The Coke museum in Atlanta, Georgia is a fascinating place. In additional to learning the history of one of the oldest and best-known soft drinks, visitors have the opportunity to sample a wide variety of flavors from around the world. The extreme range of flavors is a statement as to the diversity of thirsts by people worldwide. But, there is one drink guaranteed to satisfy all thirsts: "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 7:37-38)
There is a continual need to replenish our bodily water supply, but the "living water" promised by Jesus is so sufficient that it creates supply in place of thirst. No soft drink manufacturer has ever gone so far as to make such a claim, and likely never will. The success of their business is directly tied to perpetual, unquenchable human thirst.
The true identity of the all-satisfying living water is identified in the following verse: "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 7:39). This side of the resurrection of Christ, we are the recipients of these living waters in abundance. But, let me confess a tragedy I too often see: Christians who live as though scarcely a drop of living water has fallen into their lives. A sense of deficiency characterizes their lives - "I just don't know the Bible very well ...I could never share my faith ... there are habits I cannot seem to conquer ... etc." And yet the same Spirit of God that raised Jesus from the dead is an internal fountain of life in these people's lives! It's like sitting on a huge pile of money and not claiming to have any cash.
Jesus identifies the living water, the Holy Spirit of God, as both "Helper" (John 15:26) and "the Spirit of truth" (John 16:13). These descriptive words indicate specific areas of thirst that the living water satisfies. As we "go with the flow", we are equipped and taught in all essential areas. Through personal discipline in reading and studying the Bible, and devoting our lives to key essentials, the Spirit of God supplies all that is needed. We are not deficient in any way!
As those whose thirst has been abundantly quenched, may we bring the living water to all we encounter this day.
Steve
© 2010, Steve Taylor
There is a continual need to replenish our bodily water supply, but the "living water" promised by Jesus is so sufficient that it creates supply in place of thirst. No soft drink manufacturer has ever gone so far as to make such a claim, and likely never will. The success of their business is directly tied to perpetual, unquenchable human thirst.
The true identity of the all-satisfying living water is identified in the following verse: "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 7:39). This side of the resurrection of Christ, we are the recipients of these living waters in abundance. But, let me confess a tragedy I too often see: Christians who live as though scarcely a drop of living water has fallen into their lives. A sense of deficiency characterizes their lives - "I just don't know the Bible very well ...I could never share my faith ... there are habits I cannot seem to conquer ... etc." And yet the same Spirit of God that raised Jesus from the dead is an internal fountain of life in these people's lives! It's like sitting on a huge pile of money and not claiming to have any cash.
Jesus identifies the living water, the Holy Spirit of God, as both "Helper" (John 15:26) and "the Spirit of truth" (John 16:13). These descriptive words indicate specific areas of thirst that the living water satisfies. As we "go with the flow", we are equipped and taught in all essential areas. Through personal discipline in reading and studying the Bible, and devoting our lives to key essentials, the Spirit of God supplies all that is needed. We are not deficient in any way!
As those whose thirst has been abundantly quenched, may we bring the living water to all we encounter this day.
Steve
© 2010, Steve Taylor
posted by steve @ 8:44 AM
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