| What a privilege to be chosen to be a sign in the | | | | Jesus had observed all those thousands who had |
| world. That is one of the reasons when we are | | | | been at all the services and who should have |
| called to come together to worship, and when we | | | | been going home filled and satisfied, and he cries |
| do not take full advantage of this high calling, the | | | | out, "Are you still thirsty? Are you going home |
| world is not seeing the sign, nor receiving the light. | | | | disappointed, unfed, knowing that you have not |
| To be chosen by God involves awesome | | | | received all that God has for you? If that is so, |
| responsibilities. It is a sign to the world that our | | | | come to Me and drink!" |
| God lives and that He is alive and acts and speaks | | | | Jesus is offering what is real, fresh, refreshing, |
| and moves and forgives and heals. Such is the | | | | and lasting. How sad when people leave |
| need for positive practical leadership. | | | | unsatisfied, dissatisfied and not receiving from |
| This sign should make people hungry, thirsty, | | | | Jesus, what He has to offer. |
| eager to have, what God has given us. That does | | | | Come and drink, and streams of living water will |
| not always happen. We see this supremely in | | | | flow from within. John explains that Jesus here is |
| Jesus, and that may be a little comfort to us | | | | referring to the Holy Spirit. Jesus gives you a |
| when we see so few wanting to eat and drink | | | | drink and that drink becomes a well, a gusher, a |
| spiritually speaking. | | | | source from which streams of refreshing can |
| It is demanding, but it is not easy. | | | | flow. |
| Turn to John Chapter 7, in the New Testament, | | | | This is a season of celebration and thanksgiving, |
| where we read of Jesus appearing at the Feast | | | | as we remember the goodness and faithfulness |
| of Tabernacles in Jerusalem. | | | | of God. But it is very much a time of flowing too; |
| On the last and greatest day of the Feast, a | | | | for pouring out in service, for ministry to those |
| priest would walk through Jerusalem with a water | | | | who are very thirsty, to those whose lives are |
| jar, down to the pool of Siloam, and have it filled, | | | | engulfed in darkness, and they so need the light |
| symbolising the importance of water in a land | | | | of Jesus Christ. |
| where rain is very scarce. He would re-enter the | | | | This is a challenge to leadership at every level, in |
| city with the jar of water. | | | | every walk of life. |
| In this setting Jesus cries out in a loud voice. If | | | | Be filled and overflow. Be a sign to the world. Be |
| any man is thirsty let him come to me and drink. | | | | refreshed and go and refresh others. |