John 4:14 “But whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst.”

On our way back from a Spanish holiday, my wife and I, and two dear friends who had accompanied us, had settled down to enjoy the return flight. About 30 minutes into the flight we noticed that our friend Roy had become rather cold and agitated. He asked for a blanket. Then he visibly started to shake, and commented that he couldn’t get heat into him.  His wife called the cabin attendant who proceeded to question him about his general state of health. He assured her that he had been fine and had no problems whatsoever while on holiday. The stewardess thought for a moment and said, “How long ago was it since you had a drink of water?”  Roy looked quizzically at her and replied that it had been several hours, as the plane had been delayed a long time. It was now mid-afternoon and we left our apartments at nine that morning. In fact, they had herded us all into a large departure lounge without a vending machine or even a water tap. Meanwhile, he had been the only one of us four that hadn’t taken one drink of water during all this time. The stewardess smiled and looked relieved, saying, that she would be back in a moment with lots of water.  When Roy got a few drinks of water he was as right-as rain in 20 minutes.  It was a graphic illustration of just how dependent we all are on such a simple, but vital thing, as water. Without it we die.  In a very hot climates we become acutely aware of this precious commodity. Jesus, who lived in the Middle East, saw the value of using water as an illustration, not only of this life, but spiritual life.  He said that the life He offers is as indispensable to our souls as water is to our bodies.

Jesus had a long conversation with a Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well. He said in effect, that the water she had come to draw would only satisfy her physical thirst but for a moment. But if she took of the water He was offering she would never thirst again.  John 4:14 “But whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.” Jesus fourth beatitude says, (Mt.5:6) “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled.” There are lots of well out there where men drink at, but they never satisfy. That old Hymn based on Jeremiah 2:13 sums it up beautifully.  “I tried the broken cisterns Lord. But, ah! The waters failed! E’en as I stooped to drink they fled, and mocked me as I wailed.” Chorus  “Now none but Christ can satisfy, None other name for me, There’s love and life and lasting joy,  Lord Jesus found in thee.” He is the living water that was offered to the woman at the well. His offer of Himself to you today will mean you will never thirst again. 

- Pastor David Goudy