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SCRIPTURE READINGS

EXODUS 17:1-7

ROMANS 5:1-11

JOHN 4:5-42

SUNDAY LENT REFLECTION

Jesus, the source of living water is the theme for our reflection. A source is a place, person, or thing from which something originates or can be obtained. Water is a clear liquid that has no colour, taste, or smell, that falls from clouds as rain or can be found beneath the earth’s surface, living water, however, does not refer to the physical water but a metaphor ascribed to Jesus Christ as the giver of eternal life. Jesus, the source of living water means we can obtain or receive eternal life through Jesus Christ. In other words, Jesus is the source of eternal life. In our reflection, we shall answer the following questions.

1. How can we drink from Jesus the source of living water and what must we do after we have drunk the living water Jesus gives?
2. What is the significance of drinking from Jesus, the source of living water and who is the living water meant for?

First, how can we drink from Jesus, the source of living water? Dear friend, to be able to drink the living water Jesus gives, we must first be ready to encounter Jesus. The Samaritan woman could have walked away from Jesus since “The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.)” (John 4:9), but she was ready to encounter Jesus therefore she continued to interact with Him in a faith-seeking conversation. Our readiness to have an encounter with Jesus is the first step to getting closer to Jesus the source of living water. Secondly, we cannot have a fruitful encounter with Jesus unless we are ready to listen to Him. The Samaritan woman paid attention to Jesus and listened to Him although she was not obligated to do so. Are you ever ready to listen to the Word of God or the truth that comes from Jesus Christ? Remember, “Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31-32) We shall discover that Jesus, the truth and living water truly set the Samaritan Woman free. When we listen to Jesus, the living water, He shall set us free from spiritual ignorance and bondage. Thirdly, when we have encountered and listened to Him, He reveals our true and deprived nature, which calls for repentance and salvation through Him. “Then, leaving her water jar, the woman returned to the town and said to the people, “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?” (John 4:28-29). Fourthly, we believe Jesus is the source of eternal life after we have encountered Jesus, listened to Him, and have Him reveal our true nature to us. It is for this reason that the Samaritans “said to the woman, “We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world.” (John 4:42). Last but not least, what must we do after we have drunk the living water Jesus gives by believing in Him? When we believe in Jesus the source of living water, we have no choice but to witness to others about the source of the living water or eternal life. After the Samaritan woman had encountered, listened to, and had a revelation from Jesus about herself and believed in Him, she went returned to witness or evangelise to her people about Jesus. “Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I ever did.” (John 4:39). Are you also witnessing to others about Jesus the source of living water? The lent season gives another opportunity to encounter Jesus, listen to Him, receive a revelation from Him, believe in Him and then go out there to witness to the world. Let us use the lent season as an opportunity to witness to the world the everlasting life Jesus gives to those who yearn for His living water.

Second, what is the significance of drinking from Jesus, the source of living water. Drinking from Jesus the source of living water is the same as having Jesus in Your life. When we have Him in our lives we need not grumble when we experience thirst or scarcity of the basic necessities of life. All Moses required of the Israelites was for them to have faith in the Lord who brought them out of slavery and He would meet them at the point of their needs, and in this case, provide them water but “…they quarrelled with Moses and said, “Give us water to drink.” Moses replied, “Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you put the LORD to the test?” (Exodus 17:2). The significance of relying on Jesus as the source of living water is that He does not only gives us everlasting life but quenches our physical thirst and provides the basic necessities of life such as water, food, shelter, clothing and the grace to succeed according to the will of God. By this we experience peace and hope in the Lord, it is, for this reason, Paul wrote that “since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God.” (Romans 5:1-2) In other words, Jesus the source of living water also provides for our needs in challenging times so that we may continue to experience His peace and hope as people who have been saved. Who then is the living water meant for? “Everyone, especially we sinners are invited to drink from Jesus the source of living water. Paul again assures us that “when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person, someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:6-8) This is the ultimate significance of drinking from Jesus the source of living water, He saves anyone who yearns for His living water through repentance and faith.

In summary, we have examined the theme “Jesus the source of living water.” We have come to the conclusion that to drink from Jesus the source of living water, you must encounter Him, listen to Him, receive a revelation, believe in Him, and then witness. Again, we have discovered that the significance of having Jesus as the source of living water in our lives is that we experience peace and hope and receive eternal life. May the Holy Spirit empower us to hold on to Jesus the source of living water even as we await His second coming. Amen.