“Their leaves shall not fade, nor their fruit fail.” (Ezekiel 47:12)
In a vision, the prophet Ezekiel saw a stream of water flowing
from the Temple in Jerusalem through the Arabah and into the Dead Sea.
The Arabah is a geological rift that encompasses the Sea of Galilee at
its northern end, the Jordan River in the middle, and the Dead Sea in
the south. In this vision, the water flowed into the Dead Sea with such
abundance and vitality that it freshened that whole body of stagnant
water and brought it back to life. All along the banks of the sea—from
En-gedi to En-eglaim—the people were able to fish and find fresh water
to produce and sustain life.
Ezekiel was prophesying about the restoration of Jerusalem that would
take place when the Israelites returned from exile in Babylon. But
through the grace of inspired hindsight, we can see this vision as also
foreshadowing the work of Christ. The Temple in Jerusalem was the place
where God dwelled and where worship was centered. In his incarnation,
Jesus became a new temple, opening the way to the heavenly Jerusalem,
where all God’s people live in lasting peace and fulfillment. Through
his death on the cross, Jesus rescued us from exile and captivity to
sin so that we could drink the life-giving water of his Holy Spirit.
What water are you drinking these days? We all have a thirst for
meaning and purpose in our lives. If we seek to quench this thirst
through material possessions, sensual fulfillment, or esteem from
others, we will never be truly satisfied. We were created for God, and
only he can refresh us. Only he can give us the water that produces
life.
Scripture promises that if we satisfy ourselves with God’s living
water, we will bear fruit that brings healing, refreshment, and life to
the people around us. That’s probably the best way to tell what we’ve
been drinking. If we are reaping the fruits of peace, harmony, trust,
and kindheartedness, we can be sure that it’s because the Spirit is
feeding us. If not, it’s a sure sign that we need to spend more time
with the Lord!
“Come, Holy Spirit, and fill me with your life. I want to bear fruit for the kingdom!”
Psalm 46:2-3,5-6,8-9; John 5:1-16