John 7:37-39 ESV
On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.
What a great day, Pentecost! The day that God sent the Holy Spirit upon his people. A day for all disciples to keep our eyes focused on God. A day that marks the beginning of Christian witness. For so many, a day of Confirmations across the world where individual disciples declare belief in God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. A day that sets our lives on fire with the presence of the Holy Spirit with us and in us. A day that we are gifted and made aware of all that God has done for us. A day that we realize that it's never about our own actions or dedication, but all a total gift from God. A day that we renew and revive our witness to God's love and grace and freedom of salvation to all the world. What a great day, Pentecost!
The Gospel passage for this Pentecost Sunday is short and to the point. I didn't even need to add a link to this passage. It is printed in full above. Some, context is appropriate.
Jesus statement takes place on one of, or perhaps the last day, of the Feast of Tabernacles. So, what is that?
During the Feast of Tabernacles the people would dwell in booths to remind them of how God rescued them out of slavery in Egypt, bringing them through the wilderness into the Promised Land. There is much meaning held within the celebration of this Feast. One of the actions that would take place during the Feast was a procession of water from the Pool of Siloam to the Temple. You may recall Jesus healing the Blind Man at the Pool of Siloam. The Pool of Siloam was a key cleansing place. The word Siloam, in itself, reflects deep meaning in this passage, since Siloam means "Sent." I'll mention more about being sent later.
The Feast of Tabernacles and the Pool of Siloam were reminders to the Israelites of a time in the wilderness when water was drawn from a rock in a time of need and thirst. Pause and reflect upon a couple of words here as well... water... rock... Jesus is the source of "Living water". Jesus is our "Rock." This is a recurring theme throughout the Scriptures, in the Old and New Testaments. In fact... Jesus is smeared all over the Old Testament in obvious ways, just look for him as you read through the Old Testament, with the words of the New Testament in mind.
So, as the water was brought from the Pool of Siloam to the Temple, the people would sing with joy, that you will draw water from the wells of salvation. Wells were gathering places for people to draw water and receive, salvation, and life, and quench thirst from, in the times of the Old and New Testament. Recall the Woman at the well with Jesus and her realization that Jesus was the Messiah, a source of "Living" water... salvation. She left that well with more than her thirst quenched or the animals watered. She walked away from that well, having seen the Messiah and taking in the Living Water of salvation.
So that's a sort of long way around to setting the time of year and the Feast that Jesus is present at for this Gospel passage.
Now, for the Day of Pentecost. Jesus makes this brief, yet powerful statement prior to his death, resurrection and ascension. Jesus gives his disciples a hint of the pouring out of Living Waters from him through the Holy Spirit upon us. Jesus in these few verses gives a prophecy to be realized at Pentecost, the Advent of the Holy Spirit. Jesus tells us, in other words, that out of his gut, the very center of his being, flows "Living" water. Recall at the crucifixion, upon piercing his side by the soldier, how water and blood flowed from the gut of Jesus. Well, that reminds me that my sin is washed by the water and blood of Jesus. Living Water, saving blood.
Anyone who is thirsty come to Jesus and drink "Living" water. As we are baptized we are washed and buried under water to arise anew to new life in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. We are given new life that we certainly do not deserve, nor attain by anything we do. We are given New Life by what God has done for us and now in us, and through the Gifts of the Holy Spirit, making us one with God. We are drawn into communion with God and sent out.
As God lives with us we gain faith. We gain faith, not from our own efforts. We gain faith by what God does for us and with us. And we come to believe in God. It's nothing to do with what my efforts or thoughts or actions bring forth. It's all, completely, about God's action towards me or you that we have a believer's heart.
Living waters, flowing through Jesus and from the Holy Spirit into my believing heart.
Celebrate the Day of Pentecost. Wash in the Living Water of God the Father, Son and especially, this day, the Holy Spirit. And then Go! You have been SENT! Use this new life, not for yourself... but rather throw it away to others in the love of God, and the love of neighbor. As you walk away from church tomorrow, testify, witness and tell all those God gives to you, about the Source of Living Waters... today... tomorrow... and forever!
Thanks be to God for Living Water! --- Amen
Weight of the World Allowed Living Water to Flow is a painting by Melani Pyke
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