05.10. The Well of Bethlehem
The Well of Bethlehem
"David longed for water and said: Oh, that someone would get me a drink of water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem!" 1 Chronicles 11:17
David, like his Divine Son, knew by experience painful weariness, hunger, thirst, and lack of some place where he might lay down his head in peace. On one occasion, hiding in the cave of Adullam for fear of Saul, he craved that which would quench his burning thirst. He thought of the well from which as a shepherd lad he had often drunk, and longed for a draught of its sweet and refreshing waters. Then was it that he expressed his desire, probably never thinking for a moment of any one attempting to gratify it, "Oh, that someone would get me a drink of water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem!"
David however had staunch and brave friends, who were willing to risk even life in the service of their chief. Three of his mighty men determined, if possible, to obtain the water that he longed for. So they break through the host of the Philistines, whose garrison was at Bethlehem, and bring it to him. And now that the precious draught is obtained, David shrinks from tasting it. At such peril has it been obtained, that he regards it as the blood of his captains. So he pours it out as an offering to the Lord. "God forbid that I should do this! Should I drink the blood of these men who went at the risk of their lives?" 1 Chronicles 11:19 The well of which David would gladly have drunk, was doubtless sweet and refreshing — but there is another well of Bethlehem sweeter still. Its waters are free to all comers. There need no armed men to force the way to it. And what is that well? An incarnate Savior, a Redeemer born in Bethlehem to undo the ruin that sin had wrought, and to bring life and immortality to light. The very name of the Savior’s birth-place, Bethlehem Ephratah, suggests the mercy that He brings. Bethlehem — the house of bread; Ephratah — fruitful. Thus pointing to Christ, the fruit of the tree of life, the bread that is given for the nourishment of our souls. And so again the well at Bethlehem’s gate may speak to us of Him. It may remind us that . . .
He is come to be to mankind a well-spring of joy, hope, consolation, and peace;
He is that very Fountain of Living Water, of which whoever drinks shall live forever. And who shall fathom this deep well? What a depth of marvels in the Word made flesh and tabernacling among us! What depths in that name "Emmanuel" — "God with us! The mighty God" — and yet needing a mother’s tender care! His goings forth from everlasting — and yet an infant of days! The Heaven of heavens cannot contain Him — and yet He is wrapped in swaddling clothes! The everlasting Jehovah His Father — yet a poor Galilean maiden His mother! Many mansions in the Father’s house are at His disposal — and yet He is denied a lodging in a village inn. Worshiped by angels — and yet under the same roof with the beasts of the field. Oh, what a mystery of humility, what a mystery of condescension and love! In the sight of Bethlehem — who shall make much account of lands and houses and goods? In the sight of the baseness of Christ’s birthplace — who but must be ashamed of all self-glorying and pride?
"Who is like unto the Lord our God, who dwells on high — who humbles Himself to behold the things that are in Heaven and in earth!" But how much more may we say of Christ, even than this! Has He not humbled himself not only to behold our earth — but to dwell among us? Nor only so, but he takes the lowliest place — born of a lowly virgin, working afterwards at a lowly craft, and walking through life a companion of the lowly, a friend of publicans and sinners.
If Peter the Great of Russia was accounted worthy of double honor because for a season he forsook the throne, and for the benefit of his subjects submitted to toilsome labor and a humble position among men — then how much more shall we glory in our Immanuel who thought it not too much for our sake to descend from His glory, to take upon Him our nature, and in that nature to endure toil — yes more, to be despised, to suffer and to die! And if in this well of Bethlehem there be a depth of mystery and condescension — so likewise is there an inexhaustible spring of joy and consolation. What tidings of good ever equaled those tidings of great joy which the angel brought to the shepherds when he announced the birth of the Savior of mankind? Is it news worth hearing by those that are perishing with hunger — to know that a plentiful supply of food is within reach? Christ has come to be our living bread, to nourish our souls to everlasting life. Is it news worth hearing by those fainting in a desert for lack of water — that a fountain is near? Christ has come to be to man as the rock to Israel, that we may come to Him and drink evermore of the river of life. Is it news worth hearing by those stricken with a sore disease — that a sure remedy is found, and one near at hand who can apply it? Christ has come to be the good Physician, and with Him is there a healing balm for every sin and every sorrow. Is it news worth hearing by a criminal — that a perfect acquittal may be obtained? Christ comes freely to absolve all who believe in Him. Is it news worth hearing by one who is in the deepest poverty — that a large accession of wealth may be his? Christ comes to give the true riches to those that have nothing, to give treasures which can never waste or destroy. Is it news worth hearing by one who has fallen under the displeasure of a superior upon whom he is wholly dependent — that a way is open by which he may regain his friendship? Christ comes to be the great Peacemaker between God and man, and by Him all that will may be restored to His favor.
Yes, innumerable are the benefits which Christ comes to bestow. He comes . . .
to bind up the broken-hearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives,
to give recovery of sight to the blind,
to comfort all that mourn,
to seek and to save those who are lost,
to give His life a ransom for many,
to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons,
to save sinners, even the chief,
to save to the uttermost from guilt, wrath, and everlasting woe — such as come to God by Him,
to set them at His own right hand in the heavenly places, where they shall shine forever in the likeness of God! Who shall tell the blessedness that comes to man, through the mission and incarnation of the Son of God? Had it not been for Christ’s birth, our birth would but have opened the door to a short and troubled pilgrimage, and no bright light to dispel its gloom. But now the way of life is clear — man is redeemed, salvation is brought near, peace in Christ may be our portion on earth, glory with Christ our portion beyond. But will you not drink of these waters? Will you not partake of the grace which Jesus has brought to our world? Be not content to slake your thirst at broken cisterns. Of these to which Jeremiah refers as an emblem of vanities which cannot profit, an Eastern traveler thus writes: "There are thousands of these ancient cisterns in Upper Galilee. No comparison could more keenly rebuke the madness of the people than the expostulation of the Prophet, ’My people have committed two evils: they have forsaken Me, the Fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns, broken cisterns that can hold no water.’ The best cisterns, even those in solid rock, are strangely liable to crack, and are a most unreliable source of supply of that absolutely indispensable article, water. And if by constant care they are made to hold — yet the water, collected from clay roofs or from murky soil, has the taste of earth, is full of worms, and in the hour of greatest need, it utterly fails. Who but one gone mad would exchange the sweet, wholesome stream of a living fountain for such an uncertain compound as this?"
Reader, will you learn the lesson? Strangely does our adversary beguile us; craftily does he ever strive to substitute something else for the one abiding source of peace. It may be something that just suits the taste at a particular time; it may be something in itself both lawful and desirable; but if it is put in the place of Jesus — if the heart strongly lean upon it and trust to it — it becomes a broken cistern, which will most assuredly one day utterly fail! But if you would drink of this well, you must force your way to it in spite of any difficulties that may meet you. David’s captains were not deterred by the host of the Philistines. You must not turn back though discouragement, and doubt, and hindrance bar your way. The Eastern Magi, when they would drink of this well, had to encounter the perils of a long journey. Yet they came and drank thereof, and "rejoiced with exceeding great joy." Only persevere like them, continue in the prayerful study of Holy Scripture and in earnest supplication for Divine grace — and you too shall succeed, and your success shall prove an infinite recompense for all your toil.
Last of all, let down the pitcher of faith for a draught. Believe, and you shall rejoice. Heartily welcome the glad-tidings. Receive them as for yourself, as sent to you by your Father in Heaven — to comfort you, and to guide you through your course. Receive as for yourself the message, that in Christ, God is reconciled to you; that in Christ, you have a Brother-man, bone of our bone, and flesh of our flesh, who can sympathize and support in the darkest day of adversity; that He will completely remove the curse that attaches to your sin; that He will destroy in you the works of the destroyer by subduing all your infirmities; that He will guide your feet into the way of peace; that since He has become the Son of Man, He will make you a son of God, and a joint-heir with Himself in the everlasting kingdom.