A universal need, an everlasting offer, a basic to sustain all of us
By Dean Collins
What do you do when there is a lot going on in your life? I imagine I am not the only one who is trying to juggle multiple agendas: family, work, plans for the future, local community issues, church, health, ministry, and on and on. And of course, if you are a person of faith you want to manage all of these moments in ways that demonstrate your surrender to Christ and willingness to participate in extending his kingdom.
Thirsty?
In some ways, that is similar to the context for today’s Scripture reading. While reading the seventh chapter of John I was riveted by just three verses quoting Jesus when he spoke to the crowd in Jerusalem (and to us, too): “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ’Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’”
Most of us do not ever experience a lack of drinking water. If we are thirsty we simply head to the kitchen, a water cooler, or the next interstate exit and enjoy a drink of water. But in ancient times, getting water was not as convenient. While our water tables are impacted by rainfall, usually a scarcity of water causes little more than some water restrictions on sprinkling our yards or washing our cars. But in the time of Jesus and in many parts of the world today, a lack of rain, especially in barren or wilderness settings, can be deadly.
Source?
Jesus’ comments came on the last day of one of the three great feasts that were annually celebrated by the Jewish community. The Feast of Tabernacles was celebrated at harvest time in the fall of the year. It included a ceremony that involved the priests going to the pool of Siloam and using golden pitchers to draw water they would carry through the crowds and then pour over the altar. This celebration reminded the people of God’s provision of water in the wilderness while they were traveling from Egypt to the Promised Land.
Jesus used this moment in the feast to announce that belief in him would result in both receiving living water but also becoming a container to take living water to others. The Gospel writer, John, helps us interpret Jesus’ words by reminding us the Holy Spirit had yet to come upon all believers. That would occur on the day of Pentecost and afterward when the Holy Spirit would fill believers.
Empty?
When we have a lot going on in our lives, it is easy to forget the basics. Has anyone besides me worked through lunch, forgotten to eat, and then wondered at 3 in the afternoon why they were hungry or tired? Even when our business is filled with all good things, we can slip into forgetfulness or, worse, into believing we can do it all and don’t need anyone to help us. Eventually, one will find themselves tired, hungry, and thirsty, and not just for the basics of rest, food, and water.
Our self-determination can lead us to an emptiness of spiritual resources as well. And while staying in community with other believers is helpful, even vital, only the Holy Spirit can fill us with living water to nourish, sustain, and allow others to see living water flow through us.
The psalmist offered the deer panting for water as the picture of the posture that allows us to receive the living water that comes to us through God’s Spirit.
Today?
Those who heard Jesus’ invitation that day would well remember the prophet Zechariah who spoke of a day that would come to Jerusalem. Some in the crowd may have wondered if this was that day the prophet mentioned centuries earlier. In a way it was, and in another, it spoke of that day when Jesus would return to earth and gather all people to the eternal spring of water that flows in Heaven.
The good news for us is that on any day at any moment, Jesus invites us to drink from the eternal spring of resources available to us by and through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us. All it takes is for us to surrender our control, admit our need, and allow the Holy Spirit to bring refreshment and nourishment to our souls.
Lord, we thank you for sending us the Holy Spirit so we might drink freely of the springs of spiritual life that flow from and through Jesus. We lift up our hands in prayer, asking you to fill us again so that we might be filled and used to bring your life to others in need. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Your time with God’s Word
John 7:37-52; Psalm 42:1-2; Zechariah 14:7-9, 16; Revelation 22:17 ESV
Photo by Andrew Ren on Unsplash
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