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JESUS -- THE WATER OF LIFE

By George W. Sinquefield

John 4:5 through John 4:15 (KJV)
5Then cometh he to a city of Samaria, which is called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. 6Now Jacob’s well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour. 7There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink. 8(For his disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat.) 9Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans. 10Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water. 11The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water? 12Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle? 13Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: 14But 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. 15The woman saith unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw.

        There are many passages in the Bible where the humanity and the deity of Jesus are both mentioned. Here at Sychar in His humanity He was tired and hot. In his deity He knew the heart and soul of this sinful woman. He knew that deep down she possessed a thirst far greater than her thirst for water from the well.

        Again at the grave of Lazarus, His humanity caused Him to weep as He saw others weeping. His deity caused Him to say, "Lazarus, come forth" and one that was dead came to life again.

        Jesus is spoken of many times in the Old Testament. He is the preexistent One. When God told Moses to go to the children of Israel and tell them that He was going to deliver them from Egyptian bondage, when they ask, "Who sent you?" he was to tell them, "I Am that I Am. I Am hath sent me unto you" (Exodus 3:14). One of the names of God is "I Am." I Am the past, the present and the future.

        In the Gospel of John , chapter 8 Jesus talking to the Pharisees said, "Before Abraham was, I Am." So in the New Testament Jesus claimed to be what He was in the Old Testament -- "I Am."
 

John 6:35
35And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.

John 8:12
12Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

John 10:9
9I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

John 10:14 through John 10:15
14I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. 15As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.

John 11:25
25Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:

John 14:6
6Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

John 15:5
5I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
 

John 4:13 through John 4:14
13Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: 14But 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.

        Why did Jesus us water as a symbol of salvation? I suggest several reasons:
 

1.    It quenches thirst.
2.    It meets a universal need.
3.    It cleanses.
4.    It is free.
5.    It is powerful.
6.    It gives eternal satisfaction.
7.    It descends from Heaven.
8.    It is indispensable to life.

      We are cleansed physically by water and this is very important, not only for our health's sake but that we may be acceptable in the presence of others -- so that our B.O. does not offend others. Jesus, the Water of Life, cleanses from sin by His precious blood.

1 John 1:7
7But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
 

1 John 1:9
9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

      A leper came to Jesus seeking to be made clean.

Mark 1:40 through Mark 1:42
40And there came a leper to him, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him, and saying unto him, If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. 41And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean. 42And as soon as he had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed.

        Leprosy in the Bible is a type or picture of sin. When one realizes his filthiness, his sinfulness, his depravity and his corruption before God and cries out, "Lord, if you will you can make me clean," He will say to that one, "I will, be thou clean." And he as the leper, will be cleansed. The confession of sin and acceptance of Jesus as Savior brings divine cleansing. "His blood cleanseth us from all sin."

        The old publican cried out, "God be merciful to me a sinner" and Jesus said he went down to his house justified. To be justified is to be declared not guilty or as one has put it -- "just as if I have never sinned." When one is saved, cleansed by His blood, he is clothed with the righteousness of Christ and he stands before God as clean, as righteous as Jesus Himself.

1 Corinthians 1:30
30But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

2 Corinthians 5:21
21For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

        When the prodigal son got home after wasting his life, his health and his money, his father said to the servants, "Put a robe on him. He is my son, he was lost and is now found." When a lost sinner comes out of darkness, out of sin, out of the devil's hog pen and accepts Jesus as Savior our Heavenly Father will welcome him and put on him the robe of His own righteousness and declare him justified -- not guilty.

II.    Water quenches thirst.

        Nothing quenches our thirst like water. Other liquids can keep us alive but they cannot quench our thirst like water. This woman of Samaria had a thirst that could not be satisfied with water from the well. You may not be conscious of it, but if you do not have Jesus, the Water of Life, you are as thirsty as this woman was. There is a longing in your heart for more than just water. There is an emptiness which will never be satisfied until you drink the water of life. Yes, people are thirsty and like God's people of old, are trying to satisfy that thirst with things of this world.

Jeremiah 2:13
13For 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.

        During the Civil War, a wounded soldier was begging for water. "Give me water, please give me water." A captain on the other side said he was going to take water to him. His buddies said, "you'll be filled with lead as soon as you leave this trench." He said, "I may die but I can't stand to hear a man cry for water." He laid aside his coat and gun and started across the enemy line with his canteen filled with water. He stepped over dead bodies to get to this dying, suffering soldier. He gave him water and went back to his squadron. There was not a shot but there was the applauding of those on both sides.

        Now there is a story more wonderful than that. This old sinful, thirsty world was crying out for water.

Psalms 42:1 through Psalms 42:2
1 As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.
2 My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?
 

Psalms 63:1
1 O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;
 

Psalms 143:6
6 I stretch forth my hands unto thee: my soul thirsteth after thee, as a thirsty land.
Selah

        Jesus is the living water for a dry and thirsty world. Hear Jesus again, "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" (John 4:14).

III.    It give eternal satisfaction

        Jesus, the Water of Life satisfies.

John 4:13 through John 4:14
13Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: 14But 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.

John 6:35
35And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.

        "Never thirst," what does it mean? It means that once you are saved, you will never thirst for salvation again. God meets that need in your life once and forever. You say to me, "Preacher do you believe that once you're saved you are always safe and secure in the Lord?" I answer, "Yes I do believe that we are saved once and forever." The following Scriptures very definitely teach that.

John 3:36
36He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

John 5:24
24Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

John 6:47
47Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.

        It also means that we will never be dissatisfied with our Lord. We've heard many say that they felt the Lord was not satisfied with their life and service but never have we heard anyone say that he was dissatisfied with Jesus.

        Jesus said "The water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life." His blessings just keep coming and living with and for Him gets sweeter day by day.

1 Peter 2:6 (KJV)
6Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.

        Old David said in II Samuel 23:15, "Oh that one would give me drink of the water of the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate!" David said, "I know there are enemies between us and that well, but I want a drink out of the well of Bethlehem." Nothing would satisfy him but that. So, three brave men went through the enemy lines and brought the water at the risk of their lives. An nothing will satisfy the thirsty soul except the water Jesus gives.

IV.    Water is indispensable to life.

        We cannot live without water. A note was found beside the body of a dead woman in the desert. It read, "I am without water. I must have water. I cannot hold out much longer." Life is short without water. Wars have been fought over water because man must have it in order to live.

        Dr. William L. Stidger tells of a conversation he had with an intelligent and educated Filipino. Dr. Stidger asked, "What is the most useful thing that the Americans have contributed to the Philippines?" The answer, "Why, the most wonderful thing that the Americans brought to us in the American occupation of our islands was the artesian well. That has saved our babies from death." "Thank God for water" he said again. "I believe, that I have uttered that prayer from the depths of my heart more times than I have uttered any other prayer in my life. You would know what it meant to us if you had been here from the beginning as some of us have." "Yes" said another member of the party. "I used to see mothers lean over with their brown babies on their hips, brush away the green scum from stagnant pools along the roads and let their children drink from these pools of disease and death."

        "Didn't they know any better?" I asked. "They had no better. It wasn't a matter of knowing any better. See how they use these artesian wells now that they have them." Dr. Stidger continues, "He didn't need to call that to my attention. It was wonderfully apparent. I stood one entire morning photographing people as they came to these wells. It was one of the most thrilling mornings I ever put in. I saw the miracle of water in action."

V.    It meets the universal need.

        There is plenty for all -- enough to quench the thirst of every boy and girl, man and woman in this world. The invitation is to "whosoever will."

Revelation 22:17 (KJV)
17And 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.

        Have you ever watched the water that pours continuously over the rocks at Niagara Falls? Have you ever thought of the millions of flowers that bloom in the fields and woods where no human eye ever sees them? The water and flowers are not a waste; they picture the bountiful way God gives because of His unfailing goodness and grace. An d He invites us to draw freely by faith on His infinite resources until we are fully satisfied.

        A little boy had an accident and was taken to a hospital. After he was made comfortable, a nurse brought him a large glass of milk. He looked longingly at it, but did not pick it up. He had come from a poor home where his hunger was seldom satisfied. If he ever received a glass of milk, it was only partly filled, and even that had to be shared with another child. Finally he looked up at the nurse and asked, "How deep may I drink?" The nurse tenderly replied, "Drink it all! There's more." So too, there is no limit to the grace of God of which we may freely partake.

        The incident is told of a fishing boat stranded on one of the great lakes. The motor conked out, and the boat drifted around for about three days. Eventually, another boat appeared. when asked by the captain of the rescue boat if he could be of help, the men on the stranded boat, said, "Yes, we have been out here for three days without drinking water. We are starving. Do you have enough to spare us some?"

        "Why, yes, sure we do," answered the captain. "But why did you not just dip some out of the lake and drink?"

        "Oh, we never thought of that. We just assumed it was ocean salt water, and was undrinkable."

        They tripped on the simplicity. The lake water was fresh water and plentiful. All they needed to do was dip it up and drink.

VI.    It is free.

        You say it can't be for once a month you receive a bill. That bill is the charge for pumping it to you. You may have a well and have to pay for the current used to pump it into the house but the water is free. Any home or cafe will give you a glass of water if you ask for it.
 

Revelation 21:6 (KJV)
6And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.

Isaiah 55:1 (KJV)
1Ho, 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.

        It is hard to get people to believe you when you say, "I'm going to give you something." People will say, "Well, it's a gimmick. There's a trick to it." I'm the same way. when a fellow comes to my door -- and, listen, a lot of times it is a gimmick -- and says, "I'm going to give you this brush or this comb or this magazine," I used to take them, but it obligated me so much that I don't take that kind of gift anymore.

        Salvation, the greatest gift a man will ever receive is free. God says, "I'm going to give it to you. The price has been paid and all I ask of you is that you take." One says, "I've got to straighten up first." The Lord says, "No, I am going to give it to you. Another says, "I've got to be baptized in order to get it." The Lord says, "No, it is by grace through faith." A man says, "I've got to join the church. I've got to give God something, do something special for Him. I've got to turn over a new leaf." "No, no," the Lords says. "It is free. It is my gift to you."

VII.    Water is powerful.
 
 

John 4:14 (KJV)
14But 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.

John 7:37 through John 7:39 (KJV)
37In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. 38He 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.)

        The Amazon River is 4000 miles long, the longest river in the world. It reaches almost from coast to coast. If the power of this river with its great tributaries could be harnessed, it would furnish enough electricity for every home, business and hut in the world.

        God, the Holy Spirit, indwells a saved person and enables him to do whatever he should do.

1 Corinthians 6:19 (KJV)
19What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

        Jesus, referring to this great regenerating force said, "Out of his inmost being shall flow rivers of living water."

        Before Jesus left this world He said, "I have all power in Heaven and on earth." We're to win the lost, to faith in Him, baptize them and teach them to grow in spiritual grace. Jesus knew we could do it because He is with us to help us. No wonder Paul said, "I can do all things through Christ who keeps pouring His power into my life."

VIII.    Water comes from Heaven.

John 6:31 through John 6:33 (KJV)
31Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat. 32Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven. 33For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.

John 6:38 (KJV)
38For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.

John 6:48 through John 6:51 (KJV)
48I am that bread of life. 49Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead. 50This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die. 51I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.

Philippians 2:5 through Philippians 2:11 (ASV)
5Have this mind in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6who, existing in the form of God, counted not the being on an equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men; 8and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, becoming obedient even unto death, yea, the death of the cross. 9Wherefore also God highly exalted him, and gave unto him the name which is above every name; 10that in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven and things on earth and things under the earth, 11and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

        A word to you if you're not a saved person. You cannot live spiritually -- become a child of God if you do not drink the water of life which is Jesus.

        In an article for Christianity Today titled "A Tale of Two Kittens," Margaret Clarkson draws a spiritual lesson from two cats she had as pets. The first, Mehitable, was a plain calico cat born in a shed down by the river behind Clarkson's home. This cat never forgot her early upbringing. She hunted, fished, and survived on her own. When thirsty, she drank from the river.

        Figaro, her handsome black successor, was different. He too loved life by the river. But he didn't hunt except for occasional sport. And he refused to drink from the river. If Clarkson forgot to fill his water bowl, especially in summer, he'd soon become listless Clarkson commented, "To live at the edge of a great, flowing river and to suffer thirst -- how sad!"

        A story is told about a minister who was preaching on Revelation 22:17. The day was hot and some people had trouble paying attention. The heat bothered the pastor too, so from time to time he would take a drink of water. After each sip he would say, "Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely."

        In the audience was a little boy. Each time the preacher lifted the sparkling glass of water to his lips, the boy's thirst increased. Finally he decided that if the pastor said once more, "Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely," he would go to the front and take a drink for himself.

        Just then the inviting words rang out once more. Resolutely the little fellow left his seat and walked up to the pulpit. The audience watched in astonishment as the youngster picked up the glass and took a deep swallow. Then with a kind "Thank you, pastor!" he returned to his seat. The preacher was moved and used the incident to make a spiritual point. He said that we must accept God's invitation and drink of the Living Water by faith if we are to be saved.

        Many stay spiritually thirsty because they do not heed the Lord's clear and simple invitation. Today repent of your sin. Trust Jesus as you Savior. Drink and live!

        "Unless one drinks now of the 'Water of Life,' he will thirst forever." There is no water in hell. The rich man begged for just one drop but he begged in vain.