•Monday, July 26, 2010
"Jesus replied, 'If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water.'" John 4:10 NLT
Anyone who was outside this weekend knows that the heat was oppressive. Even I was hot--something that seldom happens. Sweat trickled in salty rivulets down my temples and beaded on my nose and upper lip. My throat felt dry and all I could think of was a cool drink of water.
Imagine the woman at the well drawing water and hearing the words of Jesus: "Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life." Wow! Never have to draw water again! That would save so much time and energy, not to mention how comfortable it would be to never again feel the sensation of thirst. As we often do, she was thinking of the temporal things that always seem of the most immediate and pressing importance.
But Jesus had something far greater in mind than merely saving her from the labor of drawing water or the discomfort of a dry throat. He wanted to offer her something lasting and satisfying. She didn't realize that her soul was thirsty, and that this was not a momentary condition. This kind of thirst was deep and penetrating, and in her attempt to find solace for it she had wandered into sin that only left her feeling ashamed. But even so, Jesus offered her the soothing drink of forgiveness and hope. And once she had tasted of it, she was never the same.
Anyone who was outside this weekend knows that the heat was oppressive. Even I was hot--something that seldom happens. Sweat trickled in salty rivulets down my temples and beaded on my nose and upper lip. My throat felt dry and all I could think of was a cool drink of water.
Imagine the woman at the well drawing water and hearing the words of Jesus: "Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life." Wow! Never have to draw water again! That would save so much time and energy, not to mention how comfortable it would be to never again feel the sensation of thirst. As we often do, she was thinking of the temporal things that always seem of the most immediate and pressing importance.
But Jesus had something far greater in mind than merely saving her from the labor of drawing water or the discomfort of a dry throat. He wanted to offer her something lasting and satisfying. She didn't realize that her soul was thirsty, and that this was not a momentary condition. This kind of thirst was deep and penetrating, and in her attempt to find solace for it she had wandered into sin that only left her feeling ashamed. But even so, Jesus offered her the soothing drink of forgiveness and hope. And once she had tasted of it, she was never the same.
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