Living Waters

On 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, and 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.'" Now 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.

When they heard these words, some in the crowd said, "This is really the prophet." Others said, "This is the Messiah." But some asked, "Surely the Messiah does not come from Galilee, does he? Has not the scripture said that the Messiah is descended from David and comes from Bethlehem, the village where David lived?" So there was a division in the crowd because of him. Some of them wanted to arrest him, but no one laid hands on him.

Then the temple police went back to the chief priests and Pharisees, who asked them, "Why did you not arrest him?" The police answered, "Never has anyone spoken like this!" Then the Pharisees replied, "Surely you have not been deceived too, have you? Has any one of the authorities or of the Pharisees believed in him? But this crowd, which does not know the law—they are accursed." Nicodemus, who had gone to Jesus before, and who was one of them, asked, "Our law does not judge people without first giving them a hearing to find out what they are doing, does it?" They replied, "Surely you are not also from Galilee, are you? Search and you will see that no prophet is to arise from Galilee." John 7:37-52 

I have tried to figure out whether snow is really living water. So cold and stagnant, stacked up here eight feet high, it seems to have no life, no use, except for the beauty it provides by moon and starlight. The challenges it affords are many. Today though, we are beginning to see a thaw, and the once frozen walls of snow are growing shorter and more mobile by the hour. Even the glacier formations we named are on the move. I am reminded that a warm moment can change everything and a warm heart, a compassionate, caring friend can change the tide of our lives completely.

Jesus is preaching amidst the festival and confusion arises. Some people are very moved, the authorities demonized him, and others are ready to attack. When we are in transition, and we find ourselves confused, too often, we react by attacking or demonizing. But when we are moved by God, our hearts are warmed, and we are able to be life and support for others.

Today, I ask Jesus to help me be a warm heart, a place of healing and life rather than a person of reaction. May we be moved by the love of God and make our hearts a warming place, a place where those who were bound and stuck can be free to live again.