devotional
Living Water John 4:3-42
Today’s Scripture reading refers to 2 kinds of water: water that comes from rain, rivers, streams and the oceans = (physical) and a living water that comes from the Lord = (spiritual). In order to understand the importance of the spiritual water, we need to have a better understanding of the physical water.
Physical water – roughly 3 /4s of the earth’s surface is covered with water, Earth is known as the water planet, for it is the only planet in the solar system covered with water. Without water, the human race, animals and plants would die. Next to the air we breathe, water is probably the most important thing in our lives; physically speaking. An average human being can only go 7-10 days without water consumption. Over 2/ 3rds of the human body is water. Our blood is 90 % water.
We use water for bathing, cooking, drinking, washing clothes and so much more. Under the Jewish religion in the Old Testament, every priest was required to take a full bath and put on clean garments before entering the temple. Water was also used ceremonially for cleansing the Jews from various transgressions of the Mosaic Law.
Spiritual Water
In the Old Test. = thirsting after God
Psalm 36:9 –For with you, God, is the fountain of Life, in your light we see light.
Psalm 42:1 – As a deer longs for flowing steams, so my soul longs for you, O God.
Isa. 55:1 – Ho, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; come, buy and eat!
Jeremiah 2:13 – For my people have committed two evils, they have forsaken me, the fountain of living water and dug out cisterns for themselves, cracked cisterns that can hold no water.
Jeremiah 17:13 – O hope of Israel! O Lord! All who forsake you shall be put to shame; those who turn away from you shall be recorded in the underworld, for they have forsaken the fountain of Living Water, the Lord.
Zechariah 13:1- On that day a fountain shall be opened for the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, to cleanse them from sin and impurity.
****************
One day, Jesus - the Word incarnate, was traveling back to Galilee and decided to take the shorter route through Samaria. The Samaritans were a mixed race of Jews and foreigners who had intermarried. The pure Jews hated the Samaritans and would never think of traveling through Samaria, but, Jesus did. Growing tired, Jesus sat down by Jacob’s well; it was around noon. Normally, women came to the well in the morning and evening. But, this Samaritan woman who was known to be living in sin would visit the well at noon or so to avoid others.
On this particular day, she had an encounter that would change her life forever. She had an encounter with Christ, the Living Water.
Water was scarce in Jesus’ day, yet water was as much a necessity for life then as it is today. Just as the physical body needs water to continue living so does the soul need Living Water to continue living now and to life eternal. Jesus is the water needed by the spiritual man or woman. Without Him the soul will eventually die.
Jesus, the Son of God, the King of Kings, the Living Water was born into this world and offers each person regardless of race, social position, or past sins – Himself, the Living Water. The soul is thirsty and we try to quench that thirst with many things that satisfy for a little while, but, eventually we get thirsty again. Jesus, the Messiah, is the only one that can quench the thirst of the human soul; there is no other.
Jesus told Nicodemus in John 3:5, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit.”
Ephesians 5:25,26 tells us that “Jesus died for the church that he might “sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word”.
John 7:37-39 states, ‘“On the last day of the festival, the great day, while Jesus was standing there, he cried out, “let anyone who is thirsty come to me, and let the one who believes in me drink. As the scripture has said, ‘Out of the believer’s heart shall flow rivers of living water.’ Now he said this about the Spirit, which believers in him were to receive; for as yet there was no Spirit, because Jesus was not yet glorified.”’
The Living Water is the knowledge of Jesus Christ. God’s word says, “Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom and understanding. Be filled with the Spirit.” The Living Water is here, but, each person must receive this water into their hearts and minds of their own free will. Salvation cannot be earned, but God gives it freely.
Just as the Samaritan woman needed more than just physical water, we too need more than just physical water. We find that our souls are parched without God’s Word and the Spirit.
One day, you and I will die and experience eternal life described as the “water of life” found in Revelation 22:1-3. Bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and the Lamb offering life and healing.
The Spirit and the bride say, “Come”. And let everyone who hears say, “Come”. And let everyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who wishes take the water of life as a gift.
JESUS…THE LIVING WATER (poem)…..
Jesus is the living water which can satisfy.
He is the oasis in a land barren and dry.
Only He can bring true satisfaction deep within.
His living water can break the bondage of sin.
He awaits you with his love and grace.
His living water shall fill your “empty space”.
You were made according to his design.
He created this world with you in mind.
Come and drink of his water that only he can give.
Taste of his everlasting love each day that you live.
Now is the day of salvation please don’t delay!
Listen to the words Jesus has to say.
His promises are forever, steadfast and true.
It is no secret of how much he loves me and YOU.
By Jim Pemberton
We live in a world desperately thirsty for living water, and many are dying of thirst. Thankfully, it’s not too late. Let us invite everyone to come and drink……
Prayer: Dear God, help me to quench my spiritual thirst with your Son, Jesus, the Living Water, by looking to Him each day – through prayer and reading Scripture. Help me to share the Living Water with others by telling them about Jesus and how He can quench their spiritual thirst like He does mine. Amen
Today’s Scripture reading refers to 2 kinds of water: water that comes from rain, rivers, streams and the oceans = (physical) and a living water that comes from the Lord = (spiritual). In order to understand the importance of the spiritual water, we need to have a better understanding of the physical water.
Physical water – roughly 3 /4s of the earth’s surface is covered with water, Earth is known as the water planet, for it is the only planet in the solar system covered with water. Without water, the human race, animals and plants would die. Next to the air we breathe, water is probably the most important thing in our lives; physically speaking. An average human being can only go 7-10 days without water consumption. Over 2/ 3rds of the human body is water. Our blood is 90 % water.
We use water for bathing, cooking, drinking, washing clothes and so much more. Under the Jewish religion in the Old Testament, every priest was required to take a full bath and put on clean garments before entering the temple. Water was also used ceremonially for cleansing the Jews from various transgressions of the Mosaic Law.
Spiritual Water
In the Old Test. = thirsting after God
Psalm 36:9 –For with you, God, is the fountain of Life, in your light we see light.
Psalm 42:1 – As a deer longs for flowing steams, so my soul longs for you, O God.
Isa. 55:1 – Ho, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; come, buy and eat!
Jeremiah 2:13 – For my people have committed two evils, they have forsaken me, the fountain of living water and dug out cisterns for themselves, cracked cisterns that can hold no water.
Jeremiah 17:13 – O hope of Israel! O Lord! All who forsake you shall be put to shame; those who turn away from you shall be recorded in the underworld, for they have forsaken the fountain of Living Water, the Lord.
Zechariah 13:1- On that day a fountain shall be opened for the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, to cleanse them from sin and impurity.
****************
One day, Jesus - the Word incarnate, was traveling back to Galilee and decided to take the shorter route through Samaria. The Samaritans were a mixed race of Jews and foreigners who had intermarried. The pure Jews hated the Samaritans and would never think of traveling through Samaria, but, Jesus did. Growing tired, Jesus sat down by Jacob’s well; it was around noon. Normally, women came to the well in the morning and evening. But, this Samaritan woman who was known to be living in sin would visit the well at noon or so to avoid others.
On this particular day, she had an encounter that would change her life forever. She had an encounter with Christ, the Living Water.
Water was scarce in Jesus’ day, yet water was as much a necessity for life then as it is today. Just as the physical body needs water to continue living so does the soul need Living Water to continue living now and to life eternal. Jesus is the water needed by the spiritual man or woman. Without Him the soul will eventually die.
Jesus, the Son of God, the King of Kings, the Living Water was born into this world and offers each person regardless of race, social position, or past sins – Himself, the Living Water. The soul is thirsty and we try to quench that thirst with many things that satisfy for a little while, but, eventually we get thirsty again. Jesus, the Messiah, is the only one that can quench the thirst of the human soul; there is no other.
Jesus told Nicodemus in John 3:5, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit.”
Ephesians 5:25,26 tells us that “Jesus died for the church that he might “sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word”.
John 7:37-39 states, ‘“On the last day of the festival, the great day, while Jesus was standing there, he cried out, “let anyone who is thirsty come to me, and let the one who believes in me drink. As the scripture has said, ‘Out of the believer’s heart shall flow rivers of living water.’ Now he said this about the Spirit, which believers in him were to receive; for as yet there was no Spirit, because Jesus was not yet glorified.”’
The Living Water is the knowledge of Jesus Christ. God’s word says, “Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom and understanding. Be filled with the Spirit.” The Living Water is here, but, each person must receive this water into their hearts and minds of their own free will. Salvation cannot be earned, but God gives it freely.
Just as the Samaritan woman needed more than just physical water, we too need more than just physical water. We find that our souls are parched without God’s Word and the Spirit.
One day, you and I will die and experience eternal life described as the “water of life” found in Revelation 22:1-3. Bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and the Lamb offering life and healing.
The Spirit and the bride say, “Come”. And let everyone who hears say, “Come”. And let everyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who wishes take the water of life as a gift.
JESUS…THE LIVING WATER (poem)…..
Jesus is the living water which can satisfy.
He is the oasis in a land barren and dry.
Only He can bring true satisfaction deep within.
His living water can break the bondage of sin.
He awaits you with his love and grace.
His living water shall fill your “empty space”.
You were made according to his design.
He created this world with you in mind.
Come and drink of his water that only he can give.
Taste of his everlasting love each day that you live.
Now is the day of salvation please don’t delay!
Listen to the words Jesus has to say.
His promises are forever, steadfast and true.
It is no secret of how much he loves me and YOU.
By Jim Pemberton
We live in a world desperately thirsty for living water, and many are dying of thirst. Thankfully, it’s not too late. Let us invite everyone to come and drink……
Prayer: Dear God, help me to quench my spiritual thirst with your Son, Jesus, the Living Water, by looking to Him each day – through prayer and reading Scripture. Help me to share the Living Water with others by telling them about Jesus and how He can quench their spiritual thirst like He does mine. Amen
