"Thirst Quenched!"

Grace, Mercy and Peace to you from God our Father and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,

In today’s Gospel reading (John 7:37-39) Jesus locates the source of “living waters.”  He is the source. And for those who believe in Him, they too will become sources of this outpouring upon the world by the power of the Holy Spirit.  

During the seven day Feast of Tabernacles or tents where God’s preservation of the people of Israel in the wilderness is celebrated, there is much water being poured out at the temple.  On each of the seven mornings a priest fills a golden pitcher with water as the choir repeated words from Isaiah 12:3 “With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.” Water was then poured on the base of the altar and on the seventh day, the priest poured water seven times into a silver funnel surrounding the altar.

 It is in this context that Jesus stood up on the last and greatest day of the feast and answered the people’s prayers for water in a way that was totally unexpected.  He stood and cried out, “"If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink!”  Jesus identifies himself as the source. He is the well of salvation from which one draws for life.

 But this message is only good news for the thirsty. Not thirsty in a mundane sense where we are looking for a drink to satisfy our physical thirst.  Jesus is not giving out bottled water or six packs of your favorite libation. 

Jesus is providing the solution for spiritual thirst. He is the solution for those who are burdened by the Law. He is for those who have examined themselves against the measure of God’s Word and have fallen short.  He is for those who realize they are unable to keep the law even though it is commanded and fear the consequences. It is for these souls that Jesus’ message comes as a welcome satisfying and thirst quenching message.  "If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink!”

The problem is that the world and our flesh are not looking for this type of solution. In our natural state we thirst only for that which moistens the throat, which increases our bank accounts, which satisfies our egos.  And in our pursuit for happiness Jesus becomes a solution looking for a problem. 

Among the religious the problem comes in the search for holiness.  It comes from trying to keep the law.  Are we like the rich young ruler who looks at his works and decides that he is doing a pretty good job of keeping the letter of the law.  He did not murder anyone. He takes care and honors his parents. He does not lie at least too much.  He neither steals or is jealous or at least so he thinks.

This self righteous man does not come to Jesus looking for forgiveness or righteousness but more suggestions as to how he can further perfect the perfect life he believes he is leading. Perhaps he was looking for Jesus to complement him on his progress in living the sanctified life and walking the walk.  This is what he was getting from the other Rabbis, suggestions on how to honor God.

 But instead Jesus preaches repentance by exposing the young rich man’s idolatry.  His quest to become perfect in honoring God was itself an idol. This man was dry and thirsting and did not realize it. He had forgotten that he is a sinner and that only God could save him.

 I can tell you from personal experience that looking upon your works to judge your relationship with God is a futile and unsatisfying exercise.  There was a few times in my illness as I laid on my bed in the hospital that I thought I may not survive this.  And as a consequence started to take account of what I had accomplished in my life. I can tell you this exercise gave me no comfort in fact it made me spiritually thirsty. I was crushed by my sins.  

 I called Pastor Jones from St. Paul’s of Long Beach and he came to see me.  Pastor Jones did not try to assuage my thirst with his own personality by telling me funny stories or telling me that I am a good person and I will be alright but he went right to work listening to my confession and absolving me. He gave me Jesus through God’s Word and through the Sacrament.  My thirsty soul was quenched. 

As my health improved I became less thirsty. And I am afraid that is how it is, the further from danger we perceive ourselves to be, the less we desire His forgiveness.

Jesus is there for the thirsty He is not for the self satisfied, but for the thirsty. He does not disappoint and causes through the Holy Spirit fountains of living water to flow from the Christian. 

In the Gospel of John it is on the cross, where Jesus is glorified,  that He gives forth the Spirit.  From His pierced side flow both water and blood the two witnesses as John later calls them.  The water and the Spirit from Jesus’ pierced side flows to our baptism. The Spirit is the Spirit of life. Jesus gives this Spirit this life to all who believe in Him as Savior and it is this gift of faith that we receive through the living waters of baptism.

In the instructions on baptism found in the Didache, a first century Christian written in use during the apostolic age, it is recommended that “living waters” or flowing waters are used to baptize.  If this is not available then the pastor is to pour the water over the baptized three times in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The waters of baptism with the Spirit are a flowing and a pouring deluge.

 This happened dramatically on the day of Pentecost when the Spirit was poured out in a flood like fashion upon the Apostles and disciples of Jesus. In this deluge they were enabled and equipped to preach the Gospel in many languages. But the miracle isn’t just found in the manifestation of languages but in the preaching of Jesus in all its truth.  This resulted in a flood of water needed to baptize three thousand repentant thirsty people.    

For you Christian, Jesus promises from a cleansed heart these same living waters flow. They flow when you bring your children to the font. They flow when we bring your family to church. They flow when you teach your children the faith and when the family gathers to pray. They flow when you support the ministry. They flow when you serve your neighbor in your vocation. 

Again from the prophet Isaiah,

With joy you  will draw water from the wells of salvation.  And you will say in that day:
“Give thanks to the Lord,  call upon his name, make known his deeds among the peoples,
  proclaim that his name is exalted. Sing praises to the Lord, for he has done gloriously;
  let this be made known in all the earth. Shout, and sing for joy, O inhabitant of Zion,
  for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.”  (Isaiah 12:3-6)

The Holy One of Israel is in your midst here in this place. He provides you through the testimony of the water and blood with the Holy Spirit satisfaction for your thirst for righteousness. Jesus thirsted for your righteousness on the cross where He became sin and bore your sin. His thirst was satisfied as the Father accepted His sacrifice and restored and resurrected Him so that you may be clothed with righteousness.

With the joy of forgiveness draw water from the well of salvation!
Glory be to the Holy Trinity! Amen!