The Holy Spirit quenches our thirst!
John 7:37- “On the last and most important day of the festival, Jesus stood up and called out, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink!” (EHV)
What has been the most fought over item in history? Gold…oil….some other precious jewel…? Water! That’s right, water is the most fought over item in history. Wars have been fought time and time again over water. When you are dying of thirst, gold, oil, money will not help… only water. When you lack water you will do anything to acquire it. The Israelites even turned on the LORD because they were thirsty even after releasing them from slavery. It makes sense that water is the most important thing in the world since over half of our bodies it water. We can live much longer without food, but not water. Water is the element that keeps us alive.
What causes you to thirst? Is it guilt or shame that you have harbored in your heart for many years? Is it the pain and misery you feel in your daily lives? Whatever thirst you are dealing with, you must know the source of our thirst.
This is where the problem lies! We hate to face that which makes us thirst. We do not want to come to grips with our mortality. Death is the cause of our thirst! Now you see why we hate to confront that which makes us thirsty. Death brings us mourning, crying, and painful things that are not pleasant. When death is brought up in a conversation, we squirm. We look for ways to turn the conversation to anything else. We try to distract ourselves from death. But no matter how hard we try, death stares right back at us. And then we are reminded time and time again that death is everywhere. And the worse part about death….it is what each of us has earned. Every sin big or small brings us death. And no matter what you try, no matter how good you think you are…you cannot escape death. Think about the reaction to your physical body when death comes. We turn to dust…we lose all of our water!
Is there anywhere we can turn to quench this thirst? Many people tried to find a way on their own and have failed. There is only one way to quench this thirst. “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink!” Jesus tells you to come to him and receive the water that will quench the thirst that death brings you! But how do we know if it truly for us? The Holy Spirit is the one who pours out the gift of faith to receive this gift of water from Jesus’ flowing heart of love. The Spirit is the only one who can connect us to the life giving-water Jesus is offering. Today is a day to give thanks to the Holy Spirit for quenching our thirst with Jesus!
Dear Holy Spirit, thank you for connecting us to the source of the water of life, Jesus Christ our Savior. Continue to strengthen our faith in Jesus so we never fall prey to the thirst of sin and death. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.