I thought this was a fascinating question to ponder: When you put a balloon filled with water over a flame such as a candle, why doesn't the balloon pop or burst? …………… If the balloon is filled with water, the heat that the balloon is gaining will dissipate into the water inside, raising the temperature of the water and leaving the balloon surface cool and undamaged. But without water, the balloon starts getting hot – gaining heat from the flame – quickly heating up, fraying, coming apart and popping.
Water is critical in so many ways. Rivers provide water to homes and farms, and along the way nourish ecosystems – important habitats for plants and animals critical for our survival.
As I thought about the balloon answer, I couldn’t help but focus on the metaphor of water, an important Christian symbol. Water represents life: Christ walked on water; He transformed water into wine; and Christians are baptized with (or in) water, being cleansed and purified.
Jesus taught the Samaritan woman at the well about how the “Water of Life” satisfies completely. The Holy Spirit fills us with eternal life and helps us to worship our Maker as we ought – in Spirit and truth.
The term "Water of Life" is used in the context of living water and there are specific references in the Book of Revelation (21:6 and 22:1), as well as the Gospel of John. In these references, the term “Water of Life” refers to the Holy Spirit.
Revelation 21 (NIV) 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 22:1 (NIV) Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb
John 7 (NIV)
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. 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 “Water of Life” is for our spiritual well-being. Externally, there is Satan and his fallen angels, tempting us, pushing us to rebel against God. Our temptations, which do not come from God, but are allowed by Him, can lead to sin building up. Without the Holy Spirit we are unable to move forward, for it is He that directs our journey and points us in the right direction. Although Satan will come to us in our weak moments and tell lies, Jesus also showed us how we can defend ourselves by planting our roots in His word and surrendering to the Holy Spirit.
1 Corinthians 10:13 says, “… the temptations that come into your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you can’t stand up against it. When you are tempted, He will show you a way out so that you will not give into it” (NLT).
With the Holy Spirit we have everything. We are not empty nor defeated by temptation; we will yearn to know God better and to let His love flow from inside protecting us; leaving us undamaged.
As we continue on our journey with Jesus this Lent, the final test that Christ faced in the wilderness was one near to the heart of Satan: temptation of power and glory, pride and violent ambition. But Satan failed in his temptation, because Jesus was armed with the “Water of Life”, the Holy Spirit’s power:
12 Jesus replied, “It is also written in the Scriptures, ‘How dare you provoke the Lord your God!’ ”
13 That silenced the devil’s harassment for the time being. So he retreated until an opportune time.
14 Then Jesus, armed with the Holy Spirit’s power, returned to Galilee, and his fame spread throughout the region. 15 He taught in the synagogues and they glorified him. (John 4:12-14 TPT)
Jesus' victory gives us victory over the evil forces that still seek to control us, to damage us. The “Water of Life”, the Holy Spirit, dwells within us and empowers us.
Let’s walk with Jesus in peace, joy, and assurance of His love.
I invite you to take a few minutes this morning to enjoy this short music video:
“Water of Life”
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