Saturday, December 17
Let it flow
Scripture: Micah 3-4, Proverbs 29, John 7
John 7:37–39 On the last and most important day of the festival, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. 38 The one who believes in me, as the Scripture has said, will have streams of living water flow from deep within him.” 39 He said this about the Spirit. Those who believed in Jesus were going to receive the Spirit, for the Spirit had not yet been given because Jesus had not yet been glorified.
Observation
There are so many good things in today’s reading, yet this one rises far above them all! Jesus makes this stunning claim on the last day of the Festival of Booths.
The Festival of Booths celebrated both history and harvest: the history of Israel’s journey through the wilderness during which they lived in temporary shelters, and God’s bountiful provision in their harvests. On the final day there was a beautiful ceremony that thanked God for His provision of water in the wilderness and water for their harvests.
It was then that Jesus stood up and called, “If you’re thirsty, come to me and drink. Believe in me and streams of living water will flow!” It’s a startling statement. First, Jesus makes Himself the issue. Come to Me. Believe in Me. Second, Jesus promises to satisfy us. I will give you living water; I will satisfy your thirst.
The verbs are all present tense, signifying ongoing activity, rather than one time. Keep coming, drinking and believing.
Application
Here is another example of why Jesus cannot be just a good teacher. He made these astonishing claims about Himself which either are or are not true. If they are not true, He is either a deliberate deceiver or was deceived Himself—a megalomaniac. If I said these same things, I would be mocked or locked up as deluded or a deceiver! Who is this man who calls us to Himself and promises living water—eternal life?
The practical challenge is to keep coming, keep drinking, keep believing moment by moment, day by day. It is a call to relationship. We don’t come to Jesus just once—it’s not one and done—it’s every day. It’s daily relationship, daily drinking in His presence and promises and goodness, daily trusting in Him.
The wonderful promise is the gift of the Spirit—His presence in us will be living water that not only satisfies our thirst, but flows out of us to everyone around. It’s an amazing picture of abundance of life! Jesus promised us abundant life, life to the full (John 10:10)—so much life that you have plenty for yourself and plenty to give away to others. Imagine having all you need…and so much more that you can give and give and give to others! Let it flow!
Prayer: Jesus, I love You! Thank You for this remarkable promise. Pour out Your Spirit in me. Be a stream of living water within me, satisfying me and everyone around me. Let Your abundance overflow from me naturally!