URC Daily Devotion 5th June 2025

St John 7:  37 – 39

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,  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.”’  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.

Reflection

Biblical scholars tell us that the Festival of Tabernacles included a daily ceremony of carrying a pitcher of water in procession, with singing, up to the Temple and then pouring the water into a vessel at the altar until it overflowed to the ground.  Details vary in different sources, but you get the point. 

As he so often does, Jesus uses what is going on around him to express the new reality rooted in his identity and purpose.  He picks up this acted-out theology of the precious water pouring forth, and declares that he can and will quench the thirst of those who open themselves to him.  He cries out that what he is offering will transform believers to be bringers of life in parched places.

I invite you to travel with me downstream of these rivers of living water.  What happens where they flow?  In imagination and recall can you recognise in your own life’s journey situations in which you have been revived by such rivers?

As I pause to consider this, I recall both individuals and church communities, past and present.  People bringing into my life insight, challenge, comfort, hope, solidarity, direction, curiosity, friendship, understanding, encouragement, financial support – the list goes on.  So many people from whom have flowed life giving energy.  This was no idle claim that Jesus made.  Rivers of living water do indeed flow.

We have grandsons who attend a small primary school in a little coastal town.  The mixed year classes are appropriately named: Raindrops (Foundation); Streams (years 1 & 2); Rivers (years 3 & 4); Oceans (years 5 & 6).  This comes to mind as I read today’s verses.   Yes, perhaps we do start with contributing mere raindrop quantities of ‘life-givingness’.  But these combine into streams, and then rivers, and behold – the world is awash with an ocean of living water. 

Prayer

Thank you, Lord, that you satisfy our thirst.  Thank you for enabling rivers of living water to flow from your people. Today I acknowledge my thirst and my need for daily replenishment. Help me to be a life-giver for others as others are for me.  In your name, Amen