India is a land of darkness, but God’s light is spreading throughout the darkness. India is a land of dryness, but the water of God’s Word is bringing refreshment and hope to the people. Electricity is spreading and removing the physical darkness while water wells are being dug to bring much-needed clean water to the thirsty people. The last two blogs have described how we have been involved in providing a well for a needy village. Providing much needed and greatly appreciated fresh water so touches the hearts of the appreciative people that they are open to hearing about the One Who can provide even more needed living water for their dry souls. A cup of cold water given in Jesus’ name opens hearts to hearing more about this Jesus is who so freely gives to those in need.
God can be called “the spring of living water” (Jeremiah 2:13; 17:13). Twice Jesus called Himself “living water (John 4:10; 7:37-39). The first was when He offered eternal, living water to the woman at the well in Samaria, which she accepted (John 4). The second time was when Jesus was in the temple following the priests who were bringing water into the temple as part of their ritual (John 7).
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 spirit. Jesus is the water needed by the spiritual part of man. Without Him the soul will eventually die. The soul is thirsty and we try to quench that thirst with many things that satisfy for awhile, but eventually we get thirsty again. The only thing that can truly quench the thirst of the spirit is the living water, Jesus Christ.
Jesus invites those who know their need, those who are poor in spirit (cf. Matthew 5:3), to take the initiative and come to Him and drink (v. 37). Drinking refers to believing (cf. v. 38), which means aligning oneself with Him, trusting Him, receiving His teaching and obeying His commands. Such faith will enable one to receive the Spirit and enter an abiding relationship with Christ. All of this is based on who God is and what he has done for us. When we believe we open our hands to receive what His grace offers–we come and drink.
This is what we offer to the people of India. Water wells show we care about their physical needs so that local pastors whom we train can offer access to spiritual water, a living relationship with Jesus Christ.
O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water. (Psalm 63:1).
As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? (Psalm 42:1-2).
Thank God for the difference Jesus’ living water has made in your life. Where would you be without it? Perhaps you still have unmet thirsts and needs – go to Jesus to meet them in His way and His time. Ask Him to give you opportunities today to share that living water with thirsty souls around you.