls are today close by the living fountain, yet looking far away for the wellsprings of life!

HLv 117.4

With solemn earnestness Jesus said, “Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: but whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.”

HLv 117.5

Everywhere men long for something to supply the unsatisfied need of the soul. Only One can meet that want—Christ, “the Desire of all nations.” The divine grace which He imparts is as living water, purifying and invigorating the soul.

HLv 117.6

Jesus did not convey the idea that merely one draft of the water of life would suffice. He who tastes of the love of Christ will continually long for more; but he seeks for nothing else. The riches, honors, and pleasures of the world do not attract him. The constant cry of his heart is, More of Thee. Our Redeemer is an inexhaustible fountain. We may drink, and drink again; and ever find a fresh supply.

HLv 118.1

Jesus had aroused the woman’s interest and awakened a desire for the gift of which He spoke. “Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw.”

HLv 118.2

Jesus now abruptly turned the conversation. Before this soul could receive the gift He longed to bestow, she must be brought to recognize her sin and her Saviour. Jesus said to her, “Go, call thy husband, and come hither.” She answered, “I have no husband.” But the Saviour continued, “Thou hast well said, I have no husband: for thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: in that saidst thou truly.”

HLv 118.3

The listener trembled. A mysterious hand was turning the pages of her life history. Who was He that could read the secrets of her life? There came to her thoughts of eternity, of the future judgment, when all that is now hidden shall be revealed.

HLv 118.4

She tried to evade all mention of a subject so unwelcome. “Sir, I perceive that Thou art a prophet.” Then, hoping to silence conviction, she turned to points of religious controversy.

HLv 118.5

Patiently Jesus watched for the opportunity of again bringing the truth home to her heart. “Our fathers worshiped on this mountain,” she said, “and Ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.” Just in sight was Mount Gerizim, a subject of contention between Jews and Samaritans. For many generations the latter people were intermingled with idolaters, whose religion gradually contaminated their own.

HLv 118.6

When the temple at Jerusalem was rebuilt in the days of Ezra, the Samaritans wished to join the Jews in its erection. This was refused, and bitter animosity sprang up between the two peoples. The Samaritans built a rival temple on Mount Gerizim. But their temple was destroyed by enemies, and they seemed to be under a curse; yet they would not acknowledge the temple at Jerusalem as the house of God, nor admit that the religion of the Jews was superior.

HLv 119.1

In answer to the woman, Jesus said, “Believe Me, the hour cometh when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.” Now Jesus sought to break down the prejudice of this Samaritan against the Jews. Great truths of redemption had been committed to the Jews, and from among them the Messiah was to appear.

HLv 119.2

Jesus desired to lift the thoughts of His hearer above controversy. “The hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit, and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth.”

HLv 119.3

Not by seeking a holy mountain or a sacred temple are men brought into communion with heaven. In order to serve God aright, we must be born of the divine Spirit. This will purify the heart and renew the mind, giving us a willing obedience to all His requirements. This is true worship. It is the fruit of the working of the Holy Spirit. Wherever a soul reaches out after God, there the Spirit’s working is manifest, and God will reveal Himself to that soul.

HLv 119.4

As the woman talked with Jesus, she was impressed with His words. As the past of her life had been spread out before her, she realized her soul thirst, which the waters of the well of Sychar could never satisfy. Nothing had hitherto so awakened her to a higher need. Jesus read the secrets of her life; yet she felt that He was her friend, pitying and loving her. While the purity of His presence condemned her sin, He had spoken no word of denunciation, but had told her of His grace that could renew the soul. The question arose in her mind, Might not this be the long-looked-for Messiah? She said to Him, “I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when He is come, He will tell us all things.” Jesus answered, “I that speak unto thee am He.”

HLv 120.1

As the woman heard these words, faith sprang up in her heart. She accepted the wonderful announcement from the lips of the divine Teacher.

HLv 120.2

This woman was in an appreciative state of mind. She was interested in the Scriptures, and the Holy Spirit had been preparing her to receive more light. Light on Old Testament prophecies was already flashing into her mind. The water of life which Christ gives to every thirsty soul had begun to spring up in her heart.

HLv 120.3

The plain statement made by Christ to this woman could not have been made to the self-righteous Jews. That which had been withheld from them, and which the disciples were afterward enjoined to keep secret, was revealed to her. Jesus saw that she would make use of her knowledge in bringing others to share His grace.

HLv 120.4

When the disciples returned from their errand, they were surprised to find their Master speaking with the woman. He had not taken the refreshing draught He desired, and He did not stop to eat the food His disciples had brought. When the woman had gone, the disciples entreated Him to eat. They saw Him silent, His face beaming with light, and they feared to interrupt, but they thought it their duty to remind Him of His physical necessities. Jesus recognized their loving interest and said, “I have meat to eat that ye know not of.”

HLv 120.5

The disciples wondered who could have brought Him food. He explained, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to accomplish His work.” RSV. To minister to a soul hungering and thirsting for truth was more comforting and refreshing to Him than eating or drinking.

HLv 120.6

Our Redeemer hungers for the sympathy and love of those whom He has purchased with His blood. As the mother watches for the smile of recognition from her little child, which tells of the dawning of intelligence, so does Christ watch for the expression of grateful love, which shows that spiritual life is begun in the soul.

HLv 121.1

The woman had been filled with joy as she listened to Christ’s words. Leaving her waterpot, she returned to the city to carry the message to others. She forgot her errand to the well, she forgot the Saviour’s thirst, which she had purposed to supply. With heart overflowing with gladness, she hastened to impart to others the light she had received.

HLv 121.2

“Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did,” she said to the men of the city. “Is not this the Christ?” There was a new expression on her face, a change in her whole appearance. “They went out of the city, and came unto Him.”

HLv 121.3

As Jesus still sat at the well side, He looked over the fields of grain spread out before Him, their tender green touched by the golden sunlight. Pointing His disciples to the scene, He employed it as a symbol: “Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.” As He spoke, He looked on the groups coming to the well. Here was a harvest ready for the reaper.

HLv 121.4

“He that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together. And herein is that saying true, One soweth and another reapeth.” Those who receive the gospel are to be His living agencies. One scatters the seed; another gathers the harvest; and both rejoice together in the reward of their labor.

HLv 121.5

Jesus said to the disciples, “I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labor: other men labored, and ye are entered into their labors.” The disciples were entering into other men’s labors. An unseen agency had worked silently but effectually to produce the harvest. Christ was about to water the seed with His own blood. His disciples were co-workers with Christ and with holy men of old. By the outpouring of the Spirit at Pentecost, thousands were to be converted in a day. This was the result of Christ’s sowing, the harvest of His work.

HLv 122.1

The Samaritans came and heard Jesus, and believed. Crowding about Him at the well, they plied Him with questions, and eagerly received His explanations of many things that had been obscure to them. Their perplexity began to clear away. Anxious to hear more, they invited Him to their city, and begged Him to remain with them. For two days He tarried in Samaria, and many more believed.

HLv 122.2

Jesus performed no miracles among them, save in revealing the secrets of her life to the woman at the well. Yet many received Him. In their new joy they said to the woman, “Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard Him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world.”

HLv 122.3

Jesus had begun to break down the partition wall between Jew and Gentile, and to preach salvation to the world. He mingled freely with the Samaritans and accepted the hospitality of this despised people. He slept under their roofs, ate with them at their tables, taught in their streets, and treated them with the utmost kindness and courtesy.

HLv 122.4

In the temple at Jerusalem a low wall separated the outer court from other portions of the sacred building. On this wall were inscriptions stating that none but Jews were allowed to pass this boundary. Had a Gentile presumed to enter the inner enclosure, he would have paid the penalty with his life. But Jesus, the originator of the temple, brought to the Gentiles the salvation which the Jews rejected.

HLv 123.1

The disciples wondered at the conduct of Jesus. During the two days in Samaria, fidelity to Him kept their prejudices under control; yet in heart they were unreconciled. They were slow to learn that contempt and hatred must give place to pity and sympathy. But after the Lord’s ascension, His lessons came back to them with new meaning. They recalled the Saviour’s look, His words, the respect and tenderness of His bearing toward these despised strangers. When Peter went to preach in Samaria, he brought the same spirit into his work. When John was called to Ephesus and Smyrna, he remembered the experience at Shechem, and the divine Teacher’s own example.

HLv 123.2

Those who call themselves the Saviour’s followers may despise and shun the outcast; but no circumstance of birth or nationality, no condition of life, can turn away His love from any soul, however sinful. The gospel invitation is to be given to all. At Jacob’s well Jesus did not neglect the opportunity of speaking to one woman, a stranger living in open sin.

HLv 123.3

Often He began His lessons with only a few gathered about Him, but one by one the passers-by paused to listen, until a multitude heard with wonder and awe the words of God through the heaven-sent Teacher. There may be only one to hear the message from a worker for Christ today, but who can tell how far-reaching will be its influence?

HLv 123.4

The Samaritan woman proved herself a more effective missionary than His own disciples. Through her a whole cityful were brought to hear the Saviour. Every true disciple is born into the kingdom of God as a missionary. He who drinks of the living water becomes a fountain of life. The receiver becomes a giver. The grace of Christ in the soul is like a spring in the desert, refreshing all and making those who are ready to perish eager to drink of the water of life.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 25 (1910 - 1915)

Ms 27, 1910

25LtMs, Ms 27, 1910, par. 6

Every capability that God has given us, we are to use in letting the light of truth shine forth. The cities are to be warned. The time of the end is near. We can see that the signs of Christ’s coming are rapidly fulfilling. “Say ye not, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? Behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white, already to harvest. And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto eternal life; that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together. And herein is that saying true, One soweth and another reapeth. I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labor. Other men labored, and ye are entered into their labors.” [John 4:35-38.]

25LtMs, Ms 27, 1910, par. 7

Read the whole of the fourth chapter of John, and seek the Lord with earnest prayer. Perilous times are upon us. It does not become any man or woman to be regardless of the working of the Holy Spirit upon human hearts.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 10 (1895)

Lt 82, 1895

10LtMs, Lt 82, 1895, par. 1

Sabbath, October 19, the gathering at the tent was larger than we expected, as in the forenoon meetings were held by our people in the different churches. Hereafter all will come to the ground on Sabbath and Sunday. In the forenoon Brother Corliss spoke from Hosea words that were full of instruction. I spoke in the afternoon from the fourth [chapter] of John: “If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.” [Verse 10.]

10LtMs, Lt 82, 1895, par. 2

“The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, from whence then hast thou that living water? Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his sons, and his cattle? Jesus answered and said unto her, Every one that drinketh of this water shall thirst again, but whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall become in him a well of water springing up unto eternal life.” [Verses 11-14.] The Lord strengthened me to bear my testimony in His name.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)

Ms 173, 1897

12LtMs, Ms 173, 1897, par. 21

The many invitations of mercy and goodness should cut away from every soul the doubt existing, and the questioning: Will the Lord hear my prayer? Will the Lord have mercy upon me? Will He give me His favor? Hear His invitation, “If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink.” [John 7:37.] Here is the woman of Samaria. Christ asks of her, “Give me to drink” [John 4:7], and she begins the controversy so singular to her, that a Jew should ask drink of a Samaritan—a class of people they thoroughly despised. Then the words of Christ. See John 4. Here the mission work of Christ commenced. Jesus said unto her, “If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldst have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.” “Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle” (Verses 10, 12)? See also verses 13-42.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)

Ms 40, 1897

12LtMs, Ms 40, 1897, par. 15

The four apostles Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, all bear record that Jew and Gentile, rulers, kings, and governors, priests and people, all classes and tongues, were represented in rejecting and crucifying Christ, the Son of God, a man who was innocent, and against whom they could find no proof. The synagogue of Satan, the prince of darkness and his evil agents, united in a desperate companionship with disloyal, evil men. They resolved to put the whole power of their corrupt energies to work to put out of the world the light of truth.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 15 (1900)

Lt 53, 1900

15LtMs, Lt 53, 1900, par. 4

In our Bible, we might ask, Why need Matthew, Mark, Luke and John in the Gospels, why need the Acts of the Apostles, and the variety of writers in the Epistles, go over the same thing?

15LtMs, Lt 53, 1900, par. 6

We are not to feel that we must speak the very same things, giving the same representation in the same words, and yet there is to be unity in the diversity. All the different testimonies unite to form one whole, as the books of the Bible are brought together, and bound under one cover. But should Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John go off on some tangent, contradicting each other’s testimony, then there would be confusion. In the presentation of truth by different minds, there is to be unity in diversity.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 18 (1903)

Ms 91, 1903

18LtMs, Ms 91, 1903, par. 15

Why do we need a Matthew, a Mark, a Luke, a John, a Paul, and all these other writers who have borne their testimony in regard to the life of the Saviour during His earthly ministry? Why could not one of the disciples have written a complete record, and thus have given us a connected account of Christ’s life and work? The Gospels differ. One writer brings in points that another does not bring in. If these points are essential, why did not all these writers mention them? It is because the minds of men differ and do not comprehend all things in exactly the same way. Some Scripture truths appeal much more strongly to the minds of certain persons than to others; some points appear to be much more important to some than to others. The same principle applies to speakers. Some speakers dwell at considerable length on points that others would pass by quickly or not mention at all. Thus the whole truth is presented more clearly by several than by one. In the Gospels the records blend in one harmonious whole.

Conflict and Courage

Confrontation at Jacob’s Well, October 15

CC 294.1

Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. John 4:14.

CC 294.2

When Jesus sat down to rest at Jacob’s well, He had come from Judea, where His ministry had produced little fruit.... He was faint and weary; yet He did not neglect the opportunity of speaking to one woman, though she was a stranger, an alien from Israel, and living in open sin.24Ibid., 194.

CC 294.3

As the woman talked with Jesus, she was impressed with His words.... She realized her soul thirst, which the waters of the well of Sychar could never satisfy. Nothing that had hitherto come in contact with her had so awakened her to a higher need. Jesus had convinced her that He read the secrets of her life; yet he felt that He was her friend, pitying and loving her. While the very purity of His presence condemned her sin, He had spoken no word of denunciation, but had told her of His grace, that could renew the soul....

CC 294.4

Leaving her waterpot, she returned to the city, to carry the message to others.... With heart overflowing with gladness, she hastened on her way, to impart to others the precious light she had received.

CC 294.5

“Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did,” she said to the men of the city. “Is not this the Christ?” Her words touched their hearts. There was a new expression on her face, a change in her whole appearance. They were interested to see Jesus.25Ibid., 189, 191.

CC 294.6

As soon as she had found the Saviour the Samaritan woman brought others to Him. She proved herself a more effective missionary than His own disciples.... Their thoughts were fixed upon a great work to be done in the future. They did not see that right around them was a harvest to be gathered. But through the woman whom they despised, a whole cityful were brought to hear the Saviour....

CC 294.7

This woman represents the working of a practical faith in Christ. Every true disciple is born into the kingdom of God as a missionary. He who drinks of the living water becomes a fountain of life. The receiver becomes a giver.26Ibid., 195.

Daughters of God

The Samaritan Woman

DG 61.2

The Jews and the Samaritans despised each other. One would never ask a favor of the other even if the need were great. And they would never address a woman unless she spoke first. When Jesus, a Jew, asked a Samaritan woman for a drink of water, it was an action unheard of. The ensuing dialog changed her life.

DG 61.3

How thankful we should be that Christ took human nature upon Himself, and became subject to temptation, even as we are! Though He took humanity upon Himself, He was divine. All that is attributed to the Father Himself is attributed to Christ. His divinity was clothed with humanity; He was the Creator of heaven and earth; and yet while upon earth, He became weary, as men do, and sought rest from the continual pressure of labor. He who made the ocean, who controls the waters of the great deep, who opened the springs and channels of the earth, felt it necessary to rest at Jacob’s well, and to ask a drink of water from a strange Samaritan woman.

DG 61.4

When she questioned the propriety of His request—how it was that He, being a Jew, should ask water of one who was a Samaritan—He spoke words to her that revealed His divine character. He said: “If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.”

DG 62.1

When the woman expressed surprise at this statement, He continued, “Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.”—The Review and Herald, May 19, 1896.

DG 62.2

The woman looked upon Him with wondering attention; He had succeeded in arousing her interest and inspiring respect for Himself. She now perceived that it was not the water of Jacob’s well to which Jesus alluded, for of this she used continually, drinking, and thirsting again. With remarkable faith she asked Him to give her the water of which He spoke, that she might not thirst nor come to draw from the well....

DG 62.3

Jesus now abruptly changed the subject of conversation, and bade her call her husband. The woman answered frankly that she had no husband. Jesus had now approached the desired point where He could convince her that He had the power to read her life history, although previously unacquainted with her. He addressed her thus: “Thou hast well said, I have no husband; for thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband; in that saidst thou truly.”

DG 62.4

Jesus had a double object in view; He wished to arouse her conscience as to the sin of her manner of life, as well as to prove to her that a sight wiser than human eyes had read the secrets of her life. But the woman, although not fully realizing the guilt of her manner of living, was greatly astonished that this stranger should possess such knowledge. With profound reverence she said, “Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet.”...

DG 62.5

The words of truth that fell from the lips of the divine Teacher stirred the heart of His listener. Never had she heard such sentiments, either from the priests of her own people or the Jews. The impressive teachings of this stranger carried her mind back to the prophecies concerning the promised Christ; for the Samaritans as well as the Jews looked for His coming. “I know that Messias cometh,” said she; “when he is come, he will tell us all things.” Jesus answered, “I that speak unto thee am he.”

DG 62.6

Blessed woman of Samaria! She had felt during the conference as if in the presence of divinity; now she gladly acknowledged her Lord. She required of Him no miracle, as did the Jews, to prove His divine character. She accepted His assertion, feeling perfect confidence in His words, and not questioning the holy influence that emanated from Him.—The Spirit of Prophecy 2:141-145 (1877).

DG 63.1

She went forth publishing the news: “Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?” This woman’s testimony converted many to a belief in Christ. Through her report many came to hear Him for themselves and believed because of His own word.—Testimonies for the Church 3:217 (1885).

DG 63.2

She proved herself a more effective missionary than His own disciples. The disciples saw nothing in Samaria to indicate that it was an encouraging field. Their thoughts were fixed upon a great work to be done in the future. They did not see that right around them was a harvest to be gathered. But through the woman whom they despised a whole city full were brought to hear Jesus. She carried the light at once to her countrymen. This woman represents the working of a practical faith in Christ.—The Ministry of Healing, 102 (1905).

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 16 (1901)

Ms 12, 1901

16LtMs, Ms 12, 1901, par. 1

“Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well; and it was about the sixth hour. There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink. ... Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? For the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans. Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water. The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep; from whence then hast thou that living water? Art thou greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children and his cattle? Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again; but whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water, springing up into everlasting life.” [John 4:6, 7, 9-14.]

16LtMs, Ms 12, 1901, par. 2

While the woman was extolling Jacob’s well, Christ was speaking to her of the water of everlasting life. “He who drinks of the water of Jacob’s well shall thirst again,” He said; “but he who drinks of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst.” [Verses 13, 14.]

16LtMs, Ms 12, 1901, par. 3

Instead of disparaging Jacob’s well, Christ presented something infinitely better. “If thou knewest the gift of God,” He said, “and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.” [Verse 10.] He turned the conversation to the treasure He had to bestow, the living water, which will satisfy the craving of mind and heart. He offered the woman something better than anything she possessed, even living water, the joy and hope of the gospel of His kingdom.

16LtMs, Ms 12, 1901, par. 5

These poor souls are engaged in a wild chase after worldly pleasure and earthly riches. They have no knowledge of anything more desirable. But games, theatres, horse-races, will not satisfy the soul. Human beings were not created to be satisfied in this way, to spend their money for that which is not bread. Show them how infinitely superior to the fleeting joys and pleasures of the world is the imperishable glory of heaven. Seek to convince them of the freedom and hope and rest and peace there is in the gospel. “Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst,” Christ declared. [John 4:14.]

16LtMs, Ms 12, 1901, par. 8

To the weary and heavy laden, Christ says, “Come unto me, ... and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart, and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” [Matthew 11:28-30.] Restless, craving, exhausted heart, think of the Saviour’s words, “Whosoever drinketh of this water that I shall give him shall never thirst.” Drink from the wells of worldly pleasure, and you will thirst again. Drink of the water of life, and you will be satisfied and refreshed. It will be in you “a well of water, springing up into everlasting life.” [John 4:14.] Love and light and truth and life are found in the everlasting gospel. Come, ye who labor and are heavy laden, come to the living water. “Let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” [Revelation 22:17.]

Christ Triumphant

The Living Water Comes From Jesus, August 12

CTr 231.1

There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink. John 4:7.

From the Heart

The Water of Life, August 23

FH 247.1

A woman of Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give Me a drink.” John 4:7.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)

Lt 48, 1897

12LtMs, Lt 48, 1897, par. 5

Consider how circumstances which occur bring truth before the minds of others. Call to mind the woman of Samaria, who came, as was her usual custom, to draw water. A stranger sitting on the well asks her for a drink. A conversation begins. Jesus says to her, “If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink, thou wouldst have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.” “Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again, but whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water, springing up unto everlasting life.” [John 4:7-14.]

12LtMs, Lt 48, 1897, par. 6

Remembering the weary work which she had to repeat day after day, and thinking what an advantage it would be if she could have water without all this trouble, the woman said, “Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw.” [Verse 15.] She did not realize that Jesus was presenting to her the soul’s highest interest, the water of life.

12LtMs, Lt 48, 1897, par. 7

The words spoken by Christ were the living water. But she soon became so interested that she left her water pot, and going into the city, bore the words to her countrymen, “Come, see a man that told me all things that ever I did. Is not this the Christ?” [Verse 29.]

Gospel Workers (1915 ed.)

The Woman of Samaria

GW 195.1

How much interest Christ manifested in this one woman! How earnest and eloquent were His words! They stirred the heart of the listener, and forgetting her errand to the well, she went into the city and said to her friends, “Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?” [See John 4:7-30.]

The Ministry of Healing

Personal Ministry

MH 27.1

Christ neglected no opportunity of proclaiming the gospel of salvation. Listen to His wonderful words to that one woman of Samaria. He was sitting by Jacob’s well, as the woman came to draw water. To her surprise He asked a favor of her. “Give Me to drink,” He said. He wanted a cool draft, and He wished also to open the way whereby He might give to her the water of life. “How is it,” said the woman, “that Thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.” Jesus answered, “If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give Me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of Him, and He would have given thee living water.... Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: but whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” John 4:7-14.

MH 28.1

How much interest Christ manifested in this one woman! How earnest and eloquent were His words! When the woman heard them, she left her waterpot, and went into the city, saying to her friends, “Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?” We read that “many of the Samaritans of that city believed on Him.” Verses 29, 39. And who can estimate the influence which these words have exerted for the saving of souls in the years that have passed since then?

Lift Him Up

By the Ties of Human Sympathy, June 18

LHU 183.1

There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink. John 4:7.

LHU 183.4

Christ neglected no opportunity of proclaiming the gospel of salvation. Listen to His wonderful words to that one woman of Samaria. He was sitting by Jacob’s well, as the woman came to draw water. To her surprise He asked a favor of her. “Give me to drink,” He said. He wanted a cool draft, and He wished also to open the way whereby He might give to her the water of life. “How is it,” said the woman, “that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.” Jesus answered, “If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water” (John 4:7-10)....

LHU 183.5

How much interest Christ manifested in this one woman! How earnest and eloquent were His words! When the woman heard them, she left her waterpot, and went into the city, saying to her friends, “Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?” We read that “many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him” (verses 29, 39). And who can estimate the influence which these words have exerted for the saving of souls in the years that have passed since then?

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 18 (1903)

Lt 72, 1903

18LtMs, Lt 72, 1903, par. 15

Think of the wonderful words that Christ spoke to one woman in Samaria. He was sitting by Jacob’s well as this woman came there to draw water. Christ asked a favor of her. “Give Me to drink,” He said. [John 4:7.] He wanted a cool draught, and He wanted also to open the way whereby He might give to her the water of life.

18LtMs, Lt 72, 1903, par. 16

“How is it,” said the woman, “that Thou being a Jew askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? For the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.” Jesus answered, “If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give Me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of Him, and He would have given thee living water. ... Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again; but whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water, springing up unto everlasting life.” [Verses 9, 10, 13, 14.]

18LtMs, Lt 72, 1903, par. 17

How much interest Christ manifested in this one woman! How earnest and eloquent were His words! When the woman heard them, she left her water pot and went into the city, saying to her friends, “Come, see a man which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?” We read that “many of the Samaritans of that city believed on Him.” [Verses 29, 39.] And who can estimate the influence that these words have exerted for the saving of souls in the years that have passed since then?

Christ’s Object Lessons

Chapter 27—“Who is My Neighbour?”

COL 380.3

The great difference between the Jews and the Samaritans was a difference in religious belief, a question as to what constitutes true worship. The Pharisees would say nothing good of the Samaritans, but poured their bitterest curses upon them. So strong was the antipathy between the Jews and the Samaritans that to the Samaritan woman it seemed a strange thing for Christ to ask her for a drink. “How is it,” she said, “that Thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria?” “For,” adds the evangelist, “the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.” John 4:9. And when the Jews were so filled with murderous hatred against Christ that they rose up in the temple to stone Him, they could find no better words by which to express their hatred than, “Say we not well that Thou art a Samaritan, and hast a devil?” John 8:48. Yet the priest and Levite neglected the very work the Lord had enjoined on them, leaving a hated and despised Samaritan to minister to one of their own countrymen.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 13 (1898)

Ms 167, 1898

13LtMs, Ms 167, 1898, par. 25

This parable of the good Samaritan was placed on record as an example for future generations. So strong was the antipathy of the Jews to the Samaritans that it seemed a strange thing for the Samaritan woman that Christ should ask her for a drink. “How is it,” she said, “that thou, being a Jew, asketh drink of me, which as a woman of Samaria?” “For,” adds the evangelist, “the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.” [John 4:9.] And when the Jews were so filled with murderous hatred against Christ that they rose up in the temple to stone him, they could find no better words to express their hatred than by saying, “Say we not well that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a devil?” [John 8:48.] Yet they neglected the very work the Lord had enjoined on them, leaving a hated Samaritan to minister to one of their countrymen who had been robbed and wounded.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 8 (1893)

Ms 6, 1893

8LtMs, Ms 6, 1893, par. 3

The living water that fails not was presented to the woman of Samaria who was living contrary to the Word of God. See John 4:9-15. She did not see anything very flattering in Jesus. “Art thou greater than our father Jacob?” [Verse 12.] Now you can see it is the very same Scripture, “Whose waters fail not, springing up into everlasting life.” [Isaiah 58:11; John 4:14.] Nothing less than the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. We should sit at the feet of Jesus. “I am the bread of Life.” [John 6:35.] Learn constantly of Jesus Christ. Springing up in us into everlasting life.

Lift Him Up

Seek Help From Jesus, Not Sinful Humans, March 20

LHU 93.6

We are not polite to Christ. We do not recognize His presence. We do not realize that He is to be our honored guest, that we are encircled by His long human arm, while with His divine arm He grasps the throne of the Infinite. We forget that the threshold of heaven is flooded with the glory proceeding from the throne of God, that the light may fall directly on those who are seeking the help that Christ alone can give. He said to the woman of Samaria, “If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water” (John 4:10) (Manuscript 144, 1901).

From the Heart

God’s Innumerable Bounties, March 20

FH 91.1

Jesus ... said to her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.” John 4:10.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 6 (1889-1890)

Ms 53, 1890

6LtMs, Ms 53, 1890, par. 37

I am thinking and thinking—too happy to sleep. If those who are not in Christ could see Him and hear His voice saying, “And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take of the water of life freely.” Revelation 22:17. He is saying, “If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.” John 4:10. While many are in expectation of receiving gifts from their friends, they have a Friend who is the repository of every good thing. He has treasures of knowledge and grace and greatly desires recipients to share the blessings He delights to bestow.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 8 (1893)

Lt 119, 1893

8LtMs, Lt 119, 1893, par. 16

Jesus, precious Saviour, was homeless and often hungry. He had not where to lay His head. He was wearied oft. Humanity is honored because Jesus assumed humanity to reveal to the world what humanity may become. He came to bring life and immortality to light, to fill the commonplace, homeliest pursuits of life with brightness. Jesus is bending over us, searching into our characters to see if His own character is reflected in us. “If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldst have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.” John 4:10.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 10 (1895)

Ms 16, 1895

10LtMs, Ms 16, 1895, par. 26

“Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldst have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.” [John 4:10.] We must be partakers of the divine nature. Christ wants everyone of you to be a sharer in His kingdom, and He wants you to perfect a character after the divine likeness, so that we can enjoy heaven. If you spend your whole lifetime in the low, sordid things of this world, you will not want to meet Jesus bye and bye. Do you not want to be sons and daughters of God? Do you not want to see the King in His beauty, and be able to say to Him, “Here I am Lord, and the children which thou hast given me? I have tried to tell them of the Saviour that was born in Bethlehem, and how Satan followed Him every step from the manger to the cross.”

Lift Him Up

A Satisfying Fountain, June 19

LHU 184.1

If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water. John 4:10.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 11 (1896)

Lt 144, 1896

11LtMs, Lt 144, 1896, par. 6

I am thankful you are determined to bind about your desire to engage in financial matters. This is right. The Lord is abundant in goodness. We have only to ask in faith in order to receive. Heaven is not enriched by withholding. The Holy Spirit will be dispensed in large measure, and perpetually, if we will rest in the love of God. As the heedless and unappreciative pass by the living Fountain of the water of life, what satisfaction and joy would it be to Him if they would receive. He is hoarded with the heavenly treasure, which He longs to bestow. He longs to make the human heart at peace with Himself. “If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.” [John 4:10.]

Lift Him Up

Present Something Better, October 20

LHU 307.4

It is of little use to try to reform others by attacking what we may regard as wrong habits. Such effort often results in more harm than good. In His talk with the Samaritan woman, instead of disparaging Jacob’s well, Christ presented something better. “If thou knewest the gift of God,” He said, “and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water” (John 4:10). He turned the conversation to the treasure He had to bestow, offering the woman something better than she possessed, even living water, the joy and hope of the gospel.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 25 (1910 - 1915)

Lt 30, 1912

25LtMs, Lt 30, 1912, par. 4

The lessons to be learned from the lifework of Elijah and Elisha mean much to all who are striving to plant the feet of men and women on the eternal Rock. The workers must humble their own hearts if they would understand God’s purpose for them; they must themselves strive in the truest sense if they would influence others to enter the strait gate. The presentation of the truth must be made with grace and with power to those who stand in need of light and uplifting. Truth is represented as “living water” proceeding from the fountain of God. [John 4:10.] Impress upon the minds of the people the satisfaction and joy there is in the service of Christ, and they will come to understand their need. They will recognize the fruits of true religion in the godly walk of those who truly follow Christ. The people of God would obtain a rich experience if they would really believe that their fruitfulness in the Christian life depends upon a constant partaking of the water of life.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 25 (1910 - 1915)

Ms 79a, 1910

25LtMs, Ms 79a, 1910, par. 35

“His praise should continually be in our hearts and upon our lips.” Now, as I read, in comparison with Jacob’s well He presented the fountain of living waters. “If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink thou wouldst have asked him, and He would have given thee living waters.” [John 4:10.]

Mind, Character, and Personality, vol. 2

Chapter 64—Habits

2MCP 600.1

In His talk with the Samaritan woman, instead of disparaging Jacob’s well, Christ presented something better. “If thou knewest the gift of God,” He said, “and who it is that saith to thee, Give Me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of Him, and He would have given thee living water” (John 4:10). He turned the conversation to the treasure He had to bestow, offering the woman something better than she possessed, even living water, the joy and hope of the gospel.—The Ministry of Healing, 156, 157 (1905).

This Day With God

Life-giving Water, October 19

TDG 301.1

Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water. John 4:10.

The Ellen G. White 1888 Materials

The Visit to Washington, D C. Diary, December 19 to [30], 1890

1888 776.2

I am thinking and thinking—too happy to sleep. If those who are not in Christ could see Him and hear His voice saying, “And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take of the water of life freely.” Revelation 22:17. He is saying, “If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldst have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.” John 4:10. While many are in expectation of receiving gifts from their friends, they have a Friend who is the repository of every good thing. He has treasures of knowledge and grace, and greatly desires recipients to share the blessings He delights to bestow.

The Ellen G. White 1888 Materials

Counsels for Husbands and Wives; Also, Guidelines for Students and Faculty in a School

1888 1217.3

Kind words, looks of sympathy, expressions of appreciation, would be to many a struggling and lonely one as the cup of cold water to a thirsty soul. A word of sympathy, an act of kindness, would lift burdens that are resting heavily upon some shoulders. And words of counsel, admonitions, warnings from a heart sanctified by love, are just as essential as an effusion of loving sentiments and expressions of appreciation. Every word or deed of unselfish kindness to souls with whom we are brought in connection is an expression of the love that Jesus has manifested for the whole human family. That love is beautifully presented to us by Christ Himself. [John 4:10, 13, 14, quoted.]

Sermons and Talks, vol. 2

Manuscript 144, 1901

2SAT 166.1

We are not polite to Christ. We do not recognize His presence. We do not realize that He is to be our honored guest, that we are encircled by His long human arm, while with His divine arm He grasps the throne of the Infinite. We forget that the threshold of heaven is flooded with the glory proceeding from the throne of God, that the light may fall directly on those who are seeking the help that Christ alone can give. He said to the woman of Samaria, “If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.... Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life” [John 4:10, 14].

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 7 (1891-1892)

Lt 2c, 1892

7LtMs, Lt 2c, 1892, par. 19

Brethren and sisters in Battle Creek who have had these precious truths set before you, I ask you to think of the many, many souls who need to hear the message of redeeming love. Jesus said unto the woman of Samaria, “If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith unto thee, ‘Give me to drink,’ thou wouldst have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water. ... Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him, shall never thirst, but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” [John 4:10, 13, 14.] While you at Battle Creek have the privilege of receiving from Jesus the living water, will you let these opportunities and gracious invitations and promises all be given and you receive no benefit? Will you feast your souls upon the riches of His marvelous love and grace, and yet feel no special burden for those who are still in darkness and error? I ask you to present some tangible proof that you appreciate the love of God in sending His Son into the world, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 8 (1893)

Lt 6, 1893

8LtMs, Lt 6, 1893, par. 14

Can you or I doubt the goodness of the Saviour? The elevation, holiness, and power of His instruction? He offers eternal life to all who come unto Him. “If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.” [John 7:37.] Said Christ to the woman of Samaria, “If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water. ... Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: but whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” [John 4:10, 13, 14.] This water is for you; drink it, for it will supply every necessity if Christ abides in the soul.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 9 (1894)

Lt 76, 1894

9LtMs, Lt 76, 1894, par. 10

Kind words, looks of sympathy, expressions of appreciation, would be to many a struggling and lonely one as the cup of cold water to a thirsty soul. A word of sympathy, an act of kindness, would lift burdens that are resting heavily upon some shoulders. And words of counsel, admonitions, warnings from a heart sanctified by love, are just as essential as an effusion of loving sentiments and expressions of appreciation. Every word or deed of unselfish kindness to souls with whom we are brought in connection is an expression of the love that Jesus has manifested for the whole human family. That love is beautifully presented to us by Christ Himself: “If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water ... Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: but whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” [John 4:10, 13, 14.]

9LtMs, Lt 76, 1894, par. 11

Too often the marriage relation is entered into without proper consideration; none should marry in uncertainty. But if they have not been properly considerate in this matter, and after marriage find themselves dissimilar in character, and liable to reap unhappiness in the place of joy, let them not <breathe into another’s mind> the fact that their marriage was unwise. Let no third person become acquainted with the matter, but let each in the fear of God seek to understand and to help the other. In my experience many cases have come before me that were most difficult to deal with. Fictitious reading has confused the mind, and marriage is falsely colored. As Christians we should discard all this <class of> reading that creates so much unhappiness in the marriage life. Persons do not realize their expectation, and nothing that the companion can do is pleasing. The one in this dangerous position should center the affections upon God, and drink of the water that Christ shall give, which will be as “a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” [Verse 14.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 9 (1894)

Lt 102, 1894

9LtMs, Lt 102, 1894, par. 4

The truth is a living principle made to shine in precious clearness to the understanding, and then, O then, it is time to speak words from the living Christ, “Ye are laborers together with God.” [1 Corinthians 3:9.] Christ said to the woman of Samaria, “If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that said to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of Him, and He would have given thee living water ... A well of water springing up into everlasting life.” [John 4:10, 14.] Those who have the out-pouring of the gospel of Christ which comes from the heart imbued by His Holy Spirit will give light and comfort and hope to hearts that are hungering and thirsting for righteousness. It is not excitement we wish to create, but deep, earnest consideration, that those who hear shall do solid work, real, sound, genuine work that will be enduring as eternity. We hunger not for excitement, for the sensational; the less we have of this, the better. The calm, earnest reasoning from the Scriptures is precious and fruitful. Here is the secret of success in preaching a living personal Saviour in so simple and earnest a manner that the people may be able to lay hold by faith of the power of the Word of life. Present not Anna Phillip’s productions, but the truth, substantiated by the authority of the living Word, which is the power of God unto salvation.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 10 (1895)

Lt 63, 1895

10LtMs, Lt 63, 1895, par. 53

Let gratitude and heavenly love be encouraged in our souls, and practiced because we are looking unto and beholding Jesus, and being transformed into His image. What is the fruit of this? Confidence, hope, patience, and courage is constantly increasing in our hearts, as Christ represented to the woman of Samaria; “If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith unto thee, Give me to drink, thou wouldst have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water. ... Whosoever shall drink of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him will be in him a well of water springing up unto everlasting life.” [John 4:10, 14.] This life represents the life of Christ, and every soul may enter into it, and may have a living connection with God. Blessed, humble, grateful confidence becomes an abiding principle. The soul is drawn out in contemplation of Christ’s character who first loved us. Unbelieving fears are swept away before living, trusting faith. We can in truthfulness say from a living, rich experience, “if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost.” [2 Corinthians 4:3.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 10 (1895)

Lt 84, 1895

10LtMs, Lt 84, 1895, par. 21

Those who are of a contrite heart will receive the message of heaven, and will voice the words of the angel. This is the work of all who have heard the divine invitation. Jesus said to the woman of Samaria what He says to us all, “If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldst have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water. ... Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” [John 4:10, 14.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 10 (1895)

Lt 58, 1895

10LtMs, Lt 58, 1895, par. 56

We should cherish love and gratitude, we should look unto Jesus and become transformed into His image. The result of this will be increased confidence, hope, patience, and courage. We shall be drinking of the water of life of which Christ spoke to the woman of Samaria. He said, “If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living waters ... Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” [John 4:10, 14.] This water represents the life of Christ, and every soul may have it by coming into living connection with God. Then blessed, humble, grateful confidence will be an abiding principle in the soul. Unbelieving fear will be swept away before living faith. We shall contemplate the character of Him who first loved us.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 10 (1895)

Lt 97, 1895

10LtMs, Lt 97, 1895, par. 24

He said, “If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldst have asked of Him, and He would have given thee living water.” [John 4:10.] When the woman expressed surprise at this statement, He continued, “Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him, shall never thirst: but the water that I shall give Him shall be in Him a well of water springing up unto everlasting life.” [Verse 14.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 11 (1896)

Lt 106, 1896

11LtMs, Lt 106, 1896, par. 32

Again, the Saviour is seen sitting at Jacob’s well, telling the Samaritan woman of the living water. It might seem to be a small matter, even to His disciples, for the Saviour to spend His time upon a woman of Samaria. But He reasoned more earnestly and eloquently with her than He did with kings, counsellors, or high priests. The lessons He gave to that woman have been repeated to the earth’s remotest bounds. “If thou knewest the gift of God,” He said, “and who it is that saith unto thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked him, and he would have given thee living water.” “Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water, springing up unto everlasting life.” [John 4:10, 14.] O what words! how full of promise!

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 11 (1896)

Lt 40, 1896

11LtMs, Lt 40, 1896, par. 7

What said Christ to the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well? “If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink, thou wouldst have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.” “Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again, but whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water, springing up into everlasting life.” [John 4:10, 13, 14.] The water that Christ referred to was the revelation of His grace in His Word. His Spirit, His teaching, is as a satisfying fountain to every soul. Every other source to which they shall resort will prove unsatisfying. But the Word of truth is as cool streams, represented as the waters of Lebanon, which are always satisfying. In Christ is fullness of joy forevermore. The desires and pleasures and amusements of the world are never satisfying or healing to the soul. But Jesus says, “Whosoever eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood hath eternal life.” [John 6:54.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)

Lt 79, 1897

12LtMs, Lt 79, 1897, par. 6

The Lord speaks to the poor, Satan-bound, deceived souls who allow their capabilities and power of influence to be worked by satanic agencies. They produce no fruit to the glory of God. Their religion is one of convenience. While they profess to believe in Jesus, their works give as unmistakable evidence to the contrary as if they said, “I know not the Man.” [Matthew 26:74.] “If thou knewest the gift of God,” said Christ, “and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink, thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.” [John 4:10.] Mark the words, “If thou knewest the gift of God.” Who is that gift of God? All things come to us from God through His abundant mercy and goodness; but One is the gift of God, the greatest of all gifts, and which brings all others in its train. Of this gift Paul speaks when he says, “Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.” [2 Corinthians 9:15.]

12LtMs, Lt 79, 1897, par. 8

“If thou knewest the gift of God, ... thou wouldst have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.” [John 4:10.] Prayer must be preceded by an intelligent knowledge. If thou knewest the gift of God, thou wouldest have asked of Him, and He would have given thee living water.

12LtMs, Lt 79, 1897, par. 9

Christ called the attention of the woman of Samaria from the inferior gifts that supply the temporal necessities, to the eternal. “Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him, shall never thirst,” He says. This draught is furnished from a reservoir that never fails. The knowledge of God and obedience to Him make fallen man one with Jesus Christ. Everlasting life is revealed in the gospel. Here alone is sufficient provision to satisfy all hunger and all thirst. “He that drinketh of the water that I shall give him,” says Christ, “shall never thirst;” for the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water, springing up with its refreshing, revivifying strengthening streams unto everlasting life. [Verse 14.] Through it the weary, exhausted, burdened soul finds rest.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 13 (1898)

Lt 56, 1898

13LtMs, Lt 56, 1898, par. 11

We should not use the drugs and narcotics used by worldly physicians to relieve the necessity which the abuse of appetite has created in the physical structure. Our work now is to point men and women to the cross of Calvary. Through His death on the cross, Christ has provided a supply of His rich grace. This is the water of life, and the spring from whence it flows is never exhausted. It is deep and wide and pure. God is nearer than we think to poor hungering, thirsting souls. We have the privilege of receiving the water of life direct from Christ. To the woman of Samaria Christ said, “If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith unto thee, Give me to drink, thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water. ... Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst, but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water, springing up into everlasting life.” [John 4:10, 14.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 13 (1898)

Ms 96, 1898

13LtMs, Ms 96, 1898, par. 9

To the Samaritan woman Christ said, “If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water. ... Whosoever shall drink of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water, springing up into everlasting life.” [John 4:10, 14.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 13 (1898)

Ms 4, 1898

13LtMs, Ms 4, 1898, par. 9

Those who are of a contrite heart will receive the message from heaven, and will repeat the words of invitation, “Whosoever will let him take of the water of life freely.” [Verse 17.] Christ called the attention of the woman of Samaria from the inferior gifts of life to those things that are eternal, saying, “If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink, thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water. ... Whosoever shall drink of this water shall thirst again; but whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst: but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water, springing up into everlasting life.” [John 4:10, 13, 14.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 14 (1899)

Ms 143, 1899

14LtMs, Ms 143, 1899, par. 9

Christ said to the woman of Samaria, “If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink, thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water. ... Whoso drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst, but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” [John 4:10, 14.] This water represents the life of Christ, and every soul may partake of it. When we have a living connection with God, humble confidence becomes an abiding principle in the soul. Unbelieving fears are swept away before loving trusting faith. We can say truthfully, “If our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost, in whom the god of this world hath blinded their eyes of them that believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” [2 Corinthians 4:3, 4.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 14 (1899)

Lt 89, 1899

14LtMs, Lt 89, 1899, par. 3

I am afraid that the editor does not drink deep from the fountain of living waters. It is now that we need to be worked by the Holy Spirit. The editors of our periodicals, the teachers in our Sabbath schools, the presidents of our conferences, all need to drink of the pure streams of living water. They need to understand more clearly the words spoken by our Lord to the Samaritan woman; “If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink, thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given you living water.” [John 4:10.]

14LtMs, Lt 89, 1899, par. 4

The woman tried to enter into a controversy. She said, “Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep; from whence then hast thou that living water. Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle? Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again; but whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water, springing up into everlasting life.” [Verses 11-14.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 14 (1899)

Lt 3, 1899

14LtMs, Lt 3, 1899, par. 34

The religion that comes from God is the only religion that will lead to God. Christ said to the woman at the well, “If thou hadst known who it was that said to thee, Give me to drink, thou wouldst have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water. ... Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again; but whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water, springing up into everlasting life.” [John 4:10, 13, 14.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 14 (1899)

Ms 165, 1899

14LtMs, Ms 165, 1899, par. 36

When Jesus talked with the Samaritan woman, He did not reprove her for coming to draw from Jacob’s well, but He presented something of far greater value. In comparison with Jacob’s well, He showed her the fountain of living water. “If thou knewest the gift of God,” He said, “and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink, thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water ... Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again, but whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water, springing up into everlasting life.” [John 4:10, 13, 14.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 14 (1899)

Ms 198, 1899

14LtMs, Ms 198, 1899, par. 38

Said Christ to the Samaritan woman, “If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink, thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water. ... Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: but whoso drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up unto everlasting life.” [John 4:10, 13, 14.]

Manuscript Releases, vol. 13 [Nos. 1000-1080]

MR No. 1019—Counsels for Husbands and Wives; Also Guidelines for Students and Faculty in a School

13MR 140.3

Kind words, looks of sympathy, expressions of appreciation, would be to many a struggling and lonely one as the cup of cold water to a thirsty soul. A word of sympathy, an act of kindness, would lift burdens that are resting heavily upon some shoulders. And words of counsel, admonitions, warnings from a heart sanctified by love, are just as essential as an effusion of loving sentiments and expressions of appreciation. Every word or deed of unselfish kindness to souls with whom we are brought in connection is an expression of the love that Jesus has manifested for the whole human family. That love is beautifully presented to us by Christ Himself. [John 4:10, 13, 14, quoted.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 16 (1901)

Ms 1, 1901

16LtMs, Ms 1, 1901, par. 24

Christ said to the Samaritan woman, “If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink, thou wouldst have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water. ... Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again, but whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst, but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water, springing up unto everlasting life.” [John 4:10, 13, 14.] Thus is represented the experience of the thankful heart. It continually overflows in blessings to others.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 16 (1901)

Ms 84, 1901

16LtMs, Ms 84, 1901, par. 4

Teachers, be truly converted to God. Realize that in every school established, the first work is to become acquainted with God and with the principles of heaven, that in your daily work you may prove the truthfulness of the words of Christ to the woman of Samaria, “If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water,” which is as “a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” [John 4:10, 14.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 16 (1901)

Ms 144, 1901

16LtMs, Ms 144, 1901, par. 13

We are not polite to Christ. We do not recognize His presence. We do not realize that He is to be our honored guest, that we are encircled by His long human arm, while with His divine arm He grasps the throne of the Infinite. We forget that the threshold of heaven is flooded with the glory proceeding from the throne of God, that the light may fall directly on those who are seeking the help that Christ alone can give. He said to the woman of Samaria, “If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water. ... Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” [John 4:10, 14.]

Temperance

Chapter 2—The Temperance Worker

Te 132.1

Offer Something Better—Don’t Attack—It is of little use to try to reform others by attacking what we may regard as wrong habits. Such effort often results in more harm than good. In His talk with the Samaritan woman, instead of disparaging Jacob’s well, Christ presented something better. “If thou knewest the gift of God,” He said, “and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldst have asked of Him, and He would have given thee living water.” John 4:10. He turned the conversation to the treasure He had to bestow, offering the woman something better than she possessed, even living water, the joy and hope of the gospel. This is an illustration of the way in which we are to work. We must offer men something better than that which they possess, even the peace of Christ, which passeth all understanding. We must tell them of God’s holy law, the transcript of His character, and an expression of that which He wishes them to become. Show them how infinitely superior to the fleeting joys and pleasures of the world is the imperishable glory of heaven. Tell them of the freedom and rest to be found in the Saviour. “Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst” (verse 14), He declared.

The Ministry of Healing

Self-Supporting Missionaries

MH 156.4

It is of little use to try to reform others by attacking what we may regard as wrong habits. Such effort often results in more harm than good. In His talk with the Samaritan woman, instead of disparaging Jacob’s well, Christ presented something better. “If thou knewest the gift of God,” He said, “and who it is that saith to thee, Give Me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of Him, and He would have given thee living water.” John 4:10. He turned the conversation to the treasure He had to bestow, offering the woman something better than she possessed, even living water, the joy and hope of the gospel.

MH 157.1

This is an illustration of the way in which we are to work. We must offer men something better than that which they possess, even the peace of Christ, which passeth all understanding. We must tell them of God’s holy law, the transcript of His character, and an expression of that which He wishes them to become. Show them how infinitely superior to the fleeting joys and pleasures of the world is the imperishable glory of heaven. Tell them of the freedom and rest to be found in the Saviour. “Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst,” He declared. Verse 14.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 14 (1899)

Lt 200, 1899

14LtMs, Lt 200, 1899, par. 8

To the woman of Samaria Christ said, “If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink, thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water. The woman said unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from when then hast thou that living water? ... Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever shall drink of this water shall thirst again, but whosoever shall drink of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst: but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water, springing up unto everlasting life.” [John 4:10, 11, 13, 14.]

Counsels to Writers and Editors

Chapter 1—The Object of Our Publications

CW 12.3

The editors of our periodicals, the teachers in our schools, the presidents of our conferences, all need to drink of the pure streams of the river of the water of life. All need to understand more fully the words spoken by our Lord to the Samaritan woman: “If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give Me to drink; thou wouldst have asked of Him, and He would have given thee living water.... Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” John 4:10-14....

Testimonies for the Church, vol. 7

Personal Experience Needed by Workers

7T 152.2

The editors of our periodicals, the teachers in our schools, the presidents of our conferences, all need to drink of the pure streams of the river of the water of life. All need to understand more fully the words spoken by our Lord to the Samaritan woman: “If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give Me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of Him, and He would have given thee living water.... Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” John 4:10-14.

Testimonies for the Church, vol. 6

Praise Meetings

6T 64.1

Such a testimony will have an influence upon others. As we seek to turn men from their self-indulgent efforts to secure happiness, we must show them that we have something better than that which they are seeking. When Jesus talked with the Samaritan woman, He did not reprove her for coming to draw from Jacob’s well, but He presented something of far greater value. In comparison with Jacob’s well He presented the fountain of living waters. “If thou knewest the gift of God,” He said, “and who it is that saith to thee, Give Me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of Him, and He would have given thee living water.... Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” John 4:10-14.

That I May Know Him

Repeating Christ’s Invitation, November 27

TMK 337.3

Those who are of a contrite heart will receive the message of heaven, and will voice the words of the angel. This is the work of all who have heard the divine invitation. Jesus said to the woman of Samaria what He says to us all, “If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.... But the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life” (John 4:10-14).

Ye Shall Receive Power

Neither Excitement Nor Sensationalism, November 15

YRP 328.3

The Holy Spirit is promised to all who will ask for it. When you search the Scriptures, the Holy Spirit is by your side, personating Jesus Christ. The truth is a living principle made to shine in precious clearness to the understanding, and then, oh, then, it is time to speak words from the living Christ. “We are labourers together with God” (1 Corinthians 3:9). Christ said to the woman of Samaria, “If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.... A well of water springing up into everlasting life” (John 4:10-14).

Testimony Treasures, vol. 3

Personal Experience Needed By Workers

3TT 153.1

The editors of our periodicals, the teachers in our schools, the presidents of our conferences, all need to drink of the pure streams of the river of the water of life. All need to understand more fully the words spoken by our Lord to the Samaritan woman: “If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give Me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of Him, and He would have given thee living water. ... Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” John 4:10-14.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 10 (1895)

Ms 72, 1895

10LtMs, Ms 72, 1895, par. 26

Christ said to the Samaritan woman, “If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water. The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water? ... Jesus saith unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall never thirst again; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” [John 4:10-14.] He used Jacob’s well as a parable to represent the Fountain of Life to the close of time.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 15 (1900)

Ms 27, 1900

15LtMs, Ms 27, 1900, par. 10

“The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep; from whence then hast thou that living water? Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle? Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever shall drink of this water shall thirst again; but whosoever shall drink of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water, springing up into everlasting life.” [John 4:10-14.]

15LtMs, Ms 27, 1900, par. 12

“If ye love me,” Christ says, “keep my commandments.” [John 14:15.] “He that willeth to do his will shall know of the doctrine.” [John 7:17.] He shall indeed know, not uncertainly, but with a knowledge that makes the soul brave and courageous, anxious to sow the seed of truth and reap the harvest. This work is the source of elevated, holy, and constantly refreshing joy. “The water that I shall give him,” Christ declares, “shall be in him a well of water, springing up into everlasting life.” [John 4:14.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 16 (1901)

Ms 91, 1901

16LtMs, Ms 91, 1901, par. 24

Christ said to the woman of Samaria, “If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.” [John 4:10.] This Samaritan woman nearly lost her opportunity to learn of Jesus, but she began to feel after the truth, and just as soon as its value dawned upon her—even before she fully comprehended it—forgetting that she had come to the well for water, she left her water pot and hastened to tell others what she had learned. “Come,” she said, and “see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?” [Verse 29.] Many believed her words and went to the well to meet Christ. He had an opportunity to give them the living water, and many souls came to a knowledge of the truth.

16LtMs, Ms 91, 1901, par. 25

Too often we fail to draw our strength from Christ. He is saying to us, “If you had asked of me, I should have given you the living water, which would have been in you a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” [See verses 10, 14.] Christ in the soul is as a well of water springing up into everlasting life. When preaching on science, a minister in Australia said that “Christ in His day must have known something about science.” What a statement for a minister of the gospel to make! When I heard what he said, I was astonished, for I knew that all the science that is of any value has been given to humanity by Jesus Christ. Christ is Himself the Door to all truth. In Him “are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” [Colossians 2:3.] Although He could have astonished the world with the most startling revelations of science which would have occupied the minds of men till He should come the second time, yet this was not His mission. Had He placed before human minds a rich feast of science, it would have been used to gratify unholy ambition.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 16 (1901)

Lt 155, 1901

16LtMs, Lt 155, 1901, par. 2

Christ said to His disciples: “Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal; that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.” [John 4:35, 36.]

16LtMs, Lt 155, 1901, par. 8

To the woman at the well Christ said, “If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink, thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.” Interpreting this to mean water from Jacob’s well, the woman replied, “Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep; from whence then hast thou that living water?” [John 4:10, 11.] She could not discern the meaning of the Saviour’s words. Not less blind are many of those in positions of sacred trust. The Lord has been giving His people light from heaven—the most precious truths ever given to the world. Those in our offices of publication have been handling the truths represented by Christ as living water; but they have neglected to drink of this water or to present it to others. If they had appreciated these truths, they would not have lost their sense of the purity and nobility and sacredness of God’s principles.

16LtMs, Lt 155, 1901, par. 9

The woman asked Christ, “Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle? Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again; but whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water, springing up into everlasting life.” [Verses 12-14.] He told her that there is something to be prized more highly than the water of Jacob’s well on which she placed such great value. The Holy Spirit purifies, refreshes, and invigorates the soul. But one draft is not enough. We are to drink constantly of the water of life. Then we shall be satisfied, for the water which Christ gives springs up in the soul unto everlasting life.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 2 (1869 - 1875)

Lt 3, 1873

2LtMs, Lt 3, 1873, par. 7

Let not your studies make you forgetful of God. Everything should be secondary to our eternal interest. As the body needs daily food that it may be healthful and strong, the soul needs spiritual food that it may be nourished and strengthened daily for duty and trial. There is no happiness in that man’s heart whose hopes, sympathies, joys and life reach no higher than this world. Real happiness is only realized by those who hunger for the bread of life and who thirst for the water of life and drink freely of it. Upon kings and nobles, the most exalted and the most wealthy, there is written “wanting.” Their earthly treasures cannot take the place of heavenly peace and joy. They may be content with gold and earthly treasures, yet Christ says to such, “Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again.” [John 4:13.]

2LtMs, Lt 3, 1873, par. 8

The skeptic and atheist may apparently be unconcerned and happy, but the eye of faith discerns written upon such, “wanting.” There is unrest. They are drifting to sea without a compass or anchor. Upon the Saviour, the Bible truth and real religion, the eye of faith can discern the sequel of the precious words of Christ. “But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” John 4:14. You must drink freely of the bread and water of life if you would have strength and grace and flourish in the Lord.

My Life Today

Water, May 15

ML 139.1

Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: but whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. John 4:13, 14.

Reflecting Christ

Christ’s Love Is a Satisfying Fountain, April 5

RC 109.1

Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst. John 4:14.

RC 109.2

What said Christ to the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well? ... “Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: but whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life” (John 4:13, 14).

The Story of Jesus

Chapter 9—Early Ministry

SJ 55.1

“Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: but whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” John 4:13, 14. By the living water is meant the Holy Spirit. As a thirsty traveler needs water to drink, so do we need God’s Spirit in our hearts. He who drinks of this water shall never thirst.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 8 (1893)

Ms 78, 1893

8LtMs, Ms 78, 1893, par. 64

The ever-flowing fountain called to our minds the words of Christ to the woman of Samaria, “Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: but whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up unto everlasting life.” John 4:13, 14. We were drinking of the water that would quench our present thirst, but we were thankful that we were also drinking of the water which Christ was giving us to satisfy our spiritual thirst, which was as a well of water springing up unto everlasting life. We were on this journey to impart the water of life to thirsty souls who would realize the symbol of this ever-flowing water that was so rich a blessing to satisfy the temporal necessities of both man and beast.

A Call To Stand Apart

Chapter 11—Grand Resurrection

CSA 44.3

To the believer, Christ is the resurrection and the life. In our Saviour the life that was lost through sin is restored; for He has life in Himself to quicken whom He will. He is invested with the right to give immortality. The life that He laid down in humanity, He takes up again, and gives to humanity. “I am come,” He said, “that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”“Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” “Whoso eateth My flesh, and drinketh My blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.” John 10:10; 4:14; 6:54.

Manuscript Releases, vol. 7 [Nos. 419-525]

MR No. 518—Team Ministry

7MR 391.1

The Lord has a people in our churches in America, and they have become, some of them, discouraged and confused. But talk the truth. The third angel’s message is to go forth with power, and will pierce the moral darkness black as velvet.... Walk with Jesus, talk with Jesus, and then you have light and comfort and love and power from your best Friend. Oh, it is such a privilege: “Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” (John 4:14.) We need more faith. The bright beams of the Sun of Righteousness will disperse every dark cloud. May the Lord Jesus abundantly bless you, my brother and my sister. I miss you very much; but remain until your work is done; then we will welcome you back again, for there is a large work for you to do. How comforting it is to know that we do not need to stumble our way along in midnight darkness. Light is sown for the righteous, and truth and gladness for the upright in heart.—Letter 218, 1899, p. 4. (To S. N. Haskell and wife, November 29, 1899.)

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 16 (1901)

Lt 73, 1901

16LtMs, Lt 73, 1901, par. 13

Let those who have been baptized be true to the vow they have made. “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things that are above, where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God.” [Colossians 3:1.] “You cannot serve God and mammon.” [Matthew 6:24.] “If God be God, follow Him; if Baal, then follow him.” [1 Kings 18:21.] No one is compelled to serve God. The full results of a man’s choice rest upon himself; for he chooses of his own free will. Let him remember that if he chooses the principles of God, respecting and maintaining them, they become a part of his life, moulding him according to the divine similitude. They are “in him a well of water, springing up into everlasting life.” [John 4:14.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 17 (1902)

Ms 99, 1902

17LtMs, Ms 99, 1902, par. 32

We are living in the time of the Holy Spirit’s power. It is seeking to diffuse itself through the agency of humanity, thus increasing its influence in the world. “If any man drink of the water of life, it will be in him a well of water, springing up unto everlasting life;” and the blessing will not be confined to himself, but will be shared by others. [John 4:14.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 17 (1902)

Ms 60, 1902

17LtMs, Ms 60, 1902, par. 44

Not long since, Christ had pointed a Samaritan to the water of life. “Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give Him,” He had said, “shall never thirst.” [John 4:14.] But now it is not merely one whom He is inviting. The temple courts were crowded as Jesus suddenly lifted up His voice on “that great day of the Feast,” and said: “If any man thirst, let him come unto Me, ... as the Scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.” [John 7:37, 38.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 19 (1904)

Lt 363, 1904

19LtMs, Lt 363, 1904, par. 9

“Whosoever eateth My flesh and drinketh My blood hath eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.” [John 6:54.] “Whosoever drinketh that water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water, springing up unto everlasting life.” [John 4:14.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 20 (1905)

Lt 73, 1905

20LtMs, Lt 73, 1905, par. 11

I was glad to get the copy of the article taken from the Outlook. I was greatly pleased with most of it. It will be a means of good, I am sure. As I read the article, I felt so thankful that such words could be spoken of the sanitarium and its workers. Let us thank the Lord and praise His holy name, and let everything connected with the sanitarium give character to the truth for this time. As you strive to do this, Christ will be in you “a well of water, springing up unto everlasting life.” [John 4:14.] You will be daily refreshed by the streams of His salvation, and you will be a source of refreshing to those around you; for from you will flow “rivers of living water.” [John 7:38.] The beauty of holiness will be seen in your life; for the comeliness of Christ will be put upon you.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 22 (1907)

Lt 44, 1907

22LtMs, Lt 44, 1907, par. 24

The richest blessings are for you and all others who preach the Word. But we must ever remember the words, “Ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.” [Colossians 3:3.] The Saviour promises to satisfy the most urgent needs of the soul. He promises: “The water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water, springing up into everlasting life.” [John 4:14.] You need to be converted every day in order to be a vessel unto honor, one who can teach others. Do not make a mistake. Your soul is precious, and Christ will save you, if you will be saved by purifying your soul through obedience to the truth.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 22 (1907)

Lt 82, 1907

22LtMs, Lt 82, 1907, par. 10

Last Sabbath night, March 2, I heard the voice of One giving instruction. He said, “Whoso eateth My flesh and drinketh My blood hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.” [John 6:54.] “Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up unto everlasting life.” [John 4:14.]

Jesus, Name Above All Names

Fountain of Blessing, April 7

JNN 107.1

“But whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst.”—John 4:14

Manuscript Releases, vol. 13 [Nos. 1000-1080]

MR No. 1023—A Warning Against Doctrinal Errors Issuing from Battle Creek; Counsel to Live Victoriously in the Home

13MR 165.2

The richest blessings are for you and all others who preach the Word. But we must ever remember the words, “Ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God” [Colossians 3:3]. The Saviour promises to satisfy the most urgent needs of the soul. He promises, “The water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life” [John 4:14]. You need to be converted every day in order to be a vessel unto honor, one who can teach others. Do not make a mistake. Your soul is precious, and Christ will save you if you will be saved by purifying your soul through obedience to the truth.—Letter 44, 1907. (Written February 4, 1907, from Sanitarium, California, to Elder L. C. Sheafe.)

Manuscript Releases, vol. 21 [Nos. 1501-1598]

MR No. 1575—A Description of Christ’s Return and the Final Judgment; An Appeal for Faithful Stewardship and Witnessing

21MR 347.3

The divine antidote for the sin of the whole world is contained in the gospel of St. John. There is found a recipe for all the maladies of the soul. “Whoso eateth My flesh and drinketh My blood,” Christ declares, “hath eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.” He may die, as Christ died, but the life of the Saviour is in him; his life is hid with Christ in God. “I am come that they might have life,” Jesus said, “and that they might have it more abundantly.” Again He said, “Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water, springing up into everlasting life” [John 4:14]. “This spake He of the Spirit, which they that believe on Him should receive” [John 7:39]. Christ carries on the great process by which believers become one with Him in this present life and are one with Him in life eternal.

My Life Today

Give Men and Women the Water of Life, August 11

ML 227.1

Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. John 4:14.

Our Father Cares

Give Others the Water of Life, February 17

OFC 59.1

Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. John 4:14.

Our High Calling

The Time of the Spirit’s Power, May 29

OHC 155.3

We are living in the time of the Holy Spirit’s power. It is seeking to diffuse itself through the agency of humanity, thus increasing its influence in the world. For if any man drinks of the water of life, it will be in him “a well of water springing up into everlasting life” (John 4:14); and the blessing will not be confined to himself, but will be shared by others....

Patriarchs and Prophets

Chapter 19—The Return to Canaan

PP 204.1

Crossing the Jordan, “Jacob came in peace to the city of Shechem, which is in the land of Canaan.” Genesis 33:18, R.V. Thus the patriarch’s prayer at Bethel, that God would bring him again in peace to his own land, had been granted. For a time he dwelt in the vale of Shechem. It was here that Abraham, more than a hundred years before, had made his first encampment and erected his first altar in the Land of Promise. Here Jacob “bought the parcel of ground where he had spread his tent, at the hand of the children of Hamor, Shechem’s father, for a hundred pieces of money. And he erected there an altar, and called it El-elohe-Israel” (verses 19, 20)—“God, the God of Israel.” Like Abraham, Jacob set up beside his tent an altar unto the Lord, calling the members of his household to the morning and the evening sacrifice. It was here also that he dug the well to which, seventeen centuries later, came Jacob’s Son and Saviour, and beside which, resting during the noontide heat, He told His wondering hearers of that “well of water springing up into everlasting life.” John 4:14.

Patriarchs and Prophets

Chapter 37—The Smitten Rock

PP 412.3

The same figure Christ had employed in His conversation with the woman of Samaria at Jacob’s well: “Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” John 4:14. Christ combines the two types. He is the rock, He is the living water.

Prayer

Chapter 11—Answered Prayer

Pr 98.1

Prayers of Child-Like Simplicity and Faith Will Be Answered—“If any man thirst, let him come unto Me, and drink.” “Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” John 7:37; John 4:14.

Counsels on Health

Promising Youth to Be Selected

CH 507.1

Workers are needed now. As a people, we are not doing one fiftieth of what we might do as active missionaries. If we were only vitalized by the Holy Spirit, there would be a hundred missionaries where there is now one. But where are the missionaries? Has not the truth for this time power to stir the souls of those who claim to believe it? When there is a call to labor, why should there be so many voices to say, “I pray thee, have me excused”? In this country the standard of truth is to be established and exalted. There is great need of workers, and there are many ways in which they can labor. There is work for those in the higher as well as in the more humble positions.... Individually all need a heart work. A good work cannot be done by the human agent alone. For the full development and efficiency of the intellectual as well as the spiritual powers, there is, there must be, a vital connection with God, a communion with the highest source of activity. Then with the soul all aglow with zeal for the Master, we can be a blessing to others. Jesus said, “Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” John 4:14. Those who become partakers of the grace of Christ will guide others to the living stream.

Selected Messages Book 1

Chapter 44—The Risen Saviour

1SM 302.2

Christ was invested with the right to give immortality. The life which He had laid down in humanity, He again took up and gave to humanity. “I am come,” He says, “that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). “Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day” (John 6:54). “Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life” (John 4:14).

Testimonies for the Church, vol. 9

Chapter 18—Unity Among Different Nationalities

9T 179.1

“If any man thirst, let him come unto Me, and drink.” “Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” John 7:37; 4:14.

The Desire of Ages

Chapter 81—“The Lord Is Risen”

DA 786.4

To the believer, Christ is the resurrection and the life. In our Saviour the life that was lost through sin is restored; for He has life in Himself to quicken whom He will. He is invested with the right to give immortality. The life that He laid down in humanity, He takes up again, and gives to humanity. “I am come,” He said, “that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” “Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” “Whoso eateth My flesh, and drinketh My blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.” John 10:10; 4:14; 6:54.

The Faith I Live By

A Wellspring of Life, April 3

FLB 99.1

But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. John 4:14.

The Faith I Live By

When Eternal Life Begins, June 30

FLB 187.6

Jesus is ... crying, “If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.” “Let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” “Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” John 7:37; Revelation 22:17; John 4:14.90The Desire of Ages, 454.

The Sanctified Life

Chapter 8—The Ministry of John

SL 61.1

The apostle John passed his early life in the society of the uncultivated fishermen of Galilee. He did not enjoy the training of the schools; but by association with Christ, the Great Teacher, he obtained the highest education which mortal man can receive. He drank eagerly at the fountain of wisdom, and then sought to lead others to that “well of water springing up into everlasting life” (John 4:14). The simplicity of his words, the sublime power of the truths he uttered, and the spiritual fervor that characterized his teachings gave him access to all classes. Yet even believers were unable to fully comprehend the sacred mysteries of divine truth unfolded in his discourses. He seemed to be constantly imbued with the Holy Spirit. He sought to bring the thoughts of the people up to grasp the unseen. The wisdom with which he spoke, caused his words to drop as the dew, softening and subduing the soul.

Education

Chapter 8—The Teacher Sent From God

Ed 83.6

Behold, He is still inviting: “If any man thirst, let him come unto Me, and drink. He that believeth on Me, as the Scripture hath said,” out of him “shall flow rivers of living water.” “The water that I shall give him shall become in him a well of water springing up unto eternal life.” John 7:37, 38; 4:14, R.V.

The Upward Look

Think Trust, Not Trouble, October 27

UL 314.7

There is a work to be done by the Holy Spirit in the heart; when this is accomplished, bitter tears will no longer flow forth, but the promise will be fulfilled, “The water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life” (John 4:14). You can stand only in God. When the heart is reconciled to God, the fact will be made manifest in your association with your brethren. It will be seen that Christ is abiding in the soul temple.—Letter 10, October 27, 1894, to an evangelist working in Australia.

This Day With God

Let Christ Be Your Light, November 14

TDG 327.1

Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. John 4:14.

Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing

“Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.”—Matthew 5:6.

MB 20.2

Jesus said, “The water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” John 4:14. As the Holy Spirit opens to you the truth you will treasure up the most precious experiences and will long to speak to others of the comforting things that have been revealed to you. When brought into association with them you will communicate some fresh thought in regard to the character or the work of Christ. You will have some fresh revelation of His pitying love to impart to those who love Him and to those who love Him not.

Ye Shall Receive Power

Living Water to Be Shared, January 11

YRP 19.1

But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. John 4:14.

Ye Shall Receive Power

Purity, March 23

YRP 91.3

The Spirit that reveals also works in him the fruits of righteousness. Christ is in him “a well of water springing up into everlasting life” (John 4:14). He is a branch of the True Vine, and bears rich clusters of fruit to the glory of God. What is the character of the fruit borne? “The fruit of the Spirit is love.” Mark the words—love, not hatred; it is joy, not discontent and mourning; peace, not irritation, anxiety, and manufactured trials. It is “longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law” (Galatians 5:22, 23).

Testimonies for the Church Regarding the Spirit of Unity

Chapter 1—Unity Among Different Nationalities

SpTB04 3.1

“If any man thirst, let him come unto Me, and drink.” “Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” John 7:37; 4:14.

Historical Sketches of the Foreign Missions of the Seventh-day Adventists

Unity Among Different Nationalities

HS 136.2

“If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.” “Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” John 7:37; 4:14.

Testimony Treasures, vol. 2

Reflecting God’s Glory

2TT 327.2

As the plan of redemption begins and ends with a gift so it is to be carried forward. The same spirit of sacrifice which purchased salvation for us will dwell in the hearts of all who become partakers of the heavenly gift. Says the apostle Peter: “As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” 1 Peter 4:10. Said Jesus to His disciples as He sent them forth: “Freely ye have received, freely give.” Matthew 10:8. In him who is fully in sympathy with Christ there can be nothing selfish or exclusive. He who drinks of the living water will find that it is “in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” John 4:14. The Spirit of Christ within him is like a spring welling up in the desert, flowing to refresh all, and making those who are ready to perish, eager to drink of the water of life. It was the same spirit of love and self-sacrifice which dwelt in Christ that impelled the apostle Paul to his manifold labors. “I am debtor,” he says, “both to the Greeks, and to the barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise.” Romans 1:14. “Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ.” Ephesians 3:8.

Testimony Treasures, vol. 3

Unity Among Different Nationalities

3TT 378.1

“If any man thirst, let him come unto Me, and drink.” “Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” John 7:37; John 4:14.

God’s Amazing Grace

Gives Life to the Soul, April 21

AG 119.1

Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. John 4:14.

Testimony Treasures, vol. 1

Vain Thoughts

1TT 301.1

In order to answer life’s great ends you must avoid the example of those who are seeking for their own pleasure and enjoyment, and who have not the fear of God before them. God has made provisions for you that are ample. He has provided that if you comply with the conditions laid down in His word, and separate from the world, you may receive strength from Him to repress every debasing influence and to develop that which is noble, good, and elevating. Christ will be in you “a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” John 4:14. The will, the intellect, and every emotion, when controlled by religion, have a transforming power.

From Eternity Past

Chapter 19—Jacob Comes Home

EP 133.1

Crossing the Jordan, “Jacob came in peace to the city of Shechem, which is in the land of Canaan.” Here he “bought the parcel of ground, where he had spread his tent, at the hand of the children of Hamor, Shechem’s father, for a hundred pieces of money. And he erected there an altar.” It was here also that he dug the well to which, seventeen centuries later, came Jacob’s Son and Saviour, and beside which, resting during the noontide heat, He told His wondering hearers of that “well of water springing up into everlasting life.” John 4:14.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 4 (1883 - 1886)

Ms 5, 1886

4LtMs, Ms 5, 1886, par. 6

If we are indeed the privileged people of God with whom He has entrusted precious truth, He would have us in that position that we can reflect that Word to the world. We would be inclined to think that these promises refer only to the preachers of the Word for the very reason that every individual member of the church does not let his light shine to the world. Every one who has been partaker of the blessing of Jesus Christ and has received the light, it is his duty to try to show others the good way. And when the Lord has thrown open before us the rich promises of heaven, then how deficient we show ourselves if we do not grasp these blessings. It is because we do not receive this light by living faith ourselves that we do not reflect it to others, for those who partake of this great salvation cannot keep it to themselves. They see a world in darkness that is perishing for want of the light that cometh from Jesus Christ, and they are not satisfied to drink once from the Fountain of life, but they are constantly drinking. Christ says, “I will be in you a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” [John 4:14.] And how is this work accomplished? It is by refreshing others with the waters that come from heaven.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 4 (1883 - 1886)

Ms 2, 1885

4LtMs, Ms 2, 1885, par. 10

Here are these outside the Saviour, and the physician—according to the light God has given me—occupies a more responsible place than even the ministers who have given themselves to preach the Word. Why is he not dealing that Christian tenderness with the sick, not only with the body, but also with the soul? When one has become a sufferer and is diseased and in darkness and does not know how to get light, is there not open before the physician an opportunity of leading the mind into light and into truth? to lean upon the strong arm of power, the infinite One? Has he not an opportunity which the minister has not of presenting Jesus Christ to them? Is not the physician a dealer with the mind? Have they not an opportunity to open to them the fountain of life? can they not present Christ to them? If any one is lost, let them come in time and drink. “I am,” He says, “a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” [John 4:14.] Ought you not to feel the burden that rests upon you who are connected with these institutions?

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 4 (1883 - 1886)

Lt 23, 1885

4LtMs, Lt 23, 1885, par. 37

I went into the early morning meeting. I engaged in prayer, and my burden was for a special blessing upon the laborers, that they might be fitted up for the great work before us. I bore my testimony in regard to coming up to our high privilege. I presented before them the words of Christ, “If any man thirst, let him come unto Me, and drink,” the promise is, “The water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” [John 7:37; 4:14.] I was afraid the meeting would close and we fail to receive all the good that the Lord has in store for us.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 5 (1887-1888)

Ms 19, 1888

5LtMs, Ms 19, 1888, par. 6

Christ said, “I will be in you a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” [John 4:14.] And how is this constant springing up accomplished? By receiving a continual supply, they refresh others. There is not one person in our midst, having reasoning faculties, who is excused from coming to Christ and bringing others with him.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 6 (1889-1890)

Ms 21, 1889

6LtMs, Ms 21, 1889, par. 25

“Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst.” John 4:14. We have reason to understand that the Lord is working for His people who keep His commandments, for He has promised to be their helper. We must take everything to the Lord in prayer if we would understand His way, and then work just as hard as we can to accomplish the work, and be assured that the Lord will work with us. We want the fear of the Lord ever before us, and to inquire at every step, “Is this the way of the Lord?”

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 6 (1889-1890)

Ms 3, 1890

6LtMs, Ms 3, 1890, par. 3

Such a one has faith that works by love and purifies the soul from every moral and spiritual defilement. The Holy Spirit, the Comforter, can work upon the heart, influencing, directing, so that he enjoys spiritual things. He is “after the Spirit,” and he minds the things of the Spirit. [Romans 8:5.] He has no confidence in self. Christ is all and in all. Truth is being constantly unfolded by the Holy Spirit; he receives with meekness the engrafted Word, and he gives the Lord all the glory, saying, “God hath revealed them to us by his Spirit.” “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God; that we might know the things which are freely given to us of God.” [1 Corinthians 2:10, 12.] The Spirit that reveals also works in him the fruits of righteousness. Christ is in him “a well of water, springing up into everlasting life.” [John 4:14.] He is a branch of the True Vine and bears rich clusters of fruit to the glory of God. What is the character of the fruit? “The fruit of the Spirit is love.” Mark the word—love, not hatred; it is joy, not discontent and mourning; peace, not irritation, anxiety, and manufactured trials; it is “long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” Galatians 5:22, 23