11/30/16
The earliest Christians followed a Jewish tradition of pausing to pray, preferably together, first thing in the morning, about mid morning, at noon, about mid afternoon, and in the evening. “Just a Note” posts are brief observations made from Scripture readings not related to a lectionary. If I have one to post, it normally appears about 9:00 in the morning, at “the hour of prayer.”
In John 7:37-39, Jesus makes a very radical claim. During this time of harvest festival, when the people are gathered to eat and drink, Jesus calls people to himself, inviting them to come and drink. What drink does he have? Maybe a barrel of wine? Not at all. He makes this promise of living water. He uses the same language he used speaking with the woman in Samaria in chapter four.
Where does the living water come from? Jesus presents himself as the source. Yet the living water comes from the midriff of the one believing on him. What is that living water? John’s comment in verse 39 is that the water is in fact the Holy Spirit.
As we believe on Christ, as we look to him in faith, he does an unusual thing through us. He pours out the Holy Spirit to bring sustenance not only to us but to those around us. Picture a life with the Holy Spirit overflowing. This will influence all of our family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, all the people we are in contact with. Are there thirsty people around? No doubt. May we look to Jesus as the one who calls them and us to himself.
If this brief meditation was helpful to you, I hope you will check out the other materials on our website at www.WittenbergCoMo.com and consider supporting us.
The earliest Christians followed a Jewish tradition of pausing to pray, preferably together, first thing in the morning, about mid morning, at noon, about mid afternoon, and in the evening. “Just a Note” posts are brief observations made from Scripture readings not related to a lectionary. If I have one to post, it normally appears about 9:00 in the morning, at “the hour of prayer.”
In John 7:37-39, Jesus makes a very radical claim. During this time of harvest festival, when the people are gathered to eat and drink, Jesus calls people to himself, inviting them to come and drink. What drink does he have? Maybe a barrel of wine? Not at all. He makes this promise of living water. He uses the same language he used speaking with the woman in Samaria in chapter four.
Where does the living water come from? Jesus presents himself as the source. Yet the living water comes from the midriff of the one believing on him. What is that living water? John’s comment in verse 39 is that the water is in fact the Holy Spirit.
As we believe on Christ, as we look to him in faith, he does an unusual thing through us. He pours out the Holy Spirit to bring sustenance not only to us but to those around us. Picture a life with the Holy Spirit overflowing. This will influence all of our family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, all the people we are in contact with. Are there thirsty people around? No doubt. May we look to Jesus as the one who calls them and us to himself.
If this brief meditation was helpful to you, I hope you will check out the other materials on our website at www.WittenbergCoMo.com and consider supporting us.
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