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, asf the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.
John 7:37-39
Rivers of Living Water–Water has a vital meaning and flow in our lives. Both literally and figuratively our experience with water is filled with lessons. Consider the humility and confidence of water as it responds to its environment and the forces around it. Some of these lessons illustrated by water include: Eternal life, Jesus talked about living water… Noah and the flood, God’s power, love, and judgment.
Drinking water is a kind of ultra practice illustrated by this daily practice. Whether you believe the recommended allowance should be eight glasses or less. Hydration reminds us that some things, like drinking water, have to be done many times a day. What other ultra–practices (things that we should do multiple times a day,) can you think of? Perhaps prayers or gratitude? While God provides, we still must play our part. Our provision and interaction with water have much to teach us. Hydration is a critical aspect of life and a metaphor Jesus uses when He illustrates the importance of his teaching saying, “Come to me all you who hunger and thirst.” What do you thirst for? To what was Jesus referring?
In another place, water in baptism is a picture of submission, submersion, and immersion. It is a reminder of the embodied commitment of new believers. The picture is of the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. It is expressed both in Christ’s example of Christ our commitment to Him. In part, this fulfills the command to take up our cross and follow Him. Water has both spiritual and physical meaning and importance in our lives. What else can you find in your life that has both an objective value and benefit to your life and also a deep spiritual meaning?
Photo by Joseph Barrientos on Unsplash