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Rivers of Living Water
In John Chapter 7, Jesus and His disciples head to the Feast of Booths. The Feast of Booths (also known as the Feast of Tabernacles) was a time when the Jews would remember God’s provision for them as they were wandering in the wilderness in the days of Moses.
When the people of God were wandering in the wilderness, they had to rely upon God to supply all of their needs. Without His direct intervention, there would be no food and no water. When they were hungry, God provided them with bread to eat called “manna.” When they were thirsty and had nothing to drink, God told Moses to strike a rock and water flowed from that rock to quench their thirst.
As the crowds in John 7 remember the Lord’s mighty deeds in the wilderness, Jesus speaks to them.
“On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, ’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.”’”
John 7:37-38, ESV
It’s easy for us to miss the claims Jesus was making here! He’s telling the crowd, “You remember how God provided for your forefathers through the rock in the wilderness? I am that rock! In fact, drink from this rock and you will never thirst again — your heart will flow with rivers of living water!”
Sometimes, we read or hear the words that Jesus said and think, “Isn’t that nice?” Yet, these words aren’t mere niceties! In fact, if Jesus wasn’t who He claimed to be, He would have been considered a lunatic or a charlatan! Jesus is claiming that He is the provision that God has made for His people. He is the answer to their cries for deliverance. He is the source of the water of life.
As you begin this week, pray and ask that Jesus would be the source of your life. Pray that His love will flow through you to those whom you encounter this week — family, colleagues, friends and strangers. Reflect on these lyrics from Bernard of Clairvaux’s great hymn, “Jesus, Thou Joy of Loving Hearts:”
Jesus, Thou joy of loving hearts,
Thou fount of life, Thou light of men,
from the best bliss that earth imparts,
we turn unfilled to Thee again.
We taste Thee, O Thou living Bread,
and long to feast upon Thee still;
we drink of Thee, the Fountain-head,
and thirst our souls from Thee to fill.
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