Rivers of Living Water
One of the most compassionate and yet profound accounts in Jesus’ ministry was when He met the Samaritan woman at the well. Culturally speaking, Jesus had every reason to avoid her. She was not only a Samaritan, a people shunned by the Jews, but was also an obvious sinner. I am sure that the fact that she came to the well at an hour in which others from the village were not there, showed her rejection by the people in the community. She was a “loose” woman, who had gone through several husbands and illicit relationships. Yet, instead of turning His back on her, Jesus engaged her in conversation. This woman was surprised that a Jew would ask of her for water, let alone talk to her. But more than wanting something from her, Jesus was desiring to give her the most precious gift of all, and that was eternal life.
Just as Jesus had told Nicodemus that eternal life was a result of being born anew by the Holy Spirit, he explained that the Spirit of God, in a person, was like a spring of water, welling up to eternal life. This woman excitedly said to Jesus: “Give me this water…” (John 4.15) At this point in the conversation, she was still thinking in terms of temporal satisfaction, but Jesus was patient with her and went on to explain more about the Holy Spirit. This resulted, not only in her transformation, but in the salvation of many in her village. Just as a well supplies all the water one needs to sustain life, the Spirit of God is the One who gives us access into all that God has for us. His presence in our life transforms us into the Father’s image and supplies all our needs. Throughout His ministry on earth, Jesus was intent on explaining the work and purpose of the Holy Spirit.
A little after Jesus had this conversation with the woman at the well, he told his disciples that when the Holy Spirit would come, He would be like a river of living water flowing out of them. (John 7.38) There is a difference between a well and a river. A well supplies salvation for the individual and a river brings this living water to others. This talks of two distinct experiences and purposes. After the resurrection, Jesus breathed into the disciples to receive the Holy Spirit. (John 20.22) This is salvation. They believed that Jesus died and rose again from the dead and they received the Holy Spirit. (Romans 10.9-10) But this was not all. Jesus told them of a baptism of the Holy Spirit that would empower them to take the Gospel to the nations. On the first day of Pentecost, 120 believers were baptized in the Holy Spirit and began speaking in tongues. The river of living water began to flow out them to others, which resulted in 3000 people saved and baptized in water.
When I received the Lord as Savior, God really transformed my life. I was delivered from drugs, my mind was healed and I was at peace. I returned from Germany to my home in Alaska and began to attend my parent’s church. I shared with my friends the experience I had had with Jesus, but they just laughed it off as just one more thing I was into. I struggled with the desires of the flesh and was frustrated with my unfruitfulness. God lead me to a group of young people that were meeting for prayer and Bible study. They talked about the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, which seemed so strange to me, especially the “speaking in tongues”. I tried to rationalize it as not necessary and not for everyone until I felt the Lord ask me: “If it is from Me, wouldn’t you want it?” I said “yes”, and immediately started to speak in tongues. Shortly after this experience a number of my friends came to the Lord. The river was flowing.
Scriptures to meditate on:
John 3.6; 4.14; 7.38; 15.26; 16.7; Is. 55.1-3; 58.11; Gal. 5.25; Acts 1.8; 2.4