GodReflection: Come and See—God Saved the Best for Now

“Come and see,” said Philip (John 1:46).

“Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now” (John 2: 10).

I’ve never been thirsty—I mean like the experience of days without a drop of anything liquid. Were I able to step outside of my body and observe myself, I would probably be astonished at how often I go for water. I’m talking anything that drips or pours.

My water world isn’t dependent upon wells, open springs and muddy water holes. Long trail hikes with empty containers in search of water is not my reality.

We humans must have repetitive water intake to survive. God used this reality, a thirsty woman and a distant well to setup an attention getting invitation. What if someone offered water with the guarantee, “One drink will last forever?”

In my last post John introduced a Jewish God follower named Nicodemus. The apostle wants us to come and see a Water-Spirit birth. This one who comes through Water and Spirit is God’s best saved for our now. However, the Water-Spirit gift was not limited to insiders. It is a God gift offered to all creation.

So immediately after the introduction to the religious ruler, John takes us to Jesus who stands ready to meet a foreign outcast at a well. The Nicodemus conversation is repeated with a woman who Jews would envision as outside the reach of Holy God. She too is invited to come and see God saved the best for now.

The conversation begins when a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.) The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.) Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water” (John 4: 7-10).

In the beginning God’s Holy Spirit hovered over the waters ready to create (Genesis 1:1). Now, the Gospel of John pictures God’s Holy Spirit as a resident in living water ready to create eternal life from within.

 Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life” (John 4:13-14)

There are times I wonder if the grandeur of God’s gift fades behind the glaze of familiarity with the generosity of Holy action. Jesus’ claim is dramatic. I can give you water that satisfies forever.  I echo anew the woman’s request, “Sir, give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty” (John 4:15).

Millions of Christ followers have tested his claim and found it to be true. As I struggled for words to express this promise of Jesus I came across a hymn written almost two centuries ago by the Scottish poet and churchman, Horatius Bonar. It’s a hymn I remember from childhood.

I heard the voice of Jesus say, “Behold, I freely give.  The living water; thirsty one, stoop down, and drink, and live.” I came to Jesus, and I drank of that life-giving stream;
My thirst was quenched, my soul revived, and now I live in Him.

God saved the best for now. Come and see new water. One drink will last forever. If you are thirsty why not stoop down and take a free drink?

Come and see.

Stay tuned.

Dr. Gary J. Sorrells

A GodReflection: Come and See New Water—One Drink will Last Forever

Gary@Godreflection.org      www.GodReflection.org

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