Water...
It is a necessary ingredient in all forms of life.
Without it, we can't survive.
Our bodies can't have physical life without physical water (H2O).
Our spirits can't have eternal life without eternal, living water (Jesus).
Here are some great articles to inform you of the importance of both physical and living water:
John 4:14 "But no one who drinks the water I give will ever be thirsty again.
The water I give is like a flowing fountain that gives eternal life."
How many times is "water" mentioned in the Bible and how significant is it?
I have run the references to water (or derivatives of it) in scripture and come up with 722. The significance of water in scripture is a huge question, and one that will take up more space than I have here. Perhaps I can give you just a few thoughts that will wet your appetite for further study.
The first mention of water in scripture is found in Genesis 1:2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
. In between those two books water flows right through the pages of scripture. This should teach is that there is a great spiritual significance to it.
Water speaks of physical (or natural) birth
And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven.
, we read of the first mention of life, and this life comes from water, "...Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life...". This thought is again repeated in the New Testament in John 3 when Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews is asking questions of Jesus. In verse 5 we read, "Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." Notice here, the water birth (physical) comes before the Spirit birth (spiritual). We see the reality of this when a woman is in labour and the baby is about to be born. We wait for the 'waters to break' which surround the baby until birth. We cannot be spiritually re-born until we have first been naturally born.
Water speaks to us of the word of God
That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
, concerning the church we read, "That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word." The Psalmist in Psalm 119:9 Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.
writes "Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word." Reading the Bible has a cleansing effect on the reader. Christians would do well to sit and read, study and meditate together on the word of God. In the Tabernacle in the Old Testament, we read in Exodus 30:18 Thou shalt also make a laver of brass, and his foot also of brass, to wash withal: and thou shalt put it between the tabernacle of the congregation and the altar, and thou shalt put water therein.
that Moses was to make a laver of brass and put water in it. This was to be situated between the Tabernacle and the altar. The priests were to wash their hands and feet in this when they went into the Tabernacle "that they die not". They needed to purified. The Lord was telling them that they constantly needed to have their feet cleaned. We see a picture of this in John 13. The Lord Jesus washes the disciples feet. They were already washed, but needed their feet washing.
Consider the words of verses 9-10 "Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all."
Note that Lord (v14) then tells the disciples that they ought also to wash each others feet, "If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet." It seems to me that this is a future instruction, as at this point their feet were clean. Surely, spiritually speaking, we wash each others feet through reading the word of God. That's why the Lord said in John 15:3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.
"Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken to you." In the Christian life, we all need to be purified from the filth of this world, we all need our feet cleaned.
Water speaks to us of the purification of the Christian
This is really linked to the previous consideration, but the following verses are interesting to ponder on. Concerning the nation of Israel in a future day, the following words are recorded in Ezekiel 36:25 Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.
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Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.
Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.
This is a promise from God for a time when Israel returns to Him (see vs 24-38). However, there is also clearly an application here for the sinner who comes to Christ when we compare this verse with Hebrews 10:22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
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Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
Water speaks to us of spiritual life
In Genesis 2 we read of the perfect conditions of the garden of Eden. This garden was watered by a river (v10). Without water, the garden would have died, as plants, animals and humans cannot survive without water. It seems to me that this river is a beautiful picture of the life that Christ gives to His children through the Spirit of God. Consider the following verses that speak of this:
Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.
Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses do so in the sight of the elders of Israel.
[2] Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation. [3] Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.
Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation. Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.
Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.
HO, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.
For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.
For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.
But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.
But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.
[38] He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. [39] (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)
He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given: because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)
This water is the everlasting life that we enjoy now in Christ. That's why the scripture says in 1 John 5:12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
"He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life." Without water there cannot be life: Without the Lord Jesus Christ there cannot be eternal life. It's interesting to me that the greatest expanse of water in the world today is the sea. The sea in scripture is a fascinating subject, and one we can't go into here. However, I would encourage you to look at the references and you will see that the sea often speaks to us of restlessness and tribulation (See Matthew 14:22-33 [22] And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away. [23] And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone. [24] But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. [25] And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. [26] And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. [27] But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. [28] And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. [29] And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. [30] But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. [31] And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? [32] And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. [33] Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.
[47] And when even was come, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land. [48] And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them. [49] But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out: [50] For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid. [51] And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered. [52] For they considered not the miracle of the loaves: for their heart was hardened.
[15] When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone. [16] And when even was now come, his disciples went down unto the sea, [17] And entered into a ship, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was now dark, and Jesus was not come to them. [18] And the sea arose by reason of a great wind that blew. [19] So when they had rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, they see Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing nigh unto the ship: and they were afraid. [20] But he saith unto them, It is I; be not afraid. [21] Then they willingly received him into the ship: and immediately the ship was at the land whither they went.
). Note, in all of these passages, the seas were calmed by the Lord Jesus. When we follow these thoughts through, we read those lovely words in Revelation 21:1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.
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And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.
AND I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea."
No more sea in Heaven, no more restlesness, no more tribulation, all calmed by the Lord Jesus Christ forever. However, although there will be no more sea in Heaven, there will be water, eternal water that flows forever.
[1] And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. [2] In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.
AND he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.
There may be other spiritual types for water that I haven't considered, but the above are the ones that spring to mind. I'll leave you with the final reference to water in the Bible found in Revelation 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
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And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel.
And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
Jonathan Hewett
©2001-2011 Learn the Bible
John now takes us to Jesus' shocking, clear claim made on the last and greatest day of the Feast (John 7:37). On each day of the feast there was a procession of priests to the pool of Siloam to draw water (m. Sukka 4:9). The priests returned to the temple, where the water was taken in procession once around the altar with the choir chanting Psalms 113-118, and then the water was poured out as a libation at the morning sacrifice. All-night revelry lead up to this morning libation. This was a time of joy so great that it was said, "He that never has seen the joy of the Beth he-She'ubah [water-drawing] has never in his life seen joy" (m. Sukka 5:1; cf. Deut 16:14-15; Jubilees 16:20, 25). This joy was associated with Isaiah 12:3, "With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation." On the seventh day of the festival the priests processed around the altar with the water not once but seven times (Bloch 1980:200; cf. Beasley-Murray 1987:113 for a more detailed description).
At this high point of the festival Jesus dramatically cries out loudly (krazo, as in John7:28), If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink (John7:37). If he spoke this invitation during the revelry, he would have to shout just to be heard. But we have also an allusion to the image of Wisdom, calling out, inviting all mankind to come and drink (cf. Prov 8--9; Sirach 24:19). What Jesus offers is the fulfillment of the very things they were celebrating. Here is grace upon grace (Jn 1:16). Here the Son is repeating the offer of the Father, "Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters" (Is 55:1). Indeed, he is fulfilling the role of God, who "will guide them and lead them beside springs of water" (Is 49:10). His offer shows he is far more than just a prophet or an agent; here we have God himself offering us life.
In Jewish writings water is a very rich symbol (cf. Goppelt 1972:318-22). God himself can be called "the spring of living water" (Jer 2:13; 17:13). Other texts that use water imagery speak of Wisdom (Baruch 3:12; Sirach 15:3; 24:21, 25-27, 30-31), the law (Sifre on Deuteronomy 48) and, as here in John 7:39, the Holy Spirit (Genesis Rabbah 70:8; Targum of Isaiah 44:3). Jesus, in offering the Spirit (v. 39), is claiming to be able to satisfy people's thirst for God. The cries of the psalmists are answered. David prayed, "O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water" (Ps 63:1). The sons of Korah sang, "As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?" (Ps 42:1-2). Both of these psalms go on to speak of meeting God in the temple: David has seen God in the sanctuary (Ps 63:2), and the sons of Korah speak of "leading the procession to the house of God, with shouts of joy and thanksgiving among the festive throng" (Ps 42:4). When Jesus cries out at the end of the Feast of Tabernacles on this particular day, the worshipers meet God in his sanctuary--in the person of his Son. The longing for God is met with God's invitation to come and be satisfied. In Jesus, God's own desire for man is expressed and the desire of man for God is met. All that the temple represented is now found in Jesus.
This invitation to come and drink is the climax of a series of references to water in this Gospel: the water turned to wine (chap. 2), the water of the new birth (chap. 3), the living water (chap. 4), the cleansing water of Bethesda (chap. 5) and the calming of the waters (chap. 6). All of these have revealed Jesus as the agent of God who brings God's gracious offer of life.
In offering them the Spirit he is claiming that the age to come has already arrived. Just as water flowed out from the Garden of Eden (Gen 2:10-14), so a river flows from the eschatological temple (Ezek 47). Ezekiel's vision has begun to be fulfilled in Jesus' offer in the temple, and it will come to completion in heaven in "the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb" (Rev 22:1). That heavenly water of life is already available through Jesus. His invitation at the Feast of Tabernacles is repeated in the invitation at the end of the book of Revelation: "Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life" (Rev 22:17).
The words of Jesus' invitation echo in our ears. Jesus stands at the doors of our hearts and speaks to the heart of each person on earth, offering the water of eternal life--the life that flows from God. Evangelism is a matter of our giving voice to this spiritual call. Christians need to hold up Jesus in all his beauty, that those with a desire for God may find the God who is offering himself.
While Jesus is clearly offering the water of the Spirit, it is not entirely clear to whom him refers (v. 38). Both the ancient church and modern scholars are divided over whether him refers to Jesus or the believer (cf. NIV text and margin). A reference here to Christ is more in keeping with John's thought. Christ is clearly described as the one through whom believers receive the Spirit; he breathes on them and says, "Receive the Holy Spirit" (20:22). Although John 4:14--"Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life"--refers to the believer with language similar to that in verse 38, Jesus speaks there not of an outward flow to others, but of an inward well of eternal life. Christ indeed dwells in believers and radiates from them his light and life and love, but, despite the claims of some contemporary ministers, believers do not mediate the Spirit to others. Rather, they bear witness to Jesus (4:39), and people come to him (4:40-42) and receive the living water of the Spirit (4:10) from him. This is clear in the context of Jesus' invitation, for it is to himself that he invites the people to come (7:38) and those who believe in him are the ones who receive the Spirit (7:39).
No Old Testament verse speaks of living water that flows from within him, him being either a believer or the Messiah. But there are many Scriptures that speak of God's provision of water as evidence of his grace and as an image of his gift of life in his presence. Indeed, many of these texts were read at this festival, such as the gift of water from the rock (Ex 17:1-6), the water from the eschatological temple (Ezek 47:1-11; cf. Joel 3:18) and the water from Jerusalem that will flow in the age to come (Zech 14:8; cf. Beasley-Murray 1987:116). In Nehemiah there is a reference to the water from the rock in the wilderness (Neh 9:15), which is followed by a description of God's gracious provision: "You gave your good Spirit to instruct them. You did not withhold your manna from their mouths, and you gave them water for their thirst" (9:20; cf. Carson 1991:326-27). In Nehemiah the focus is on the giving of the law, but the connection between the gift of the Spirit and the giving of manna and water suggests correlations in the Jewish tradition. Given John's motif of Jesus as the fulfillment of God's earlier revelation, the reference here to Scripture probably recalls a general set of images in the Old Testament rather than one particular text. Jesus provides the promised water of the age to come, which was itself a fulfillment of earlier provisions of water.
The people could not receive this Spirit until Jesus was glorified (Jn 7:39), that is, until his death (cf. 12:16, 23; 17:1). In the Son's death the glory of God shines brightest since God is love and love is the laying down of one's life (1 Jn 4:8; 3:16). One of the Spirit's roles is to bear witness to Jesus (Jn 15:26), and he could not do this until the revelation was complete. Until the Son's death, the heart of God could not be known and thus eternal life, which is knowledge of God (Jn 17:3), could not yet be experienced (cf. 1 Jn 2:20). Until the death of the Son, the life of God could not be conveyed by the Spirit.
Jesus' offer of the Spirit is both universal and addressed to individuals: If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink (v. 37). The first requirement is thirst. Everyone has spiritual thirst, for it is part of the human condition. Our need, our thirst, is what we bring to our relationship with God. This verse is one of many revealing, diagnostic texts in John. What do we thirst for? What do we really desire? Sin is our seeking relief from this thirst in something other than God.
Jesus invites those who know their need, those who are poor in spirit (cf. Mt 5:3), to take the initiative and come to him and drink (v. 37). Drinking refers to believing (cf. v. 38), which means aligning oneself with him, trusting him, receiving his teaching and obeying his commands. Such faith will enable one to receive the Spirit and enter an abiding relationship with Christ after his glorification. All of this is based on who God is and what he has done for us. When we believe we open our hands to receive what his grace offers--we come and drink.
Now, for Water and Our Physical Bodies...
It is difficult for many of us to realize that something as easy as WATER could be the common denominator for so many daily functions of the body.
The common, not NORMAL but COMMON, health issues people are facing today could be helped by simply changing what beverages and how much they are drinking. Our research may lead us to learn that our bodies may not be SICK, but THIRSTY.
- Blood: Our blood is approximately 75% water and is truly vital for the transportation of nutrients into our bodies. Water is necessary to many functions in our bodies including the maintenance of cell structure and transporting oxygen throughout our blood stream. If we are indeed dehydrated, our blood becomes thicker and our bodies have to work much too hard to get the blood to circulate. Once the body signals us that we are THIRSTY, it’s already too late – we are already dehydrated.
- Skin: Our skin acts as a water reservoir and helps with the fluid regulation of our whole body. Being dehydrated can change the total appearance of our skin. In mild dehydration our skin may appear flushed, dry and loose with a loss of elasticity and may look older than it really is. Water is also lost from our body through sweat. Often times, we drink LESS water in the winter; more hot drinks such as teas, hot chocolate and flavored coffees are soothing, thus causing DRY SKIN to occur in winter months. It is NOT the dry weather nor the furnaces in our homes that are the only culprits to this seasonal malady.
- Bladder: Our bodies lose water through the skin, lungs and feces, but most water is lost as urine. A reduced urine output is a useful indicator of dehydration and signals the need to increase our water intake. Drinking plenty of water helps prevent urinary tract infections and kidney stones.
- Kidneys: Our kidneys control the amount of water in our bodies; filtering our blood and excreting waste products in our urine, leaving nutrients in the bloodstream. Our kidneys play a key role in controlling blood pressure. If our kidneys cannot function properly due to dehydration it can lead to high blood pressure.
- Heart: Dehydration can actually have an impact on the mechanical functions of our hearts. Cells shrink when dehydrated which could affect the transmission of the electrical impulses that stimulate our heart muscles to contract.
Copyright © 2011 Gail's Scoop...Keeping JoCo KS Moms Informed - all rights reserved
This is a guest post from Cathy Weaver.
As previously stated, water is the common denominator to the normal functions of our bodies. To learn more about alkaline, ionized water contact Cathy Weaver.
Cathy has been in the field of health and wellness since 1991 and in 2008 co-founded a company called Miracles With Water. Once introduced to Kangen Water™ in June of that year, Cathy realized that our bodies are indeed DEHYDRATED. As a Molecular Hydration Specialist, Cathy has been able to witness lives changing as a result of changing the water people are drinking. To learn more about ionized, alkalized Kangen Water™. She can be found on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
Copyright © 2011 Gail's Scoop...Keeping JoCo KS Moms Informed - all rights reserved
