Whoever believes in me, as scripture says: “Rivers of living water will flow from within him.” John 7:38 NABRE
Chapter seven of the good news captured by John, begins with a weeklong festival. Jesus is in the temple area to teach and has amazed with His knowledge of scripture. On the last day of the festival he calls to anyone who is thirsty to come and drink from Him. Then He proclaims; “Whoever believes in me, as scripture says: ‘Rivers of living water will flow from within him.’” Water is life. Several places in scripture refer to water as a source of life. In the opening verse of scripture we read “a river rises in Eden.” the source of all water upon the earth. (Genesis 2:10-14) The prophet Isaiah invites all who are thirsty to come; an open invitation to a heavenly banquet (55). The prophet Ezekiel paints a beautiful image of water flowing out of the temple. It is teeming with life; creatures and fish, along the banks every kind of fruit tree. A hopeful prophecy meant for those in exile. It invokes an image of paradise, water revitalizing everything along is path. Water signifies blessing and grace. It is the symbol of God’s grace in Baptism, it flows from Christ dying on the cross, signifying new life. Jesus is telling us, if we believe in Him, we too can bring new life to others. We can have the water of new life flow from us and bring new life to a friend or foe, to family or stranger.
It is wonderful that Jesus doesn’t say we have to know scripture, just believe. This belief is contained in a few ideas, Jesus is the Messiah, he came to create new life, we are made to love and to make new disciples. Belief is the source of new life. “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you and your household will be saved.” (Acts 16:31)
Do you believe in Jesus? And what He has taught? Are you a source of life to those around you?
Water signifies blessing and grace. It is the symbol of God’s grace in Baptism, it flows from Christ dying on the cross, signifying new life. Jesus is telling us, if we believe in Him, we too can bring new life to others. Click To Tweet#bible #godisgreat #jesus#christianity#dailybibleverse @youversion#belief#water #newlife #john#everybodyalways#god #jesuschrist#jesussaves #godisgood#dailydevotion#biblestudy #scripture#bibleverse#verseoftheday #pray #prayer#goodnews#loveeachother #godisgreat#bocaraton#youversion #everythingalways