Thirsty?

John 7:37-39 - 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, as 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.

Have you ever been really thirsty? Your body needs water more than any other substance. We can live without food for several weeks. We will die without water in just a couple of days. Our bodies crave water when do not have it.

The Feast of Tabernacles reminded the people of Israel of their forty year long journey from slavery in Egypt to the Promised Land. As they traveled through the desert, more than once they ran out of water and God miraculously provided it for them. (Exodus 15:22-27, 17:2-6; Numbers 20:1-12) On the biggest day of this feast, in front of the largest crowd, Jesus cried out with a loud voice to many who were thirsty. Yet, his invitation went far beyond the desert memories. The invitation did not go to those thirsty for physical water. Instead, he promised – and still promises – living water to meet a much deeper thirst.

Perhaps you have this deeper thirst today. You have a longing for more. You thirst to know why you are on this planet. You are aware of an emptiness inside that no beverage – or person – has been able to satisfy. I still remember very well trying to get my own thirst filled from a variety of sources, but all of them left me even thirstier than before. All of that changed when I met Jesus and experienced the power of the Holy Spirit in me these verses describe. More than three decades later, that living water still flows. There is a real joy that transcends every circumstance I face that I do not produce myself. It is a never ending stream of joy-filled spiritual water. It is my prayer that you would experience it, too, if you have not already. Jesus tells you can here. 

Jesus gives us the first step, “Come to me,” in verse 37. You won’t find this living water anywhere else but from him. The next step is to drink. Many believe in Jesus but hold back in receiving the living water of the Holy Spirit. Some “drink” the living water best with others around them who can pray with them for this filling. Others seek and experience the Spirit’s filling on their own. Either way, come to Jesus and drink of the Spirit. Let your thirst be truly satisfied.