Scripture: Psalm 23, Exodus 17, 1 Corinthians 10, John 7, Revelation 22
Over the past few weeks, we’ve been looking at Jesus as our Shepherd, how He leads us, provides for us, and protects us. This week, we focused on one of the most powerful images in Scripture—Living Water.
Water is essential to life. We can go weeks without food but only days without water. It’s no surprise, then, that Jesus often used water as a spiritual metaphor. Just as our bodies cannot survive without water, our souls cannot thrive without Christ. In Psalm 23, we read, “He leads me beside still waters.” The Good Shepherd ensures that His sheep have what they need, not just physically, but spiritually.
Water in the Wilderness (Exodus 17:1-6)
In Exodus 17, the Israelites found themselves in the wilderness, desperate for water. They quickly turned on Moses, questioning why God had brought them out of Egypt only to let them die of thirst. But God had a plan. He told Moses to strike a rock, and from it, water would flow to satisfy the people.
This wasn’t just a miracle—it was a picture of something much greater. The rock represented Christ. Just as Moses struck the rock and water flowed, Jesus would be struck for our sins so that living water could flow into our lives (through the Holy Spirit). Paul confirms this in 1 Corinthians 10:4, saying,
“…they drank from the spiritual rock that followed them, and the rock was Christ.”
How often do we find ourselves spiritually dry? Feeling empty, worn out, and desperate for something more? Just like the Israelites, we often forget that God has already provided exactly what we need. But instead of trusting Him, we grumble, doubt, and look elsewhere for fulfillment.
Jesus, The Source of Living Water (John 7:37-39)
Fast forward to the New Testament. Jesus stood up in the middle of the Feast of Tabernacles, a festival where the priests would pour out water as a symbol of God’s provision. At that moment, He declared:
“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)
Jesus was saying, I am the fulfillment of everything you’re looking for. The Israelites needed physical water, but what they truly needed was spiritual life, found only in Christ.
How many of us spend our lives chasing after temporary things—money, relationships, success—hoping they will quench our thirst? But no matter how much we drink from the world, we’re left empty. Jesus is the only source of true satisfaction. He doesn’t just give us enough to survive—He gives us enough to overflow.
We Were Made to Overflow (Revelation 22:17)
When Jesus fills us with living water, it’s not just for us. He wants us to overflow—to lead others to the source of living water (Jesus). Revelation 22:17 gives us a powerful image of this:
“The Spirit and the Bride (The Church) say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely."
We live in a world filled with people longing for more. People searching for meaning, identity, and purpose in all the wrong places. If we have received the Living Water, we are called to invite others to drink.
So What Now?
Jesus was struck for us so that we might be filled. But we aren’t called to just survive—we are called to thrive.
Reflection Questions:
Are you spiritually thirsty? Have you been trying to fill yourself with things that will never satisfy?
Are you just surviving, or are you overflowing with living water that blesses others?
Who in your life is spiritually thirsty? How can you share Jesus with them?
That’s what we talked about this week. If you missed it, go back and watch—it’s a message we all need to hear.
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