John 7:37-39 (NRSV)
Read John 7:37-39 on biblegateway.com
Verse 37On the last day of the festival, the great day, while Jesus was standing there, he cried out, "Let anyone who is thirsty come to me, Verse 38and let the one who believes in me drink. As the scripture has said, 'Out of the believer's heart shall flow rivers of living water.'" Verse 39Now he said this about the Spirit, which believers in him were to receive; for as yet there was no Spirit, because Jesus was not yet glorified.
Devotion
Why do people come to church? To worship, to pray, to sing and maybe to meet friends, but especially to be fed and watered. The hope is that they go home fed and satisfied. But what if they do not meet Jesus in the service or do not hear the Good News, and leave hungry and thirsty?
It has been said that it is nearly impossible to pronounce the absolution on oneself. So reading the Bible and praying at home will still leave thirsts that only Jesus’ word of forgiveness on the pastor’s lips can provide. Faith comes from hearing our Lord’s words and voice. Then from faith in the heart come all those other spiritual gifts which the Lord bestows.
Unlike the situation in John 7, we live in the Pentecost season. God’s Spirit has been given to all the baptized. Christ’s living word from the pulpit and the altar brings vitality, satisfaction and hope to the hearers. Is that not why we go to church?
Prayer
Lord, we come to you because we hunger and thirst for living water. Only you can satisfy us. Amen.