H2O
The Gospel of John has more symbolism than the other Gospels combined. John forcefully uses bread, light, and water – all elements necessary for human life – to teach us that Christ alone is at the core of our being. Without food, water, and light, then we are without Christ.
In several consecutive chapters of John, the use of water is powerful. The following paragraphs can be used a devotional meditations during Advent or, as illustrated, during Lent. They can be used to bookend a week of meditations with the first and last used as sermon material and the middle ones as material to be read during the week.
John 7: 37-41
Palm Sunday
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. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” 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. On hearing his words, some of the people said, “Surely this man is the Prophet.” Others said, “He is the Messiah.”
- Jesus proclaims to the masses that God is the source of all things. God can give each one of us a Spirit which links us ever closer to Jesus, but we are required to believe.
- The masses believed. The masses stated Jesus was the Messiah or a prophet from God. The masses knew that Jesus was not “just” a human but that he was connected directly to God. And they wanted the living water, the connection that Jesus had with God.
- Who is the source of your inner strength? What is the basis for your faith? Where is your “living water” coming from? How is your soul being restored daily?
- Water is an element that is basic to all life. But God wants to give us more than just water, he wants us to have water that gives life. What’s more, God has this living water and generously gives it to all who believe in Jesus the Messiah.
Water is essential to our lives. Living water is essential to our souls.
Lead On!