Streams of Living Water
“Behold, water was coming from below the threshold of the temple toward the east. The water was flowing down from the south end of the temple, trickling out on the south side. Going eastward at a thousand cubits, I was led through water that was ankle-deep. Another thousand and it was knee-deep. Again, a thousand and it was waist deep. Measured at another thousand and it was a river that I could not pass through, deep enough to swim in. The man said to me, ‘Son of man, have you seen this?’ Then he led me back to the bank of the river. There were very many trees on both sides. The man said, ‘This water flows east down into the Arabah and enters the sea (Dead Sea), and the water will become fresh. Fishermen will stand by the sea and spread their nets. The trees beside the river will grow all kinds of food and will not wither, it’s fruit will not fail.’” Ezekiel 47:1-12
What is this vision given to the prophet Ezekiel? Living water is a metaphor used by Jesus when he talks to the woman at the well (John 4:10), saying, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.” There seems to be a link, as the water coming from the temple in Ezekiel’s vision causes all in its path to come to life, even the barren desert between Jerusalem and the Dead Sea, and even the Sea itself, teaming with fish (which it normally doesn’t have since it is so salty). But there’s more.
Water is a big deal in Israel, where much of the land is barren until rains come, which is not often. When the rains do come the desert comes to life with green meadows and flowers blooming, trees yielding their fruits. I remember experiencing this once while visiting relatives in the Phoenix, Arizona area after they’d had rain. I ventured out into the desert with my camera east of Apache Junction and found the landscape beautiful as flowers bloomed from the cactus all around me.
Isaiah 44:3 says, “For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour my Spirit upon your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants.” This will happen when the Messiah comes. And Jesus tells the woman at the well, “I am he.”
Later, to the disciples’ surprise, the Messiah will be subjected to torture, he will be crowned with thorns, taken and nailed to a cross, and he will die. But three days later he will rise from the grave! He will appear to them and tell them to wait for his Spirit to be sent. On Pentecost he sends his Spirit to begin the church age, and the apostle Peter goes out to preach the first resurrection sermon. Some believe Peter stood on the south side of the temple, where the water trickled out in Ezekiel’s vision. He preaches that the Messiah has been crucified, but risen from the grave, and as the people cry out, “What shall we do?” he tells them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38).
3,000 of them are baptized! The remains of mikvehs (ceremonial baths) can still be found just south of the temple in Jerusalem, probably where these people were baptized. The trickle of water coming out of the temple is growing. In the weeks and months to follow it will leave Jerusalem and go into barren places, including among the Gentiles, bringing life to all the gospel touches, just as Ezekiel envisioned. Eventually it will spread throughout the Roman Empire. Living water indeed! Are you thirsty?
Cross Point: Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” John 7:37, 38
What is this vision given to the prophet Ezekiel? Living water is a metaphor used by Jesus when he talks to the woman at the well (John 4:10), saying, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.” There seems to be a link, as the water coming from the temple in Ezekiel’s vision causes all in its path to come to life, even the barren desert between Jerusalem and the Dead Sea, and even the Sea itself, teaming with fish (which it normally doesn’t have since it is so salty). But there’s more.
Water is a big deal in Israel, where much of the land is barren until rains come, which is not often. When the rains do come the desert comes to life with green meadows and flowers blooming, trees yielding their fruits. I remember experiencing this once while visiting relatives in the Phoenix, Arizona area after they’d had rain. I ventured out into the desert with my camera east of Apache Junction and found the landscape beautiful as flowers bloomed from the cactus all around me.
Isaiah 44:3 says, “For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour my Spirit upon your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants.” This will happen when the Messiah comes. And Jesus tells the woman at the well, “I am he.”
Later, to the disciples’ surprise, the Messiah will be subjected to torture, he will be crowned with thorns, taken and nailed to a cross, and he will die. But three days later he will rise from the grave! He will appear to them and tell them to wait for his Spirit to be sent. On Pentecost he sends his Spirit to begin the church age, and the apostle Peter goes out to preach the first resurrection sermon. Some believe Peter stood on the south side of the temple, where the water trickled out in Ezekiel’s vision. He preaches that the Messiah has been crucified, but risen from the grave, and as the people cry out, “What shall we do?” he tells them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38).
3,000 of them are baptized! The remains of mikvehs (ceremonial baths) can still be found just south of the temple in Jerusalem, probably where these people were baptized. The trickle of water coming out of the temple is growing. In the weeks and months to follow it will leave Jerusalem and go into barren places, including among the Gentiles, bringing life to all the gospel touches, just as Ezekiel envisioned. Eventually it will spread throughout the Roman Empire. Living water indeed! Are you thirsty?
Cross Point: Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” John 7:37, 38
Posted in Cross Points