The Water of the Thirst

"If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. He who believes in me, as the Scripture has said, out of his belly will flow rivers of living water." (John 7:37, 38)

On that great day of the feast, the Lord Jesus revealed Himself as the Rock that overflows with the water we need, the free water offered to all who are thirsty. So whoever is thirsty, may come and drink from the Rock that is Christ.

The gift of the Holy Spirit was necessary so that the water could flow effectively and efficiently, as we read that.

"the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified" (John 7:39). Now we have the Holy Spirit, and what else can we do but come to Jesus and drink from Him, and in drinking from Him all the needs of the soul are satisfied and fulfilled.

An unbeliever can come to Christ and drink, and thus receive life under the influence of the power of the Spirit of God. However, the mention of drinking here applies especially to us believers who have preceded us and accepted the Lord Jesus as our eternal life.

The important question for us is: Do we drink from Him at all times? Do our hearts yearn to come to Him so that the fountain of life may remain fresh in our souls? Or are we content to be like those who pass through the wilderness of this world without feeling thirst for Him?

How often does the soul of the believer not experience the sincere longing to be in contact with the Lord Jesus, the source of living water? If that happens, the soul dries up and becomes like a plant that dries up from drought and ends up dying. If drops of new water happen to fall on the plant, it immediately shows signs of health, and with perseverance it regains its original activity and freshness. What is true of the community is true of each believer individually.

We judge our condition and the condition of the Christians around us by the strength of our thirst for Christ. We have the Holy Spirit, and from the moment it comes into contact with the source, blessing overflows without limit. This is the great secret of the Christian life.

By/ Rossier