Jesus spoke these words to the crowds at the Festival of Booths, commemorating the tents the Israelites slept in during their 40 years in the wilderness.
Throughout the festival, Jesus preached God’s truth, which upset many of the religious authorities who had gathered. The authorities were becoming increasingly nervous about Jesus’ rise to power, a completely different power than their interpretations of the law.
Jesus knew that his physical time on earth was coming to an end. It was now more important than ever to share the promise and love that God was bringing to the world. Times were difficult in antiquity; there was deep poverty and much hunger and thirst. Jesus’ words gave his followers a new hope for the future that things could be different. All were loved, all would be fed, and no one would thirst.
Can you imagine how these words would have affected those listening to Jesus speak for the first time? Can you imagine the excitement and relief they felt?
Loving God, through the life of your Son, you gave water to all who were thirsty. Help us to continue to believe and trust in you through the presence of the Holy Spirit. Amen. —