WEEK 6:

Jump into the Spirit

The Feast of Booths was a major celebration in Jesus’ time. It was a joyful harvest festival, thanking God for the fruitfulness and abundance that land had yielded. Paradoxically, Jesus cries out in the temple not about all the plenty, but about lack. He cries out to comfort those who lack, those who are desperately thirsty, in the midst of a celebration of abundance.


Jesus’ words remind us that all the bounty in the world cannot satisfy a thirsty soul. We can have full bellies, but be dying of spiritual thirst. He invites us to come to him in our thirst, trusting that he is the one who refreshes our parched souls. This in itself is a wonderful invitation! But with Jesus, there is always more. As we drink the water he offers, we become abundant rivers of water ourselves. Our hearts become wellsprings of life for the world around us. Jesus’ water is Spirit water, life-giving water for us and for our world.

THIS WEEK’S SCRIPTURE:

John 7

On the last day of the [Feast of Booths], 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.

John 7


Invitations:

Reflect on this week’s scripture.  Are there any words or ideas that especially resonate with you or challenge you?


  • What are your signs of being spiritually thirsty? How do you know you need some Jesus water



  • How do you spiritually drink? What satisfies your thirst? Likely, there isn’t one way to quench this thirst, so list the many ways.

  • How are you a river of living water for others? Remember that for Jesus giving a cup of water to a child is important. (Matthew 10:42 & Mark 9:41) Do you have a longing (a thirst!) to offer refreshment to others in new ways?



Prayer:

God of Refreshment,

I am so grateful for all the ways you satisfy my thirst.

Keep drawing me to you!

Open my eyes to all the ways I can give life to others.

Amen.