Saturday December 19, 2020

Today’s Reading: John 7:37-44

On the last and most important day of the festival, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone is thirsty, he should come to Me and drink!” 

John 7:37

Reflection: Jesus beckons all to come to Him! He is the One Who provides streams of Living Water to the thirsty. His offer of Himself not only fills those in need, but also wells up within each one an Everlasting Stream, that they will never thirst. When Jesus shares His invitation to the people in Jerusalem, it is on the last day of the Feast of Tabernacles, which remembered when God gave water to the Israelites during their journey through the wilderness. It is at this time that Jesus points to Himself as the source of Living Water that would quench spiritual thirst to anyone who would come to Him.

When Jesus says to come and drink, He means that we should receive Him into our hearts as our Messiah. For those who believe in Jesus receive His Holy Spirit, the Living Water that would flow within us.

There is a saying which goes like this: one can lead a horse to water, but cannot make it drink. Jesus brings Himself into the midst of those lacking spiritual nourishment and bids them, ‘Come.’ Some who hear Jesus question Him from afar. But that is why Jesus beckons us near. It is as we draw near to Him that any doubt is dispelled and faith grows. It it when we have a drink from the Source of Living Water that we are assured of His Power to satisfy our souls. We cannot proclaim from our hearts that God is good unless we have first tasted and seen this Truth for ourselves. What can we tell others about Jesus? Perhaps we can recount His lineage or recall His teachings. But what we tell others about Him can only be declared to others in confidence after we’ve first received the Messiah ourselves.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I come to You now. You are the Source of Living Water. You alone satisfy my soul. I praise and thank You that You provide such an extravagant blessing to me by Your Holy Spirit. You are marvelous, Lord, to be so generous in showing Your faithfulness. As I draw nearer and nearer to You, Lord, let me see and know more about You. Grant me Your faith to not only draw near to You, but to remain near. In Jesus’ Precious Name I pray, AMEN.

Thru the Bible in a year (credit: Biblestudytools.com): John 7:25-52; 1 Chronicles 29; Zechariah13