May 4, 2023
The Need for Spiritual Water
“Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, ‘If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’ But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive; for the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.” John 7:37-39 (NASB)
My mom is one of the most stubborn people in world when it comes to drinking water. I can explain the need to stay hydrated, and she will show me a small 4-ounce glass and say, “I’ve drank enough today. This is plenty.” In her defense, she has never been a big water drinker over the course of her lifetime. Now as she ages, she is beginning to realize the need for water. I think most of it stemmed from doctor’s appointments. She won’t openly admit it, but deep down I think she knows. Last year during an outdoor event, she had to be rushed to the hospital. Why? Dehydration. She told me later she didn’t feel thirsty, as the nurses injected fluids into her arm. The same is true for mankind. We are thirsty for something. We just don’t know what. Jesus knows. Jesus gave the invitation “to all to come Me and drink.” If they don’t understand the need of their soul, He is going to explain why they need it. And “All” need it.
Jesus told the Jews, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.” John MacArthur gives a good background of the term “If anyone is thirsty.” “A tradition grew up in the few centuries before Jesus that on the 7 days of the Feast of Tabernacles, a golden container filled with water from the pool of Siloam was carried in procession by the High Priest back to the temple. As the procession came to the Watergate on the south side of the inner temple court, 3 trumpet blasts were made to mark the joy of the occasion and the people recited Isaiah 12:3, “With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.” At the temple while onlookers watched, the priests would march around the altar with the water container while the temple choir sang the Hallel (Psalm 113-118). The water was offered in sacrifice to God at the time of the morning sacrifice. The use of the water symbolized the blessing of adequate rainfall for crops. Jesus used this event as an object lesson and opportunity to make a very public invitation on the last day of the feast for His people to accept Him as the living water.”[1] Water is the life-giving force suppling life to everything. It is a fact. So is the fact mankind has the need “his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.” Jesus is the “living water” which can only be found to mankind’s “innermost being.” There is a requirement to receive it though. One must come and believe in Him. Without it, our soul will perish into an eternity without Him. Jesus is the living water; hell is the absence of living water. In fact you won’t find a drop of water in hell. It is a place of parched throats with souls begging for one drop of water (Luke 16:19-31).
As I watch my mother age, I see her beginning to drink water more often these days. She knows she needs it if she doesn’t want to visit the ER again. The most important thing though is she knows the Living Water of Life- Jesus Christ. One day, she will never have to worry about how much water she consumes. Jesus is it! He will supply her with every need. There will never be a place called the ER ever again! Receive the gift of Living Water if you haven’t today!
[1] (John MacArthur, 2006), 1596.