81. Living Water
John 4:10 If you knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink, thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.
Jesus promises “living water.” Living water is running water that constantly refreshes itself, not like stagnant water that just sits there and doesn’t move. The life that Jesus gives us is the life of God; it continually runs and refreshes; it flows and never stops washing away sin and death. This living water is the Holy Spirit that lives and moves inside of us who repent and believe the Gospel. This continual washing and cleansing is needed because we continually sin, and we continually pay attention to our own self and its sinful interests.
Without a continual flow of fresh water and renewal we quickly stagnate, poison our lives, and live in the misery of sin and guilt. God is gracious to give us Jesus who continues to forgive even while we continue to sin. Without this living water we would simply thirst again. Thirst is a good thing signaling the body that it needs water. Spiritual thirst is also a good thing as it signals that the soul needs forgiveness and new life. Spiritual thirst is not readily recognized, but when we admit that we need Jesus all the time He will come and quench the thirst, for without Him we dry up, get bored often, worry more, get agitated quickly, lose our temper, forget patience, and live in a general malaise. These are signs of spiritual thirst, which comes from a willingness to live without living water for a period of time.
If I do not get refreshed regularly life deteriorates. I need to recognize the signs of thirst. Jesus tells us the remedy: “Ask of him.” We know the gift of God and who it is who speaks to us, and we ask. Then He gives.