Thirsty

John 7:37-39 “On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water." But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.”

This was the eight day, the last day of the Feast of Tabernacles. In Leviticus 23:37 God called the people on this day to a sacred assembly to culminate the seven days of the feast. John called it “the great day of the feast.” On that day the priest brought forth, in golden vessels, water from the stream of Siloah, which flowed under the temple-mountain, and solemnly poured it upon the altar. Then the words of Isaiah 12:3 were sung, "With joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of Salvation,"

In the midst of this intense celebration with thousands of people, Jesus diverts everyone’s attention when He stood and cried out, saying, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” Jesus is our source of life, our source of refreshing. It is not of us, our work, or our ministry that life comes, but it is from Christ that life flows to a thirsty world.

The water no longer flows from the temple-mountain. Today we are the “temple of the Hoy Spirit.” The rivers of living water are to flow out of our hearts. In order for this living water to flow in us and through us, Jesus said we must be thirsty, we must come to Him and drink and we must believe. The kingdom of God operates on the principle of supply and demand. How thirsty are you for God today, for His presence, for His Spirit and His Word? In the midst of a hectic world we live in, I believe the call of Jesus goes out today saying “Come!” “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30)

We live in a day when we cannot operate on our own. As this world shakes and challenges increase, personal challenges and challenges in ministry, we need more than ever the flow of God’s Spirit in our lives. We cannot wait for crises to come, but today we need a desperation for God that brings us to our knees. A desperation that causes us to tune out the world and to tune in to the voice of the Spirit. A desperation that causes us to act in faith to His Word, no matter the circumstances and consequences.

The call goes forth again in the closing chapter of Revelations, the end of the church age, “And the Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires let him take the water of life freely.” May you drink deeply today, tomorrow, and the coming days of the awesome greatness of our God, “who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.” Ephesians 3:20-21

Andy