Clean, Pure Water

Read: John 7:37-39
On the last day, the climax of the festival, Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, “Anyone who is thirsty may come to Me!” (John 7:37).

A small, gurgling stream in the forest. Silky ripples, floating leaves, water flowing smoothly around rocks and branches. Liquid as clear as crystal, revealing the pebbles on the stream bed. I scoop my hands and splash my face. It washes clean the sweat and grit—this water that deeply cleanses.

A long-awaited storm in a drought-stricken land. Rain falls, soaking soil, trickling down tree bark, dripping off leaves. The soil sprouts new shoots, the tree stands strong again, the leaves begin to flourish, and children jump joyfully in the puddles—all from this water that deeply renews.

Refreshing, cleansing, renewing. Without water we would be thirsty, dirty, and lifeless. So when Jesus uses water as a metaphor to describe Himself, we do well to listen.

This water refreshes us. “Anyone who is thirsty may come to me!” Jesus shouts to us (John 7:37). The water He offers refreshes forever, becoming a “fresh, bubbling spring” within us as we drink it in (John 4:14). This water cleanses our sweaty, dusty feet (John 13:6-10), and washes away our dirty, gritty sins (1 John 1:9). This water renews us. All who drink of it will have rivers of life burst forth from their heart (John 7:38), bubbling springs that bring eternal life (John 4:14). Indeed, the One who quenches our deepest thirst is making all things new (Revelation 21:5-6).

Jesus is the clear, pure, corruption-free water that refreshes, cleanses, and renews. “Anyone who believes in Me may come and drink!” He says (John 7:38). Come again to the very source of life itself.

Taken from “Our Daily Journey”