No one has found what only Jesus offers, the fountain of life
By Dean Collins
I grew up in Tampa, Florida. This means in elementary school I studied Florida history and learned about the Spanish settlers, the Seminole Indians, and the legend of the fountain of youth. I was maybe 10 or 11 at most when I did my Florida research and learned about Ponce De Leon who was the first known European explorer to set foot on the shores of Florida. Some report he arrived in St. Augustine and others in Melbourne. Sometime about age 13 I visited the tourist attraction in St Augustine and drank from what was alleged to be the fountain of youth. It was either not the fountain or it doesn’t work. I don’t look 13. That, along with sore joints and arthritis in my right hip, suggests that all I got fromthe fountain in St Augustine was some awful tasting sulfur water that smelled like rotten eggs.
I lived in Melbourne the last few months of my 17th year and the first couple of my 18th. I went to the spot where Ponce de Leon was supposed to have landed, but I couldn’t find a youthful spring there either.
Years later I learned that several of my sources for my fourth- or fifth-grade report were not accurate. Last I checked, explorers have claimed to find the fountain of youth in several countries, and the Florida fountain was basically a tourist trap that has been around for many decades.
The fountain of LIFE
Psalm 36:9 mentions a fountain. David spoke these words long before Ponce de Leon was born and began his search: “For with you is the fountain of life.”
David gave no reference for this fountain restoring youth, but he did say that God is a fountain of life. Centuries later the apostle John prophesied about a spring of the water of life (Revelation 21) and beckons anyone who is thirsty to drink from the water of life (Revelation 22). According to John, this water is free because of Jesus: “To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment.”
Psalm 36 opens similarly to Psalm 1: “Transgression speaks to the wicked deep in his heart.” Psalm 1 calls for the righteous not to take counsel from the wicked. Yet time and time again when the shiny things sparkle before us, we will compromise principles to gain possession of what we think is valuable. Throughout history people have searched for valuable treasure. Throughout history explorers and kings have stolen and killed for treasures they deemed valuable. It seems that evil lurks wherever there is something of value. But there are no treasures worth our time or money. The things of this world fade and rust.
However, the psalmist reminds us that we have choices. Instead of settling for the things of this world and getting mixed up with the wrong crowd with flawed character and broken values, we can experience the love of God and drink from the fountain of life. According to John, it is Jesus who calls out to the thirsty and offers living water at no cost.
COME to this fountain
Ponce de Leon didn't find a fountain of life. No one else has, either. But millions have drunk from the spring of life offered and paid for by Jesus.
Sometime in my 20s while leading worship for high school and college students, I came across an artist named Tim Sheppard. I probably sang one of the songs he recorded 100 times or more at camps and conferences. I’ve found his recording; it’s old, and the style may not be to your tastes. But if you’ll listen to this old song, it will remind you to come to the fountain and taste the eternal springs that Jesus offers.
Your time with God’s Word
Psalm 36:1-12; Revelation 21:6; 22:17; Psalm 1:1-6 ESV
Photo by Kate Joie on Unsplash
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