Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on Tue, 08/12/2009 – 14:25
Bible Book: John / Johannes
Chapter: 7
Verse: 37 – 39
Text: John 7:37-39
(Read as scripture John 7:14-17, 37-43 and 2 Corinthians 1:1-7.)
Jesus’s invitation to all who are thirsty (John 7:37), can also ring out on AIDS Memorial Day – when people remember their loved ones who have died and remind themselves of how short life is.
John’s explanation that Jesus’s promise of ‘streams of living water’ refers to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, creates an opportunity to speak about the meaning of Pentecost Sunday. The fact that the Holy Spirit came, means that God responds to our deepest thirst, longing and pain. But He doesn’t do it in such a way that only the individual finds inner peace. The Holy Spirit does not only quench our thirst, He ‘flows through’ us to touch others too.
This reminds us of God’s promise to Abram, “I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing … and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you” (Gen 12:2-3).
This also reminds us of Paul’s words to the Corinthians, “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God” (2 Cor 1:3-4).
The Holy Spirit came to remind us – of what Jesus had done for us and had taught us. He came to comfort us, for even though our daily memories fill us with sadness, we will never again be completely alone.
The Holy Spirit came to equip us and lead us into the future. Not only does He make us look back, but He also makes us look around us to one another, makes us look into the future with hope. For He reminds us that the One who came, is the same One who is on his way to meet us in the future.
Author: N du Toit (Ds)
Language: English