Jars of Clay

A television series called “New Amsterdam” is based on a nonfiction book written by a doctor. The book is: “Twelve Patients: Life and Death at Bellevue Hospital.” I just finished reading it. Besides giving me a deeper compassion for humanity, I’m also thinking more about medical issues.

Today I am wondering about transplants and trying to imagine what it would be like to breathe with another person’s lungs or have life because of a heart transplant. My pacemaker is totally responsible for my heartbeat. This required some mental and emotional adjustment and has changed my thinking in several ways.

Another adjustment happened years ago when I became a Christian. As the New Testament repeatedly affirms, the Lord Jesus Christ took up residence in me, His Spirit giving life to my spirit. This is God moving in. This is the Creator of the universe taking over. He leaves me with my will — I can say NO to Him — but my life has changed. He said it would. That should not be a surprise, yet at times when I stop to think about this reality, my mind struggles to wrap itself around this amazing transplant!

Jesus said the change would make me as refreshing to others as a stream refreshes dry ground:

On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. (John 7:37–39)

To be this source of living water, first I must believe in Jesus Christ, drawing life from Him through the power of the Holy Spirit. I cannot do it without the Spirit. Not only that, if I try, I will block His flow like mud in a water hose. To be living water, self needs to stop ‘nice’ actions with selfish motives, cease all attempts to be popular with people but ignoring God, and quit trying to figure out how to make people like me. This is not a negative thing. Living water is far lovelier than mud, far easier to like, enjoy, appreciate, but it does not come from me.

Why then is this sometimes problem? Probably because the Lord gets the credit, the glory. I’m just mud.

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20)

But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. (2 Corinthians 4:7)

Mud blocks living water. It must be flushed out so the life of Christ flows. Being crucified is part of this purging and an vital part of this transplant process, the painful part. It is the not just the heart but the whole person willingly yielding to the will of God, no matter the cost. For most of us, this does not mean a cross or something equally painful, but it could. Many Christians have died for their faith, been beaten or abused.

And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets— who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated — of whom the world was not worthy — wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect. (Hebrews 11:32–40)

Yet nothing can destroy that living water. It comes from the life of Christ, from the One who is indestructible. Whatever else it costs me to believe in and follow Jesus, nothing can take His life away from me, His eternal and powerful life, full of grace and truth, a life that has forever changed my life. Thank You, Jesus. 

NOTE: If you came to this page through a link on a page you should not have been on, that link was likely done by a web bot. I didn't put it there nor can I remove it. You are invited to come back to this page anytime and to consider Jesus, the only One who can give you lasting joy and peace. 

Living Water — what is that?

Our city has almost as many people teaching English as a third-world country. People come from many parts of the world to live and work here. They do their best to learn our customs and our language. For instance, my hubby has had engineers ask questions like, “Do I stand up when my boss comes into my office?”

Language can be a big barrier in both directions. English has many odd idioms and figures of speech. I remember a few of us talking to a man about the silly things we say, like, “Go jump in the lake” or “Don’t get your shirt in a knot.” Getting a grasp on these is a big challenge and a sense of humor is needed as well as patience.

Bible study requires an understanding of figures of speech too. For instance, in John 6, Jesus told those who followed Him . . . 

“Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him.” (John 6:54–56)

Even those who knew Him struggled with that “hard saying” as they no doubt tried to figure out what it meant. Some still take it literally, which is also confusing.

Later, on the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. (John 7:37–39)

Clearly, He is using a figure of speech. How can living water flow out of a person’s heart? Yet the image is sharper if readers understand the significance of when and where it was presented. It was a Sabbath, the last feast day of the year. The remarkable ceremonies were joyous anyway, but particularly on the last day. Each day prior, the priest brought water in golden vessels from the stream of Siloah. This flowed under the temple-mountain. The priest solemnly poured it upon the altar. This day was the culmination when the words of Isaiah 12:3 were sung:

“With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.” (Isaiah 12:3)

This was a symbolical reference for God’s people. They anticipated God’s salvation and their joy was so ecstatic as this ceremony was performed — accompanied with sound of trumpets — that it used to be said, “Whoever had not witnessed it had never seen rejoicing at all.”

I can picture the crowds and the noise. Then I can imagine Jesus standing up and calling out to those who were thirsty for this water of salvation. He told them they could come to Him and receive it. His words included the joyful news that they would then become a source of this water for others. He used the ceremony to announce that the well of salvation was now available to them, not a literal well or literal water but, as John explains, He is talking about the Holy Spirit.

Tozer responds to these thoughts by saying every Christian can and should be filled with the Holy Spirit, even a “copious outpouring . . . in a measure far beyond that received at conversion” and beyond that enjoyed by most believers today.

Tozer also says I need to get this straight. No doubts. No misunderstanding the figure of speech. Doubt (and confusion) give the devil and open door to mess up my life. The Holy Spirit will not fill anyone who questions the possibility of being filled or doubts His promise.

^^^^^^^^

Jesus, again this is one scene that I can imagine. You stand up amid the noise and excitement of this celebration with the greater news that the living water they have longed for has now arrived. All can come to You and be filled and satisfied — and even more, be a vessel for that water to flow to others. Those who understood what You were saying must have nearly burst with joy. “He’s here! He’s here!”

Thank You so much for language lessons, for images and figures of speech, for the revelation that You are the Messiah, the Savior of the world, the Living Water that has totally satisfied my thirsty soul!

No Longer Thirsty

Interesting that on the last day of 2011 Spurgeon selects a passage of Scripture that describes what Jesus did on another last day more than two thousand years ago.

On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’ ” Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. (John 7:37–39)

It was close to the time of His arrest, trial, and subsequent crucifixion, but Jesus was still thinking about the eternal destiny of the people He came to save. He pleaded with them to recognize their thirst and come to Him for satisfaction that would not only last forever, but would bless everyone who was touched by its flow. He knew that the Holy Spirit would enter their lives as soon as He was glorified. This was His great longing for them and for us.

How does a person know if they are thirsty for the living water that only Jesus can supply? Is it a desire to know the truth? Is it a search for answers to those big questions like, “Why am I here?” “Is there life beyond this life?” “What is my purpose for existing?” “Is there a God?” “If there is, can I know for sure?” “What can I do about my sin and guilt?” Does God forgive, and if so, how can I be forgiven?”

For me, the questions were along the line of what happens when I die? My father told me that energy is neither created nor destroyed. I don’t know if he was correct or not, but I do know that I was filled with a burning desire, a thirst, to know what would happen to the energy of me after I died.

I didn’t come to Jesus though. I looked for answers in all sorts of other places, but none of them gave me that living water that Jesus promises to those who believe. Finally He came to me, put the drops on my tongue, and that was the last day of my thirst and my search.

On this last day of the year I am thinking of how wonderful to know Jesus and to experience the fulfillment of this promise. I drink deeply of His living water, having learned that nothing else satisfies my search or my thirst. I know the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. He gives me love, peace, joy and a whole pile of grace that I cannot earn or deserve. He is a blessing beyond compare, given all because Jesus was willing to die and be lifted up, and in the doing of it, be glorified for my sake.

Yesterday’s headaches, literal and figurative, are gone because the Lord of life washes them away, making me clean, whole, filled with Himself. I want to stand today, on this last day, and cry out, “If anyone is thirsty, come to Jesus and drink. Whoever believes in Him, as the Word of God promises, will receive and be a channel for living water. This is possible because Jesus died for us, rose again for us, and was glorified so the Holy Spirit could come and fill us with all the fullness of the Himself.”

*******

Lord, I was thirsty and You satisfied me. Every time that I feel even the slightest bit parched, You are here with me, giving me all that I need to be satisfied, blessed, and a blessing. This is incredible good news. Help me share it in 2012 with every thirsty soul that You bring into my life.