“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.”
John 7:37-39
Jesus’ promise of living water, here in John 7 and earlier to the woman at the well (John 4) is drawn from Isaiah 55:
“Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food.”
Isaiah 55:1-3
Water is a powerful theme in Scripture. Eden was a well watered garden with one river flowing out of it then branching into four rivers (Gen. 2:10-11). In the new creation the River of Life flows directly from the throne of God through the middle of the holy city (Rev. 22:1). God delivered His people by dividing the Red Sea, then provided for His people by bringing miraculous water from a rock in the wilderness. Water was used for washing in the temple area and then for baptism as the New Testament rite of initiation into the family of God.
Water is essential for life. “Hydrate or die,” was a daily reminder for workers at our family camp. Just as our bodies depend on literal water, so our souls depend on the living water of the Holy Spirit for guidance and power. Do you consider your time reading God’s Word, praying, studying, reflecting and memorizing as spiritual hydration? Do you feel stronger and healthier spiritually when you are spending more time in Scripture and prayer? Do you you feel spiritually dry and struggling when you neglect those regular habits of connecting with the Lord?
Isaiah 55 gives us a five step pathway to follow to draw closer to the Lord.
- Thirst (v. 1)
- Admit you need something you cannot get on your own
- You can’t get the infinite wealth of Jesus until you realize your personal Bankruptcy
- Turn (v. 2a, 7; Lk. 14:26)
- Forsake your devotion to everything and everyone but Jesus
- You can’t take hold of Jesus by faith until you let go of your selfishness and sin
- Seek (v. 2-3, 6-9; Rev. 22:17)
- Actively study God’s Word to understand and believe the Gospel
- You can’t experience God’s grace until you acknowledge His Greatness
- Receive (v. 3-5,7; Rom. 8:2,4)
- Commit yourself fully to Jesus in personal faith
- Jesus gives the believer forgiveness, freedom and Fullness in Himself
- Rejoice (v. 10-13)
- Experience the joy of Belonging to Jesus
- As we follow Him, the Holy Spirit makes us Fruitful
“For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.”
Isaiah 55:12