A Reading from John 7:37-39 (N.T. Wright's Translation)
37“On the last day of the festival, the great final celebration, Jesus stood up and shouted out, “If anybody’s thirsty, they should come to me and have a drink! 38Anyone who believes in me will have rivers of living water flowing out of their heart, just like the Bible says!” 39He said this about the spirit, which people who believed in him were to receive. The spirit wasn’t available yet, because Jesus was not yet glorified.”
What an incredible promise! Think of this: “rivers of living water flowing out of their heart”. Do you know, from your own experience, what Jesus is referring to? Can you say without question that you have rivers of living water flowing from the depths of your heart?
If you cannot confidently say that then you are presently missing out on the fulfillment of what could arguably be the greatest promise Jesus made to his disciples: he promised them, and us, the overflowing, life-giving, empowering presence of the fulness of the Holy Spirit.
So what are these “rivers of living water” like? Here are some ideas: a distinct awareness of Jesus’ presence; a constant renewal of inner strength and stamina; the steady presence of inner rest, peace, and joy; a hope-filled attitude; endless patience and kindness; boundless forgiveness. Think of all that and much more flowing from deep within you!
Almost every promise we find in Scripture comes with conditions: “If you do this…then such ’n such will happen….” This promise is no different: “If anybody’s thirsty,…(then) they should come…” So just how thirsty are you? How much do you desire what Jesus is talking about? 1 (sort of desire) …… 5 (kinda interested) …… 10 (very thirsty — I don’t want to live a day without it)? Frankly, only a 10 will do here.
If you are a “10” then go straight to Jesus and ask him to (1) point out to you anything that could interfere in any way with him pouring out his promise on you, then (2) immediately surrender the matter to him or act on anything he shows you could be obstructing then, (3) ask him and keep on asking for this gift until, beyond all doubt, you know that he has answered. Something as big and precious as this doesn’t just happen to you unawares. You will know.
