There is a thirst that physical water cannot quench, a longing that nothing in this world can satisfy. Is it possible to quench this thirst and find spiritual fulfillment? How?
One day Jesus approached a woman who was drawing water from a well and asked a drink from her. It was a way to strike up a conversation with her. Later, he challenged her to ask “living water” from him. Jesus told her that whoever drinks this “living water” will never thirst again. Of course, he was not referring to the physical water that the woman was drawing from the well.
Jesus said, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again. But anyone who drinks the water I give will never be thirsty again. The water I give people will be like a spring flowing inside them. It will bring them eternal life.”
(John 4: 13-14)
Deep within all of us, there is a spiritual vacuum. We may have great wealth, riches, fame and success—all the things that man worships and runs after—but we will not be satisfied.
Why? Because all these external things do not give adequate answers to deep, perplexing questions such as: What is the meaning of life? Who am I? Why am I born into this world? Who created me? Am I merely a creature of chance or a product of a supreme being who is a designer par excellence? Am I born to accomplish a special purpose that God has set for my life? Or am I just like an animal born with needs and appetites that have to be met?
According to Blaise Pascal, a physicist and philosopher, there is a God-shaped vacuum in the heart of every man which cannot be filled by any created thing, but only by God.
There is a thirst that physical water cannot quench, a longing that nothing in this world can satisfy. This thirst and longing are not for physical things but for spiritual fulfillment, which can only be found in God.
Jesus told this woman that if she drank this “living water” from Him, two things will happen to her:
- Firstly, she would be able to quench her thirst and fill the spiritual vacuum in her life.
- Secondly, she will obtain eternal life—that is, when she dies, she will go to heaven and spend the rest of eternity with God.
To drink the “living water” that Jesus offers is tantamount to accepting Jesus, agreeing to the claims He made about Himself and assimilating the truths about Him into our lives.
When we drink of this “living water", we will obtain eternal life.
Furthermore, when we drink of this life-giving water, we will not thirst anymore.
Here are ten reasons why we will not thirst anymore:
1. Fear of death will be a thing of the past. Believers are delivered from the fear of death to which we have been subject to lifelong bondage. We rest in the blessed hope that death is not the end but the beginning of a life spent in eternity with God (1 Corinthians 15:55).
2. Life is no longer meaningless, an endless cycle of activities and striving after the wind. We are no longer filled with despair and despondency. We are no longer lost and confused about life. We no longer see ourselves as creatures who came into this world by chance. We are created by God, who loves us and has a plan and destiny for our lives.
3. We become a child of God. We are grateful that we have a heavenly Father who loves us, thinks of our welfare and what is best for our lives—though it may not be in line with what we think is ideal for us (Jeremiah 29:11).
4. God is our friend and guide, ready to counsel us in life issues such as our work, career and choice of life partner (John 15: 15, John 16: 13).
5. He fills us with the Holy Spirit who lives within us, gives us wisdom and direction, and empowers us to obey Him (John 7: 37-39).
6. God promises to meet all our needs when we trust and obey Him (John 15:7, Philippians 4:19).
7. His promise is that He will never leave us, especially in times of trouble (Hebrews 13:5, Matthew 28:20). Though He does not shield us from trials, He will not forsake us and will give us the strength and wisdom to weather the storms of life. When we are worried, God grants us peace, comfort and strength (John 14:27, Matthew 11:28, John 16:33, Isaiah 40:31).
8. He gives us the strength to overcome temptation through His Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 10: 13).
9. He reveals to us our identity and calling. Thus, we have a sense of purpose and destiny in life. Every day is an exciting adventure where God, as our co-worker, shows us how to utilise our time, talents and resources to please Him and bless others (John 15:16, Jeremiah 1:5). Life is fulfilling and meaningful; no longer an “accident” anymore (John 10:10).
10. We are able to face an uncertain future because we know God is with us. He is the Alpha and the Omega, the One who is the beginning and the end. We are safe when we know that He is in full control of the earth and universe (Psalm 46:1-3,10).
Even today, Jesus’ challenge to anyone who thirsts for reality still holds true: “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water’” (John 7: 37-38).
Would you take up the challenge to be filled to the brim till you overflow?
Just like the woman at the well, we can drink and be satisfied … till we thirst no more.
APPENDIX
HOW CAN WE OBTAIN ETERNAL LIFE?
If we acknowledge we have sinned and believe that Jesus died on the cross for our sins, God will forgive us and we will go to heaven when we pass away. But we must not only trust Jesus as our Saviour but make Him the Lord of our lives. We must turn away from our sinful ways and seek to please and obey Him (John 1:12, John 3:16).
WHY ‘WATER’ USED AS A METAPHOR
Why did Jesus use the metaphor of ‘water’ to reach out to this woman? Water is essential for physical life. Also, water is a symbol of the Holy Spirit. The imagery of a spring bubbling forth speaks of the spontaneous outflow and working of the Spirit within a person (John 7: 37-38, 2 Corinthians 3:18). Once the Spirit starts a work of grace within a believer, He brings it to completion (Philippians 1:6). http://bit.ly/1aGn7T6
Why did Jesus use the act of drinking in relation to spiritual fulfillment? In Revelation 3:20, Christ invites those who want to know God to open their heart’s door and share a meal with Him. Dining is often a wonderful way to get to know a person better.
NO FEAR OF DEATH
Everyone who believes in Jesus need not fear death for He promises a place in heaven for all who believe in Him (John 11:25, John 14:1-3).
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live.
(John 11:25)
“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.
(John 14:1-3)
ETERNAL LIFE THROUGH FAITH
To all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.
(John 1:12)
For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.
(John 3:16)
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WHAT IS THE MEANING OF LIFE?
People are motivated by different goals in life. Some live for fame or power. Others get enamoured with money or pleasure. However, some are driven by noble objectives such as helping the poor, fighting human trafficking or preserving the environment, which give them a sense of fulfillment in life. But will all these things really satisfy man’s deepest longings?
CAN SCIENCE SHOW US THE MEANING OF LIFE?
Can man’s great understanding of the world around him enable him to find meaning and purpose in life?
EXTERNAL LINKS
Pic Source: The Cornerstone
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE BORN AGAIN?
“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:38). Peter was giving them the plan of salvation: repentance, baptism, and the infilling of the Holy Ghost. If being born again is to be saved, Peter was evidently talking to them about being saved.
http://www.endtime.com/what-do-you-mean-born-again/
There is a longing
only You can fill
A raging tempest
only You can still
My soul is thirsty Lord
to know You as I'm known
Drink from the river
that flows before Your throne.
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