H2O – Living Water“Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow

from within them.” John 7:38

Fragment 41; Quoted by Plato in Cratylus 402a VARIANT TRANSLATIONS --

You cannot step twice into the same river; for other waters are continually flowing in.

You could not step twice into the same river; for other waters are ever flowing on to you.

You cannot step twice into the same stream. For as you are stepping in, other waters are ever flowing on to you.

You cannot step twice into the same river. You cannot step into the same river twice. It is impossible to step into the same river twice. No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it's not the same river

and he's not the same man.

You could not step twice into the same

river

--Heraclitis

Name?

Geographic location?

Physical properties (the water in it)?

The route that it follows?

Or

The Two banks on either side

What defines a river?

River Banks

Truth

Justice

grace

Spirit

Mercy

Holiness

John 7:37-41

37 Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. 38 He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, from his innermost being will flow rivers of living water. 39 But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive; for the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

40 Some of the people therefore, when they heard these words, were saying, “This certainly is the Prophet.” 41 Others were saying, “This is the Christ.”

The Water Libation Ceremony

It is often said . . .

Rabbis and the common people believed that when the prophets referred to rivers of “living water”

Mayim Chayim

It was referring to the study of the God’s Word, God’s Teaching, God’s Torah

The meaning in Bible Times

Study of God’s Teaching (Study of God’s Torah)

Messiah, (who would teach all things)

Jesus

John 7:38 – whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said (the way the Scriptures talked about me)

Rivers of living water will flow from within.

John 7:39 (holy spirit)

Living Waters

Just as rain water comes down in drops and forms rivers, so with the Torah; one studies a bit today and some more tomorrow, until in time it becomes like a flowing stream.

Exodus 17:7

Numbers 20:13

From Raindrops to a Raging River

Just as water has no taste unless one is thirsty, so too, Torah is best appreciated through great effort and yearning.

John 4:9-11 Woman at the well

It takes work to get water from a well!

Just as water leaves a high place and flows to a low one, so too, Torah leaves one whose spirit is proud and remains with one whose spirit is humble.

Isaiah 55:1

All water flows downstream.

Water is a great equalizer – no matter what your station or class – all can drink water. So, too – a scholar should not be ashamed to say to a simpler fellow, “Teach me a chapter, a verse or a letter.”

No one too great, no one too small

Just as water is the source of life for the world, as it says, A fountain of gardens, a well of living waters, so the Torah is a source of life for the world.

Song of Songs 4:15

Bottled at the source . . .

Just as water restores the soul, so does the Torah.

Psalm 119:81-88

As the deer pants for the water . . .

Just as water is cleansing, the words of Torah are purifying.

Eph. 5:26

Mikveh

Revelation 7:16-17

Revelation 21:6

Revelation 22:1

Revelation 22:17

On the Great Day . . .