Re: Start — To be refreshed
Erick du Toit
May 29, 2021
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John 7: 37-39 (NIVUK)
37 On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, ‘Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.’ 39 By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.
Not only is Jesus the bread of life, but he is also the thirst-quencher.
This imagery truly came to life when I dove deeper into the context and circumstances surrounding Jesus’ invitation.
It takes place during the Feast of Tabernacles, the third of three great pilgrimage festivals that Jewish males are required to observe. It celebrates the harvest of grapes and olives towards the end of September.
During the first 6 days a priest would march in procession to the Pool of Siloam where he would fill a golden vessel with water, take it back to the temple and poor it on the altar as an offering. This would recall the water from the rock that sustained the Ancient Israelites as well as the rains that sustained them in the year just passed. On the last day of the festival, however, they did not observe the water ritual.
For a week, the people have been celebrating the gift of water that God has provided for their physical sustenance. Now, Jesus is telling them that he can satisfy their spiritual thirst.
On a day when no water flows, a dry day, the promise to satisfy their thirst takes on added impact.
Not only will they be nourished and fulfilled but they will overflow: ‘steams of living water will flow from within.’
Maybe you’re that kind of person or you know someone like that. Wherever they go, there’s laughter and joy and excitement. Something to be grateful for. When they enter a room, you can expect their presence to lift the mood instantaneously.
Or maybe they’re justice-warriors endeavouring to fight fires caused by inequality and discrimination.
Whatever circumstances, they’re willing to be poured out completely, for their source can never run dry.
PRAYER:
Well of water that never runs dry,
You are my only source of hope,
Wash me, cleanse me, purify me,
And re-store my strength,
To better serve your people and lands.
Amen.
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