On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink.” (John 7:37)
Expanded Passage: John 7:37-39
Our drive through Death Valley was treacherous. It was so hot! When we stopped to make lunchmeat sandwiches, I wondered if the meat in the sandwiches would spoil before we ate them. At a gas station, my husband wanted a drink of water. He went to the fountain, but even the water in the fountain was hot! There were gallon bottles of water set alongside the highway to be used in cars if they overheated. It was scary!
Years ago, we lived by a beautiful waterfall. It was so fresh with the mist spewing over us. How refreshing! In another home, we drilled into an artesian spring. Every time we took a drink of that water, it was like the most thirst-quenching, satisfying water we had ever drunk.
Do we need water? Yes! But Jesus is offering a drink that is even better than our artesian spring water. He is inviting us to partake in “living water,” the Holy Spirit. Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to be our guide, our comforter, and our insight into the things of God. Then we are able to be stronger, more courageous, have more confidence, and be the vessel through which he can work. We can then truly fulfill God’s plan for our lives. Let’s pray that God’s Holy Spirit will fill us to overflowing so that we can live the lives he has intended for us.
Drink deep of the “living water.”
Jeannette Carroll is a retired Wesleyan pastor’s wife, a God-called teacher, writer, and musician. She resides in Florida.
© 2025 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
