Never Thirst Again
Have you ever felt a deep thirst that left you painfully longing for water?
Usually when we talk about thirst we’re talking about our physical need for fluids for our body. Our internal system is incredible as it is always measuring at different checkpoints within our body to make sure we have a balanced water to salt ratio. If it is off, the body signals our brain and that causes us to thirst.
Since the human body is mostly made up of water, that is what we crave. When we get low on water our thirst mechanism springs into action, causing us to crave the thing needed most.
The Bible talks about a thirst that goes beyond our physical need.
Did you know that your soul could be thirsty?
One of my favorite holidays on the Jewish calendar is among the fall feasts: Sukkot (The Feast of Tabernacles; see Leviticus 23:33-36). It is the last of the fall feasts and considered the most joyous!
While similar to Thanksgiving Day in the U.S., in comparison to Sukkot, Thanksgiving looks like a sapling next to a mighty oak.
Imagine with me a week in which you are commanded to go up to Jerusalem to rejoice before the Lord in thanksgiving, feasting, resting, and remembering God’s faithfulness; a week to go camping with your family and entire community.
Each family is commanded to build a booth to dwell in for seven days. It was a temporary shelter with three walls and a thatched roof so the stars can be seen each night.
These sukkahs (meaning booths from which the holiday derives its name) are decorated with flowers and fruit (Leviticus 23:40-43). This exercise was to remind the Jewish people of the exodus from Egypt and how God sustained them in the wilderness.
One of the Jewish ceremonies during Sukkot is a water libation procession. History tells of the Levitical priest who would take a golden vessel to the fountain of Siloam, draw water from the pool and ascend back up to the altar to pour the water into the basin near the altar. This was no quiet procession. It was a parade of JOY, singing, dancing, and waving palm and willow branches.
The last day and greatest day of the feast is called Hoshana Rabba (meaning “the Great Salvation”). John chapter seven speaks of how Jesus went up to Jerusalem to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles (Booths). His teachings during that week left the people rattled – thirsty, if you will. Some were in awe of His teaching and others accused Him of wrongdoing.
The Jews therefore marveled, saying, “How is it that this man has learning, when he has never studied?” (John 7:15).
Some of the people of Jerusalem therefore said, ”Is not this the man whom they seek to kill? And here he is, speaking openly, and they say nothing to him! Can it be that the authorities really know that this is the [Messiah]?” (John 7:25).
It was to these seekers and accusers during the water libation ceremony that Jesus makes this grand invitation. Imagine it…on the last day of the feast, the parade of JOY up to the altar. The priest in white singing and the sound of rattling palm branches.
The week of remembering God’s faithfulness when they wandered in the desert, manna from heaven, water from the rock, the serpent on the pole to make the sick well.
Jesus stands up as the crowd is silent before the water is poured at the base of the altar.
On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “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).
This was the same invitation He gave the Samaritan woman: “Drink from the water I give, and you will never thirst again” (paraphrased John 4:13-14).
Jesus identifies the greatest need of a soul. It wasn’t physical water He was referring to but the Spirit of the Living God. Water is a symbol of the Holy Spirit.
“Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified” (John 7:39).
This Living Water being offered was not a “what” but a “WHO.” Jesus was offering the ultimate satisfaction in the Person of God the Holy Spirit.
Access to the Holy Spirit can only come through Jesus. He was foreshadowed in the Torah in the rock that Moses struck and the water flowed out, quenching the thirst of the seeker. Jesus would be “struck” in His crucifixion and out of that injury mankind would encounter the One for whom our souls thirst, the Holy Spirit.
Is your soul thirsty?
Are you like the people of Jerusalem – commanded to rejoice before the Lord and yet jaded, skeptical, unbelieving, and longing for more?
The way of JOY is found in the Messiah Jesus, who made a way for the Spirit to be poured out in our parched souls. The invitation still stands; come to Him, put your full confidence in His work and drink deeply from the well of salvation, so that your joy overflows.
“With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation” (Isaiah 12:3).
Written by Kori, Life in Messiah staff
Is your soul thirsty today? Come to Him and His Word and find refreshment.
What would it look like to choose joy for a week this fall season?
Is this your first time hearing about Sukkot (The Feast of Tabernacles)? Check out Sukkot to learn more.