Living Water

Have you ever been really thirsty? So thirsty that all you can think about is water? You can imagine the smooth, cooling feeling against your parched throat. You can taste the refreshing flavor as it fills your dehydrated mouth. Every once in awhile, especially when it’s hot and I’m either outside or in the car or plane and don’t have access to water, I feel that way. A couple of weeks ago we were able to attend the annual Airventure fly-in at Oshkosh. We spent hours each day in the sun walking around the exhibits and static aircraft displays. I brought my water bottle with me, which helped a lot, but one day I couldn’t find a place nearby to fill it up. When I finally found a water fountain, I ran as fast as I could, filled the bottle up, and then drank nearly all of the water immediately. I suddenly felt revived and able to continue walking in the heat.

I can imagine Jesus was in a similar situation when He and His disciples arrived at a well outside of a Samaritan town. They had been walking for hours in the sun and He was probably feeling desperate for a drink. When a woman approached with a bucket, He asked her for some water. He then proceeded to relate His own and the woman’s thirst to something spiritual.“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” (John 4:13-14). Next time you take a drink of water, let it be a reminder of the living water that Jesus longs to give you. Then, accept that water, which gives you eternal life.