These words of Jesus come at the culmination of the annual Feast of Tabernacles. This feast is an embodied celebration of God’s living presence among us – of God making his home with and within us through the Holy Spirit. This indwelling Spirit is available to anyone and everyone. As the Spirit flows into us, so it can flow out from us to bring life giving water to others and the world around us. May the spillover from our hearts water seeds teeming with goodness and new life for this generation and the ones to come.
John 7:37-39 (NLT)
On the last day, the climax of the festival, Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, “Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! 38 Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’” 39 (When he said “living water,” he was speaking of the Spirit, who would be given to everyone believing in him. But the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet entered into his glory.)
For Reflection and Prayer:
Was there a word, a phrase, image, or feeling that ‘shimmered’ as you listened? Allow it to land in your heart and repeat it. Savor it.
Reflect on what you heard. What effect has it had on you? What meaning does it hold for you? What does the Holy Spirit seem to be conveying to you? Talk it over in your prayer. Perhaps you want to draw or color your prayer or journal the conversation.
As the time of prayer comes to a close, share some moments of quiet with Jesus, simply resting in his presence.
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