May 22, 2004

THE LIVING WATER

"Whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life" (John 4:14, NIV).

In His memorable encounter with the woman at Jacob's well, Jesus made reference to Himself as the living water.

The picture of Christ as the living water is reminiscent of the fresh water gushing from the rock in the desert to quench the thirst of the children of Israel (see Numbers 20:11). Christ's description of Himself as a fountain of water bubbling up to everlasting life grabbed the attention of the woman at the well. It aroused her curiosity about this new kind of water that permanently satisfies. Fascinated by this discovery, she abandoned her empty water pots at the well and eagerly raced to the village to spread the good news of her thrilling discovery.

As a bubbling fountain of pure water is to a thirsty traveler in the desert heat, so is Christ, the living water, to those who long for eternal life. Nothing satisfies the soul like Jesus. He is the only true source of the life-giving water of salvation. All other sources are mere mirages in the desert--or broken cisterns that hold no water (see Jeremiah 2:13). Jesus is the fountain that never runs dry.

The supply of this living water is unlimited and free. It is always available in super abundance. The invitation is open to all: "Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely" (Revelation 22:17). Meditate on these words: "Christ's gracious presence in His Word is ever speaking to the soul, representing Him as the well of living water to refresh the thirsting."--God's Amazing Grace, p. 119.

My Prayer Today: Lord, You are the living water. Like the woman at the well, I pray, "give me this water that I thirst not." Amen