I’m Thirsty!

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Scripture
John 7:37   On the last day of the festival, the great day, while Jesus was standing there, he cried out, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me, 38 and let the one who believes in me drink. As the scripture has said, ‘Out of the believer’s heart shall flow rivers of living water.’” 39 Now he said this about the Spirit, which believers in him were to receive; for as yet there was no Spirit, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

Observation

While Jesus spoke these words during one festival, it would be on the great festival of the Feast of Weeks that Spirit would be poured out on all those who were waiting and praying in the upper room. It was during this earlier festival that Jesus spoke of the coming of the Holy Spirit. The metaphor Jesus used was about thirsting. The desire for the Holy Spirit is to be as visceral as one who is dying of thirst in a desert. The sweet and refreshing water of life is found in the infilling presence of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer. Not only will the individual be filled — but filled to overflowing which will reach out and quench the thirst of others. 

Application

As I prepare for this Pentecost Sunday I recognize that I am thirsty. Physically I’ve been quite thirsty this whole week as I’ve been battling a cold. Taking decongestants on a regular basis I am all dried up and need lots of fluids. I am going through water like crazy, because I am thirsty.

But am I that thirsty for the presence of the Holy Spirit in my life? I think back on the determination of those who had been in the upper room. They stayed and they prayed and they waited, not knowing the outcome. Jesus had told them to go and wait for the one he would send — but what would that look like? But they were thirsty. They wanted to be filled with everything that Jesus had to offer. Their desire was to know him above all else and so, if Jesus told them to go and wait, they would go and wait. Having had a little taste of Jesus, all they knew was that they desperately wanted more.

I desperately want more of Jesus in my life. I’m thirsty for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit into and through my life to others. I want to know Christ in more and deeper ways, participating in the kingdom mission. Today, I am just plain thirsty — and so I pray for the Spirit to fill me anew to overflowing. Will you join me? 

Prayer

Lord, please, refresh me with your Spirit today.  Amen.


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