WEEK 8:

Jump into Forever Life

We began this study with creation and God calling forth all that generates life. We’ve reflected on how water cleanses, protects, and promises. Water has helped us see that even when we believe we are trapped with no way out, God can make a pathway through the very things that threaten us. Water is a powerful, hope-filled metaphor for our longing for God. In baptism, we come to know who we are as beloved children of God. Water is the gushing forth of the Spirit and our call to follow Jesus in serving others. We bring our reflections on water to a close with a passage that describes the promised new creation when:


Jesus “will be [our] shepherd,

and he will guide [us] to springs of the water of life,

and God will wipe away every tear from [our] eyes.”

Revelation 7:17


The Bible, the story of our faith, begins with water creating life. It ends with a river of water that generates new life in us, nourishing and healing us for all of time. The beginning of our faith story describes Eden, a home of creating waters that we lost. The book of Revelation ends with a description of our new home, a home with God and waters that re-create and bring joy. All of life is contained and held in the Life-Giving waters of the Giver of Life!  


THIS WEEK’S SCRIPTURE:

Revelation 22:1-5

Then the angel showed me [John, the writer] the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city. On either side of the river is the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, producing its fruit each month; and the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. Nothing accursed will be found there anymore. But the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him; they will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. And there will be no more night; they need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever. Revelation 22:1-5

Invitations:

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


  • Look back over the study. What has been surprising? What has been comforting? What has been encouraging? What has been challenging?



  • The tree of life in the scripture is for nourishment and the healing of all people. The tree is a promise. How might this promise guide your prayers for our world, our community, your loved ones, and yourself?

  • God and the Lamb, Jesus, are so very present in this description of new life! God’s face is seen! That face is now the forever light of the world. How might the hope of this description nurture your faith and heal your spirit?  



Prayer:

Recreating God,

Always and forever,

You bless me and all people

with the gift of life-giving water!

I give you thanks and praise that you guide me

to springs of the water of life,

and that one day you will

wipe away every tear from my eyes.

Amen.