Let the River Flow

PASSAGE FOR THE DAY:

John 7 (click the link)

 

 

KEY VERSES:

On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified. (John 7:37-39, NIV)

 

 

THE SCENE:

So it seems that Jesus was biding his time in Galilee. It wasn’t time yet for everyone to know who he was and what his ultimate purpose for being on earth was. He had done some pretty amazing things on a smaller scale as he traveled with his disciples, teaching them what it looked like to live the God-life on a daily basis and his brothers weren’t too happy about his reluctance to jump into the spotlight. They challenged him: “If you ever want to make an impact, you’ve got to make yourself known. Go to Jerusalem now for the Festival of Tabernacles. Everyone who is anyone will be there and you should be too!” Finally, when the last of the family caravan had departed, he simply blended in with the crowd and made his way to Jerusalem. 

 

The Festival of Tabernacles (instated in Leviticus 23:33-44 and celebrated today as Sukkot) was a week-long exercise to remind Jews of God’s care for their ancestors during their escape (Exodus) from slavery in Egypt and 40 years of wandering in the desert. Throughout the holiday, meals were eaten in tents and water was poured out daily at the altar to remind everyone how God miraculously provided for a thirsty Israel in the wilderness. Jews from all levels of society gathered in Jerusalem where the best of the best would lead in the remembrances.  About halfway thru the week, Jesus began going to the temple to take his turn teaching and the question was raised about his credibility. Typically a teacher was deemed worthy on the merit of his mentor, yet Jesus spoke with boldness under no human rabbi’s authority. His doctrine was sound because he was God-taught (7:18), he healed a man on the Sabbath because he knew God’s heart to make men whole, and he confused those who presumed to know how Messiah would present himself. 

 

On the last day of the festival, when every person had gorged on food, drink, family time and tradition, Jesus stunned them all. “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink.  Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” Thirsty? Still? Jesus knew that for some, meaningful remembrances and nostalgia would not satisfy and those who felt a void even after being filled would be prepared for his message. It’s interesting to see the Greek words chosen to express “Thirsty? Come to me. Drink.” In essence Jesus says “If you’re suffering from a deep, wearying, parched aching, come along side me and drink your fill for as long as you want.” What? During a holiday that celebrated God producing water in impossibly dry places, Jesus identified himself as THE water and said there’s always more where that came from! And if that wasn’t enough, he dared to say that ANYONE who believed in him could manifest the same refreshing overflow for others, lavish and excessive and oh, so satisfying! 

 

 

PERSONAL THOUGHTS:

I gotta be honest here: this chapter has always been painfully challenging to me. I just spent a great Thanksgiving week in Kansas City with the future of the Bland-Myers crew underfoot everywhere I turned, food to rival any cooking magazine, and all the family time I could wish for, yet now I feel a little empty in my big ol’ house with only two kids. I have a life of more than enough, but somehow I’m still thirsty. Jesus, show me where the living water of your Spirit… the essence of who you are… is so desperately needed. Put me in a place where I can not only receive you fully, but also pour you out so that no one lacks for any Jesus when I’m around. 

 

 

WHO AM I?

I’m Leigh Anne Bland, and I’m one of the thousands of people who went to the Kansas City Plaza this year to see them turn on the Christmas lights. 10 adults and 4 littles all with glow in the dark necklaces (thanks to my genius sister in law) braved the crowds and watched an amazing fireworks show. We had a great time and I miss them all already.