Key Verse

John 5:39

³⁹ You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me,

Part 1 describes the details of what life is like being nourished by the living water, please refer to Part 1. In Part 2, we survey some common ways people seek to substitute the true source of living water which makes life abundant. Jesus still graciously invites all who are thirsty may come to Him and drink (John 7:37). Part 3 explains why Jesus is indeed the source of living water such that we may come to Him to have life. The best way to find the answer of the question whether Jesus is the source of the living water is to investigate the Bible itself for it originates the claim that Jesus is the source of living water. Is the Bible reliable? Does it say that we should go to Him to have life? In a nutshell, the Bible is the revelation of God in writings inspired by God penned by various authors in different times and places under various circumstances. With such diversity of time and authors, the consistent message of the Bible is that God saves sinners from the corruption and destruction of sins through Jesus Christ (John 5:39). For sin under the authority of law condemns and separates mankind from God who is the source of life and all blessings (1 Corinthians 15:56), Only through Jesus who is full of grace and truth that the ultimate problem of sin and death of mankind can be resolved (John 1:17) .

John 7:37

On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink.

John 5:39

³⁹ You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me,

1 Corinthians 15:56

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.

John 1:17

For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

Old Testament Revelation with New Testament Fulfillment

Let us survey the Old Testament to understand how the writings of Moses, the Law and the prophets reveal Jesus of Nazareth as the source and hope of life of the world (John 1:45). Numerous events and ceremonial laws in the Old Testament time were the images of the Savior who performed the actual work of salvation once and for all acceptable to God. These Old Testament events and laws were given in specific details such that when the Savior came, He and His work of salvation can be identified and we may all believe in Him. The Old Testament saints might not fully understand every detail and significance of following the ceremonial laws, the reward of their faith in God was realized by Jesus Christ once and for all (Hebrews 9:26 ). Here are some specific examples revealing Jesus and His salvation written in the Old Testament and fulfilled in the New Testament:

1) Day of Atonement:

Annual Celebration of the Day of Atonement: the Most Holy Place of the sanctuary which represented the presence of God in the Old Testament. Priests were not allowed to enter the Most Holy Place anytime they desired. In fact, Aaron's two sons were killed by God when they came near the altar with a careless attitude and offered profane fire. This teaches us that the holiness of God cannot co-exist with sin such that sinners could not have a normal relationship with God but waiting for judgment (Hebrews 10:27). The relationship between God and mankind can only be restored by the punishment and removal of sin such that sinners become justified before God. On the Day of Atonement, the high priest was allowed to enter the Most Holy Place to offer atonement sacrifices. He was instructed specifically what to wear: linen tunic, linen undergarments, linen sash and linen turban. Since these were sacred garments, the high priest was instructed to bathe himself with water before wearing them (Leviticus 16:4). This teaches us that one may not approach God anyway one thinks right and desirable but according to His words. In fact, Jesus has taught us in a parable that a man was invited by the king to attend a wedding banquet but was not wearing the expected wedding clothes. He was then cast out from the banquet where there was darkness, weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matthew 22:11-13). The parable aptly shows that we cannot invent our way of salvation or religion to approach God but through faith in Jesus alone who is the sacred garment that we may wear to attend the heavenly banquet (Galatians 3:26-27). The high priest was also instructed to bring animal blood into the Most Holy Place for the atonement of sin. While the bodies of animals were taken outside the camp for burning (Leviticus 16:27). Of the two goats used, one was killed representing the substitutional death for sinners. The other was called a scapegoat and would be set free in the wilderness representing the removal of sin after the substitutional death. These activities were the images of Jesus who offered Himself as a sin sacrifice once and for all people who trust in Him such that sinners were deemed righteous before God and may have fellowship with God (1 John 1:7). Jesus literally fulfilled the atonement of sin acceptable to God with His great suffering of crucification outside the gate of Jerusalem (Hebrews 13:11-12). We may now have a normal relationship with God as if we could enter the Most Holy Place with confidence ourselves like a high priest on the day of atonement, not because of animal blood.but the blood of Jesus (Hebrews 10:19). In fact, our bodies literally become the temple of God because the Holy Spirit is living in us (Galatians 3:14).

Hebrews 10:27

but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God.

Leviticus 16:4

⁴ He is to put on the sacred linen tunic, with linen undergarments next to his body; he is to tie the linen sash around him and put on the linen turban. These are sacred garments; so he must bathe himself with water before he puts them on.

Matthew 22:11-13

11 “But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes. ¹² He asked, ‘How did you get in here without wedding clothes, friend ?’ The man was speechless. 13 “Then the king told the attendants, ‘Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

Galatians 3:26-27

²⁶ So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, ²⁷ for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.

Leviticus 16:27

²⁷ The bull and the goat for the sin offerings, whose blood was brought into the Most Holy Place to make atonement, must be taken outside the camp; their hides, flesh and intestines are to be burned up.

1 John 1:7

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

Hebrews 13:11

¹¹ The high priest carries the blood of animals into the Most Holy Place as a sin offering, but the bodies are burned outside the camp. ¹² And so Jesus also suffered outside the city gate to make the people holy through his own blood.

Hebrews 10:19

¹⁹ Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus,

Galatians 3:14

He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.

2) Passover:

The event and its annual celebration of the Passover were highly significant in the Old Testament time for God set the Israelites free from the bondage of Egypt and started the journey to the Promised land and become a nation (Exodus 12:51). Yet, the event and celebration of Passover were only the image of the work of the Messiah fulfilled in the New Testament in which people of all nations are set free from the bondage of sin and have life (Romans 6:22). The animals used in celebrating Passover were required to be without defect. This requirement (Exodus 12:5) reveals to us that Jesus the Messiah suffered purely for our sins and He has no sin at all (1 Peter 1:18-19). In the New Testament time, Christians celebrate Communion instead of Passover to remember the substitutionary death of Jesus. Christians are taught to eat the bread representing the body of Christ and drink the wine representing His blood with reverence remembering His death for our sins (1 Corinthians 11:28-29). Likewise, in celebrating the Passover, no uncircumcised, causal foreigners might participate in the Passover (Exodus 12:43). The Passover and the Festival of Unleavened Bread were celebrated in tandem in the Old Testament time (Leviticus 23:4-6). These celebrations were not prescribed by God for our convenience but with important object lesson for us to know and obey. Unleavened bread is bread not fermented with yeast which is used to represent sin for its power to work through the whole dough by its multiplication and spreading. The sacrifice of Jesus for our sin was not performed such that sinners might be forgiven and stay in sin. As we know God is holy and sinners are considered enemies of God (Hebrews 10:26-27). The reason Jesus died for us while we are still sinners is due to His great love such that sinners may be forgiven and the wages of sin is paid for by His death. After being forgiven, true believers in Jesus are empowered by the Holy Spirit to live a new life no longer enslaved by sin and the true meaning of salvation is best communicated to us in prophecy with both the Passover and the Festival of the Unleavened Bread (1 Corinthians 5:7-8). The prescription of not breaking the bones of the Passover animals served as the prophecy to mark the death of Jesus. Indeed, to hasten the death of the persons being crucified along with Jesus, their legs were broken by the Roman soldiers while not one bone of Jesus was broken for He was dead when the soldiers came to inspect Him (Exodus 12:46, Psalm 34:20, John 19:36). As a solemn reminder of God’s power and mercy for leading them out of Egypt by His great power and mercy, Israelites were instructed to consecrate the first born male of both humans and animals for worship and sacrifice activities (Exodus 13:2). The first born sons were to serve as priests and the first born animals were used in sacrifices. Later when the priestly duties were assigned to the Levites exclusively, first born sons were redeemed at a price of five shekels of silver. First born unclean animals were not sacrificed but redeemed at a price also. This practice is also a fitting object lesson for the New Testament believers who are redeemed by Jesus and should serve God with gratitude as a spiritual act of worship (Romans 12:1).

Exodus 12:51

⁵¹ And on that very day the Lord brought the Israelites out of Egypt by their divisions.

Romans 6:22

But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life.

Exodus 12:5

⁵ The animals you choose must be year-old males without defect, and you may take them from the sheep or the goats.

1 Peter 1:18-19

¹⁸ For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, ¹⁹ but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.

Exodus 12:43

⁴³ The Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “These are the regulations for the Passover meal: “No foreigner may eat it.

1 Corinthians 11:28-29

²⁸ Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. ²⁹ For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves.

Leviticus 23:4-6

4 “‘These are the Lord’s appointed festivals, the sacred assemblies you are to proclaim at their appointed times: ⁵ The Lord’s Passover begins at twilight on the fourteenth day of the first month. ⁶ On the fifteenth day of that month the Lord’s Festival of Unleavened Bread begins; for seven days you must eat bread made without yeast.

Hebrews 10:26-27

²⁶ If we deliberately keep on sinning( after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, ²⁷ but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God.

1 Corinthians 5:7-8

⁷ Get rid of the old yeast, so that you may be a new unleavened batch—as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. ⁸ Therefore let us keep the Festival, not with the old bread leavened with malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

Exodus 12:46

46 “It must be eaten inside the house; take none of the meat outside the house. Do not break any of the bones.

Psalm 34:20

he protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken.

John 19:36

These things happened so that the scripture would be fulfilled: “Not one of his bones will be broken,"

Exodus 13:1-2

¹ The Lord said to Moses, 2 “Consecrate to me every firstborn male. The first offspring of every womb among the Israelites belongs to me, whether human or animal."

Romans 12:1

¹ Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.

3) Bronze Snake in the Wilderness and Implication of True Worship:

After their liberation from the oppression in Egypt, the Israelites seemed to forget the protection and guidance of God when they encountered some difficulties in the wilderness as part of the journey to the promised land. They grew impatient and spoke against Moses and God. They were then punished by the attack of venomous snakes God sent among them. Many died and they finally repented from their sin and asked Moses to pray for them. God instructed Moses to make a snake and put it up on a pole such that anyone bitten by a snake and looked at the snake would be healed. This event was a prophetic image of the crucification of Jesus and the forgiveness of sin when we put our faith in Him (John 3:14, 16). By the way, we should understand that it is the word of God and His work of salvation that matter not the objects being used in the events that matter. It is futile to put any of our faith in a crucifix, bread and grape wine used in the communion for they do not save us though they were meaningful to remind the suffering and death of Jesus. These objects do not contribute any value to our salvation. In fact, the very same error was committed in the Old Testament time when the Israelites burned incense to the bronze snake Moses made in high places (2 Kings 18:4) which were the altars of idol worship set up in the high mountains and hills that the Israelites learned from foreign religions. This practice of worshipping in high places violated the instruction to worship according to the Mosaic law. In the New Testament time, believers no longer worship God in a tabernacle or a temple for God now dwells in every believer’s life. The true worshipers that God seeks are those who worship God truthfully inwardly in spirit which communicates with the Holy Spirit (John 4:24). That is why the bodies of the New Testament believers are aptly called the temple of God. This implies that true worship is not predicated on physical location or objects but on the intrinsic quality of truthfulness in our heart which is reflected in the fruits of our lifestyle. .In fact, believers now are bestowed with a privileged position of royal priesthood and citizen of a holy nation (1 Peter 2:9). A major duty of a priest is to serve as a medium between people and God. As members of the royal priesthood, we go out in this dark world to declare praises of God’s mercy and love who saves mankind from the bondage and destruction of sins such that more people reconcile with Him (2 Corinthians 5:20). This privileged position of royal priesthood and holy nation in the world was conditionally bestowed to Israel in the Old Testament (Exodus 19:5). As we know, Israel disobeyed God and the negative consequence became true. Israel as a nation was broken and the Jews were dispersed to different parts of the world. Amazingly, God fulfills His gracious plan of salvation of the world: Jews and Gentiles, through the Messiah Jesus Christ (Isaiah 42:6-7, Isaiah 49:6, Isaiah 61:1) who came to Palestine during the reign of the Roman Empire. Before His death of crucification, resurrection, and ascension in A.D. 33 (see part 3 of The Seventy Weeks Prophecy of the Book of Daniel), Jesus taught that believers should be the light of the world which is full of darkness because of sin such that people may see fruits of our new lives as members of royal priesthood and holy nation and glorify the Heavenly Father (Matthew 5:17). Then Jesus command His disciples to make disciples of all nations teaching them what He taught them (Matthew 28:19). By this way, Jesus fulfills what was written in Isaiah 49:6. Even to this day in the New Testament era any faithful church exists with the motivation and mission to make disciples (Acts 13:47). In the Old Testament time, the priests served by presenting dead animals as sacrifices to God as the image of Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice with His own body for all such that people who put their trust in Him may have life. It is reasonable for the New Testament believers to offer their bodies not as dead but living sacrifices in serving God which is congenial to their new privileged position as members of royal priesthood (Romans 12:1).

Numbers 21:8-9

⁸ The Lord said to Moses, “Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live." ⁹ So Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole. Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, they lived.

John 3:14, 16

¹⁴ Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, ¹⁵ that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him." ¹⁶ For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

2 Kings 18:4

He removed the high places, smashed the sacred stones and cut down the Asherah poles. He broke into pieces the bronze snake Moses had made, for up to that time the Israelites had been burning incense to it. (It was called Nehushtan. )

John 4:24

²⁴ God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth."

1 Peter 2:9

⁹ But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

Exodus 19:5

⁵ Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, ⁶ you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites."

Isaiah 42:6-7

6 “I, the LORD, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles, ⁷ to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.

Isaiah 49:6

he says: “It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth."

Isaiah 61:1

The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners,

Matthews 5:14, 16

14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁶ In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Matthew 28:19-20

¹⁹ Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

Acts 13:47

⁴⁷ For this is what the Lord has commanded us: “‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’"

Romans 12:1 (King James Version)

¹² I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

4) Jonah in the Belly of a huge Fish:

Prophet Jonah was commanded by God to Nineveh to preach against their wickedness such that the citizens of Nineveh might repent and escaped judgement. Unwilling to bring the warning of judgement lest the Ninevites repent, Jonah went to Tarshish by ship. God sent a great wind on the sea such that the ship was about to sink. Knowing himself was the culprit, Jonah requested to be thrown into the sea. God sent a big fish to swallow Jonah into its belly. Jonah stayed in the belly of the fish for three days and three nights before being vomited out in dry land (Jonah 1:17). The event was recorded in the Old Testament to prophesize a much more important event: the resurrection of Jesus. The belly of the fish was like the tomb where the body of Jesus laid after crucification. We know that the event of Jonah refers to the resurrection event because Jesus expressly told the Pharisees and teachers of the law before his death that He would stayed in the tomb three days and three nights as Jonah stayed in the belly of the fish three days and three nights (Matthew 12:39-40). Indeed, Jesus died on the cross in the afternoon and was buried before sunset on Friday (Matthew 27:57-60). Jesus clearly announced the prophecy of resurrection before His death. Even people who plotted to put Jesus to execution before Pilate understood fully the message for they asked Pilate to send soldiers to guard the tomb to prevent Jesus’ disciples stealing the body and deceived the public that Jesus resurrected. Upon the request of the chief priests and the Pharisees, Pilate sent soldiers to guard the tomb (Matthew 27:62-64). Resurrection happened early in the morning on Sunday and the event was witnessed by the guards and some women who visited the tomb (Matthew 28:2-4). According to Jewish custom, part of a day is counted as a day and sunset marks the end of a day and the beginning of a new day. Therefore, part of the Friday that Jesus was inside the tomb is counted as one day and one night. After sunset on Friday, another day began. The second day ended on Saturday sunset and the third day began. Jesus resurrected on Sunday at dawn and left the tomb (Matthew 28:1-4). Therefore, Jesus’ prophecy came true just as He announced before His death: He would be in the heart of the earth three days and three nights. The death of Jesus was controlled by God in His plan of salvation of mankind. The evil and unjust participants, physical or spiritual, did not win by fulfilling their desire of putting Jesus to death. Their evil and unjust thoughts and behaviors were foreknown and allowed by God in His plan of redemption. The resurrection of Jesus demonstrated He is indeed the resurrection and the life (John 11:15). Most people experienced death or will experience death sooner or later. Death without salvation means the end of earthly life and the awaiting for judgment of sin committed but not paid for by Jesus (Hebrews 9:27). The righteous judgment of God will put those who are not redeemed by Jesus in the lake of fire which is called the second death (Revelation 20:13-15). The redeemed will be forgiven and receive resurrection just as Jesus demonstrated in His resurrection. Jesus is also called the firstborn meaning that He is the first and preeminent in position: the first in resurrection after death to eternal life i.e. the transformation of the perishable body to a new imperishable body, the Lord of all creation, and the head of the church (1 Corinthians 15:42, Colossians 1:15, 18). It is fitting to visualize believers’ faith in Jesus with the picture that the believers are like a flock of sheep following the good shepherd Jesus who is leading the way (John 10:27). The sheep know the shepherd, listen to his voice and follow him closely for the sheep trust the shepherd who is leading them to the green pastures by the quiet waters (Psalm 23:1-2).

Jonah 1:17

¹⁷ Now the Lord provided a huge fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.

Matthew 12:39-40

³⁹ He answered, “A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. ⁴⁰ For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

Matthew 27:57-60

⁵⁷ As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. ⁵⁸ Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him. ⁵⁹ Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, ⁶⁰ and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away.

Matthew 27:62-64

⁶² The next day, the one after Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate. 63 “Sir," they said, “we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’ ⁶⁴ So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, his disciples may come and steal the body and tell the people that he has been raised from the dead. This last deception will be worse than the first."

Matthew 28:1-4

After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. ² There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. ³ His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. ⁴ The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.

John 11:25

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die;

Hebrews 9:27

Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment,

Revelation 20:13-15

¹³ The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what they had done. ¹⁴ Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. ¹⁵ Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.

1 Corinthians 15:42

So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable;

Colossians 1:15

¹⁵ The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.

Colossians 1:18

⁸ And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.

John 10:27

²⁷ My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.

Psalm 23:1-2

¹ The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. ² He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,

5) The Spiritual Rock

After leaving Egypt, the Israelites once camped at Rephidim where there was no water to drink. They complained against Moses for bringing them out of Egypt and were even ready to stone him to death. The Israelites seemed to forget that Egypt was a place of slavery where they suffered from mistreatment by the Egyptians and cried out to God for help. But God was gracious to them and asked Moses along with some elders of Israel to go to the rock at Horeb identified by God and to strike the rock with the same staff he struck the Nile. Moses did what God told him and water came out of the rock for people to drink (Exodus 17:5-6). The complaint of the Israelites and their readiness to kill Moses was a reflection of their lack of trust in God and their distant relationship with Him. They forgot that God had sent ten plagues to strike Egypt in order to release them from the bondage of slavery. They also forgot how God had saved them from the pursuing Egyptian army such that they crossed the Red Sea in safety. Even though they had forgotten the mercy and miracles God performed to save them from suffering and destruction, they should realize that God was among them as evidenced by the daily providence of manna to maintain their lives in the wilderness. Instead of being thankful, they took God’s providence for granted, quarreled against the servant God sent to help them and tested the Lord saying, “Is the Lord among us or not?" (Exodus 17:7). Is it not like common secular people in the world who do not acknowledge God nor giving thanks to Him for lives and daily providence of air, sunshine, water and food. As knowledge increases, some became prideful and tried to account for the creation without the Creator rather than glorifying, appreciating His power and ingenuity. Today, you can find so called scientists teaching the hypotheses of evolution and laws of nature as the origin and the driving force of creation of the universe. Humans not having a normal relationship with the Creator God are like a derailing train with various kinds of abnormal, confusing and disastrous things happening to their lives. Instead of worshipping and glorifying the creator, humans create idols and false religions including atheism (faith of godlessness) as the substitutionary objects and teachings for worship and faith (Romans 1:23, 30). Instead of having a normal marriage relationship, people have lustful, fornication and even homosexual relationship with one and other (Romans 1:26-27, 29). In general, all humans cannot escape the powerful grip of sin in our lives (Romans 1:29-31). That is why our world is so violent, dark, bleak and cold. Everyone is moving closer to a meaningless and hopeless end day by day. But, God is love and while we were sinners, He sent His only Son Jesus to die for us so that we may have life which is abundant and eternal (Romans 5:8, John 3:16, John 10:10). The event of Moses striking the rock at Horeb was the prophetic image of Jesus Christ, the spiritual rock, being put to suffering and crucification. The consequential event of water flowing out the rock upon stricken was the image of the filling of the Holy Spirit in the life of a person who accept the gracious gift of salvation through Jesus by God (1 Corinthians 10:4, John 7:37-39).

Exodus 17:5-6

⁵ The Lord answered Moses, “Go out in front of the people. Take with you some of the elders of Israel and take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go. ⁶ I will stand there before you by the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will come out of it for the people to drink." So Moses did this in the sight of the elders of Israel.

Exodus 17:7

⁷ And he called the place Massah and Meribah because the Israelites quarreled and because they tested the Lord saying, “Is the Lord among us or not?"

Romans 1:20-22

²⁰ For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. ²¹ For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. ²² Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools

Romans 1:23

²³ and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles.

Romans 1:26-27

²⁶ Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. ²⁷ In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error.

Romans 1:29-31 (King James Translation)

²⁹ Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, ³⁰ Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, ³¹ Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:

1 Corinthians 10:4

⁴ and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ.

John 7:37-39

On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. ³⁸ Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them." ³⁹ By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.

The Concrete Reality of the Living Water

The living water Jesus gives to all who trust in Him is not abstract or elusive but real and effective. In the past, Israelites were led by God to enter rest in the promised land which is flowing with milk and honey. We are now saved from judgment and even bestowed the privilege to become children of God and enter the eternal Kingdom of God because of Jesus who is still inviting all to come to Him to have rest (Matthew 11:28). God does not take us all immediately to His Kingdom on day one we are saved. He wants most of us to go through a journey in this world where there are difficulties, challenges and temptations of the devil as the Israelites experienced while travelling through the wilderness before entering Canaan. The main reason is that God wants us to practice trusting Him and obeying His words (Deuteronomy 8:3). As the Israelites were guided, provided and protected by God in the wilderness, believers now are not left alone in this world as orphans (John 14:18). But, the Holy Spirit is our help, encouragement and power through Him we live a new life that can overcome the temptation of the world and is no longer enslaved by sin (John 14:15-17, Galatians 5:19-23). Not only a believer can now live a victorious life, but also serves as the instrument of righteousness, doing good works glorifying God giving light in this dark world which is full of people who have not yet known God (Romans 6:13, Matthew 5:14, Ephesians 2:10). Of course, the source of power of doing good works is God Himself (Philippians 2:13). To listen to many illustrative stories of how real lives were set free from the bondage of sins when people put their trust in Jesus, may I recommend listening to the online broadcasting of Unshackled produced by the Pacific Garden Mission. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus who is our example and goal in living through this journey God wants us to go through (Hebrews 12:1-2). In addition, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in a believer’s life is the evidence that the person is saved. The Holy Spirit is like a pledge and deposit placed on a believer’s life by God guaranteeing what is to come (.2 Corinthians 1:21-22). Jesus is indeed the source of living water and He is still graciously inviting sinners to come to Him to drink freely (Isaiah 44:3, 55:1, John 4:14, Revelation 21:6, 22:17).

Matthew 11:28

28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

Hebrews 12:1-2

¹² Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, ² fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Deuteronomy 8:3

³ He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.

John 14:18

¹⁸ I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.

John 14:15-17

15 “If you love me, keep my commands. ¹⁶ And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— ¹⁷ the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.

Galatians 5:19-23

¹⁹ The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; ²⁰ idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions ²¹ and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. ²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Romans 6:13

Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness.

Matthew 5:14

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.

Ephesians 2:10

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Philippians 2:13

for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.

2 Corinthians 1:21-22

²¹ Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, ²² set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.

Isaiah 44:3

For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants.

Isaiah 55:1

“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost.

John 4:14

but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life."

Revelation 21:6

He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life.

Revelation 22:17

The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!" And let the one who hears say, “Come!" Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.

Conclusion

From the Book of Genesis to the Book of Revelation, we see that God is eternal, holy, almighty, omniscient, righteous, faithful, full of justice and yet He is patient, slow to anger, full of mercy and love (Exodus 3:14, Revelation 1:8; Leviticus 11:45, Matthew 5:48; Isaiah 46:9, Psalm 139:4, Psalm 36:5-6). When Adam and Eve disobeyed God’s words in the garden of Eden, sin and its consequences entered the world. Sin breaks down the relationship between mankind and the Holy God who is the source of life and blessings to mankind. Sin breaks down the relationship between fellow mankind for sinners are inherently self-centered and resort to unrighteous means for their own interests resulting in oppression, strife and violence. Therefore, living in this world is a difficult, troublesome, and sorrowful proposition with a bleak future of death (Psalm 90:10). Life journey in this world is like plodding in the wilderness without water. Yet, God does not abandon mankind and sent His one and only Son Jesus to save sinners. Jesus came as a sacrifice for the redemption of sinners and restore the relationship with God, taught us how to live and gave us the Living Water to renew us, empower us to live a new life now and with a glorious and eternal future. The whole BIble reveals clearly that Jesus is the only way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). Let us all who are thirsty come to Jesus and drink!

Exodus 3:14

God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’"

Revelation 1:8

“I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty."

Leviticus 11:45

I am the LORD, who brought you up out of Egypt to be your God; therefore be holy, because I am holy.

Matthew 5:48

Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Isaiah 46:9

I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done.

Psalm 139:4

Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O LORD, you know it altogether.

Psalm 36:5-6

⁵ Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies. ⁶ Your righteousness is like the highest mountains, your justice like the great deep. You, Lord, preserve both people and animals.

Psalm 90:10

¹⁰ Our days may come to seventy years, or eighty, if our strength endures; yet the best of them are but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away.

John 14:6

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.