9) Water from the rock

Monday 6 December

John 7: 37-39

During the Feast of Tabernacles, we find the Lord Jesus in the Temple in Jerusalem. The Feast of Tabernacles reminds us of the journey of God’s people through the desert. That was a wonderful time: the LORD took care of Israel like a father. He gave bread from heaven and water from the rock. Their clothes did not wear out, their feet did not swell from walking, their enemies did not win, and they did not serve other gods (Deuteronomy 8:4). And so it shall be in the future.

However, during the Feast of Tabernacles in the time of Jesus, they also pray for rain. It hasn’t rained since spring and the fields that have just been sowed, are in urgent need of water. Down in the city, at the well of Siloam, a golden pitcher is filled with water and carried up the hill in a procession with festive singing. The high priest pours out the water before the altar as a prayer for rain. But the water also has a deeper meaning; it points to the gift of the Holy Spirit in God’s Kingdom. Therefore, the High Priest, when offering the sacrifice, quotes the words of Isaiah 12:3: ‘With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation’.

It is during this occasion that Jesus says to the people, ‘Let anyone who is thirsty, come to Me and drink.’ And then: ‘Whoever believes in Me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.’  With this, Jesus is referring to Himself. Streams of living water come out of Him. He is, as it were, the rock in the desert. The rock that accompanied the people of Israel until they reached the Promised Land (see also 1 Corinthians 10:4).

The question is how we ourselves deal with Jesus’ invitation. Jesus is the Messiah, He gives us the Holy Spirit on the way to the future. How often does my own strength, my own faith, my own expectations dry up? He who is thirsty may be refreshed by His power.

Prayer:
We thank God for the gift of the Holy Spirit.