Prayer – Lesson 6, The Water of Life
Heavenly Father, help our teachers today to clearly explain how Christ provides living water … and how we may obtain it. In Jesus' name, Amen.
The Symbolism of Living Water
In "Word Focus" Darrell Grim writes:
Rivers of living water (John 7:38). Each day of the Feast of Tabernacles the people came with palm branches to the Temple. They would hold the palms in the air and march around the great altar. While they did this, the priest would take a golden pitcher, which held about two pints, and fill it at the pool of Siloam. It was then carried back through the Water Gate as the people recited Isaiah 12:3 — “With joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.” The water was then poured on the altar as an offering to God. At that point the Hallel (Ps. 113 — 118) was sung. At specified points in the singing the people would raise their palm branches and shout to the Lord. On the last day of the feast they marched seven times around the altar in memory of their seven-day march around the walls of Jericho. It was in the midst of this symbolism that Jesus stood and proclaimed the true water of life.
Discussion: With this cultural background, how do you think the Jewish people "heard" Jesus' proclamation that He could provide them living water?
Source: Jesus, Son of God: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 34.
Water from the Lord’s House
“Afterward he brought me again unto the door of the house; and, behold, waters issued out from under the threshold of the house eastward: for the forefront of the house stood toward the east, and the waters came down from under from the right side of the house, at the south side of the altar” (Ezekiel 47:1).
As a young Christian, I never wanted to miss a church service. I felt the need to be there for Sunday school, morning worship, the Sunday evening service, and Wednesday night prayer
meeting. In fact, it felt like I needed to be there all the time. Our pastor always encouraged us to be faithful to God’s house. He said that we would miss out on a blessing if we were not consistent in our attendance. How true! I found this out the few times that I was not there! Indeed, I had missed out on a blessing.
Ezekiel was led to follow the water coming out of God’s house. The further he went, the deeper the water became. Even so, the deeper we go with the Lord; the greater are the blessings from above, richer are the insights from His Word, and victorious are the spiritual battles which end with Christ at our side. He alone is the “water of life,” but it is up to us to step into the water. (James Baker)
Step into the water
Wade out a little bit deeper
Wet your feet in the water of His love
Step into the water
Wade out a little bit deeper
Come join angels singing praise to the Lamb of God
--L. Kirk Talley
Go deeper with Christ; He was lifted high for us.
This devotional is the Tuesday, April 5, 2016 entry of Opening the Word.
The Water of Life
Lesson 6 - April 10, 2016
Focus Text: John 4:7-14; 7:37-39; Revelation 7:15-17
Central Truth: The "living water" supplied by Christ abundantly satisfies the thirsty soul.
Objective: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to state how one can obtain the living water.
Lesson Outline:
- The Living Water (John 4:7-14)
- The Invitation to Drink (John 7:37-39)
- No More Thirst (Revelation 7:15-17)