A mountain stream at full bore… collecting water from the high peaks and plateaus, it throws itself headlong towards the sea. It has the energy to carve slowly through rocks, and collects minerals to feed the farmlands far below. Exuberant life!
How far removed this is from the stagnant pools and puddles left behind after the flood passes. A floodplain should absorb water- but it needs refreshing regularly with oxygen-rich living water.
Religion has a way of becoming stagnant too. Jesus stirred up controversy at the great festival in Jerusalem: the pilgrims had travelled there, and the “establishment” had organised proceedings very thoroughly. But God will not be confined to our designs! Religion that becomes “respectable” or elite needs to be infused with fresh love, passion, and glory. Many in the crowds responded to Jesus- and many of the powerful plotted to remove Him.
"On the last day, the climax of the festival, Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, “Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’” (When he said “living water,” he was speaking of the Spirit, who would be given to everyone believing in him. But the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet entered into his glory.)" - John 7 v37-39 (NLT)
Living water cannot be contained- it finds all the holes to spread through and pass on its vitality.
Feeling religiously jaded? Time to renew faith and love for Jesus… He loves to help the thirsty and feed the spiritually hungry! Jesus has indeed entered His glory through the Cross and Resurrection: and He took humanity within Him when He ascended. That glorious moment was followed by Pentecost- the day that Holy Spirit came flooding into this world. Living Water, indeed.
The Reflectionary 