WAS JESUS TALKING ABOUT LIVING WATER?

 MYSTERY OF THE WATER part four

A MODERN PARABLE

Hike Boss: “God has made an incredible waterfalls.  We’re going to continue our discussion of the Mystery of the Water.  Jesus' voice is like rushing water."

"Do you have to be baptized in water to be saved and to be baptized to receive the Holy Spirit?  Jesus gave a serious warning, unless one is born of water and Spirit he will not see and will not enter his kingdom."

Peter replies, “We can invite Jesus in our lives and receive the Holy Spirit anywhere. People are saved at church, crusades, concerts, outdoors and even at home.”

Ruthie adds, "The good thief believed in Jesus, dying on the cross he was promised to see paradise; yet he was never baptized."

Matthew adds, “Jesus gave us his Comforter after he ascended.  After Pentecost many people believed in Jesus, were baptized and received the Holy Spirit." 

Hike Boss continues, “Could there be a piece of the “water” puzzle we are missing?  One piece that’s a better fit to our picture?"

Dan blurts out, “I still believe born of water refers to water baptism.”  

Ruthie adds, “If Jesus was here, we could ask him what he means by born of water?”

Hike Boss smiles, “You’re right Ruthie, lets ask Jesus.  If you remember the Bible was written without chapter breaks.  In the next chapter of John, Jesus actually defines what he means by water.  Who would like to read?"

Debra reads, “Jesus answered and said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again.  But whoever drinks of this water which I will give to him will never be thirsty for eternity, but the water which I will give to him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.” The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water, so that I will not be thirsty or come here to draw water!”  (John 4:13-15 LEB  Lexham English Bible)

James responds, “Wow, I never thought the missing piece of the puzzle might be living water.”

Hike Boss continues, “Now let’s look at what Jesus said on the last day of the Feast of Booths in John 7.”

Susanna reads, “On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.”  By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.”  

(John 7:37-39  NIV  New International Version)

Matthew remarks, “On first seven days of the feast, the priest would go down to the pool of Siloam and fill up a pitcher of water.  He would carry it back, pouring it in a silver basin by the altar of burnt offerings.  He would tell the story of Moses splitting the rock and river of water gushing out of it; while pouring the water out of the pitcher."  

"On the eighth day, the priest is not to bring any water. On that day Jesus shows up talking about living water.”

James says, "After Jesus was glorified and ascended into heaven, believers were filled with Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost.  He gave believer the Comforter."

Hike Boss comments, “Well done Matthew and James.”

Sally, “I still believe born of water is natural birth, and you can’t change my mind.”

Hike Boss, “Tomorrow, before we pack up and go home, we will have our final discussion.”