On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water." John 7:37-38 NKJV
In 1907, a Haverhill, MA, physician named Duncan MacDougall conducted a strange experiment that attempted to determine the soul's weight by weighing a person before and after death (21 grams or .75 ounces). Many scholars have refuted the study, and his results have never been replicated. Although not detectable by any x-ray, MRI, scan, or surgery, nor by any scientific means, we believe the soul exists, a belief held by the world's major religions and even non-believers.
As Christians, we believe the role of the soul is twofold, to worship our Creator and to bring purpose to our lives (read Genesis 1-2). After the fall of man, the soul's natural state is one of thirst, constantly seeking to satisfy the spiritual thirst. Unfortunately, in searching to quench the aridness of our souls, we frequently look in the wrong places and chase false gods looking for relief. Though we may find fleeting respite from our search, a sip of water flat, tasteless, non-living water, it's simply that, a temporary pause in our seeking.
In Jesus, we are offered living water by the Holy Spirit, the only thing that can satisfy our thirst. Instead of an occasional sip from the fountain of sin, we are offered a fresh, sweet, eternal spring; we never need to thirst again. Sometimes, however, it may seem the spring is running dry, but upon introspection, we find the debris of sin has blocked the source. Regular spring maintenance is required; we must pluck out the leaves and candy wrappers clogging the sweet water. We prevent this by studying God's word, conversing with him, and responding to his grace.
Heavenly Father, thank you for the living water of the Holy Spirit. Please help us to help those searching to quench their thirst and help us keep our springs clean. We pray this in Jesus' name. Amen.
Blessings,
Pastor Tim
Comments