| |
Jacob's Well. | | | |
Discourse with | | | |
Samaritan Woman, | | | |
etc. (6). | ... | ... | ... | 4:4-42
---------------------+------------+----------+-----------+--------

#TIME.#--A. D. 26 to A. D. 27.

#PLACES.#--Wilderness of Judea, Bethany beyond Jordan, Cana, Sychar,
Jerusalem, Judea.

[Illustration: JUDEAN MINISTRY
Copyright, 1898, BY JOHN D. WATTLES & CO.

The figures attached to the journeys refer to events
mentioned in the first column on the opposite page.]

The Incomparable Life (Continued)

#120. The Year of Obscurity.#--Before examining this at all, it will
be well to consider the state of national life into which the life of
the Master was projected. It was not like that which we have seen
prevailed so constantly before the captivity, for there was now among
Jews no idolatry of any kind to be found. This was a great gain.
Moreover, it was a national life under subjection to a foreign and
Gentile power. With this power the Lord had to reckon, of course. Once
more there was great reverence for the written Word, which was now
more full than it ever had been, for the Old Testament, as we have it,
was all in existence. There was to be found in every Jewish town the
synagogue, where the law was read and expounded. This institution was
an outgrowth of the captivity experience, and was most valuable. But,
alas! there was also much of formality, especially among the religious
leaders. They had so added to or explained the written law that it had
become void through the traditions of men. Much religiosity, but
little true religion, was to be found. Yet among the lowly there was
still true religion, as shown by such persons as Zacharias and
Elisabeth, Joseph and Mary, Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. Into a national
life such as is here very briefly indicated, Jesus came forth.

#121. The Baptism.#--He is introduced to us in this year, first at his
baptism (Matt. 3:13). Here we have our first foreshadowing of the
Trinity, for here the Son stands, praying, while at the same time the
Father's approving voice is heard, and the Holy Spirit descends and
rests on the Son.

#122. The Temptation.#--This is at once followed by the forty days of
temptation in the wilderness. Of this experience we are given but
three specific instances. These seem