Reading

• John 7:2-8:11

Devotional

Six months before His crucifixion, Jesus went to Jerusalem to attend the Feast of Tabernacles, one of three ceremonial feasts of the Jews. Halfway through the feast, Jesus went up to the temple and began to teach. People were amazed at Jesus’ teachings because they didn’t think He could know so much without having been a student of the Law. The people were greatly divided over Jesus. Some believed He was the Messiah, the Christ, while others felt He deceived people. The Pharisees sent the temple guards to arrest Jesus, but they were unable because it wasn’t yet Jesus’ time to be put to death.

³⁷ 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. ³⁸ Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” ³⁹ By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.
(John 7:37-39 NIV)

In this life there are good days and bad days. People seek for meaning in all kinds of pursuits and efforts. In the end, however, people find emptiness in pursuing all of these things. They find that nothing satisfies or provides purpose and meaning to life and to what we are here for. Jesus offers a solution to these problems—Himself. Jesus offers water that will not leave you still thirsting.

When you find Jesus, you receive a purpose, a family, a new name, a new identity, a fresh start, forgiveness, redemption, healing, a future, a host of promises—and enemies. Jesus offers these things that are found nowhere else. It’s why you were created, to fulfill GOD’s plan for your life. He is ready to share the journey of life with you as you travel to heaven. It’s exciting, scary, happy, sad and depressing all at the same time. Oh, and the downsides of life in Christ, they’re all temporary, whereas the blessings are eternal. It’s not easy, but it’s so very worth it. Come on, follow Jesus and drink the living water He offers.