The Flow!

The Flow!

John 7:38 AMPC

[38] He who believes in Me [who cleaves to and trusts in and relies on Me] as the Scripture has said, From his innermost being shall flow [continuously] springs and rivers of living water.

As it has always been mentioned, Jesus almost always had a crowd following Him everywhere He went. He was a beacon of Truth, who would not bend to fit anyone's expectation. The events that led to the verse above was the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles. Reflect on this: the feast was a reminder of the experiences of Israel as it journeyed through the wilderness on the way to the promised land. This was an opportunity to remind themselves of the mighty acts of God, but sadly, it had become a religious assembly of various competing interests. The initial purpose behind the festival had been forgotten, and the One who was the fulfilment of the Law was being ignored and harassed. The prayer is that I do not get stuck on outward performance at the expense of inner witness of the presence of God in me. May I not sacrifice the eternal for human applause. 

This was the background to the verse above. It was time for the feast, and the usual crowd was there. As you read the verses before the one above, you find references to the brothers of Jesus, the mass of the people, the leaders of the Jews, the Pharisees, a lot of the Jews themselves, and even Nicodemus. Different people who would play different roles in the life of Jesus whilst He was on earth. As always, whatever it is that Jesus offers is for all who would come to Him on His terms. My current title does not matter; what is critical is that I am where God can reach, touch, mold and launch me out as His own to the world. His brothers mocked Him, wanting Him to show Himself to the world for applause and approval. The Pharisees and Jewish leaders were looking for opportunities to arrest Him. The crowd was mixed: some believed Him, and others were just looking for the next big thing. The question still applies to all of us today: 'why are you looking for Jesus'? 

This was what Jesus addressed in the verse above. He was speaking to all the parties referred to above, and the same offer still stands today. Anyone who believes in Him is open to the inflow that makes the difference. It is not just about hearing or reading about Him: it is about believing in Him. To believe is to have faith in the existence, truth, or value of someone or something. It implies confidence. It also means the complete exclusion of all others options. The offer by Jesus is a work in my inner man, the evidence of which cannot be silenced or ignored. To have springs and rivers of living water flowing from my innermost being means a  never-failing supply. It means that there is nothing outside of me that can stop or hinder the flow from inside me. It is the presence of Jesus in me that can guarantee this. It is my most important possession. Do you have Him? Do I? God's time of favour is here.