What are you seeking?

I don’t mean for this to be a series or anything, but I keep seeing this question throughout John. (Maybe because I’m preaching on this question on Sunday).

In verses 37-38, Jesus cries out,

If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. The one who believes in me, as the Scripture has said, will have streams of living water flow from deep within him. (John 7:37-38)

There are probably two pictures here. At the Feast of Tabernacles, there was a water ritual which reminded the Israelites of how God provided water for them in the desert through a rock that was struck by Moses.

In that same way, Jesus was struck for us on the cross, and because of that, we receive “water” that leads to eternal life from him.

The Holy Spirit (verse 39) himself comes into our lives and makes us new people.

But there’s another picture, provided in Isaiah chapter 55.

God speaks and says,

Come, everyone who is thirsty,
come to the water;
and you without silver,
come, buy, and eat!

Come, buy wine and milk
without silver and without cost!

Why do you spend silver on what is not food,
and your wages on what does not satisfy?

Listen carefully to me, and eat what is good,
and you will enjoy the choicest of foods.

Pay attention and come to me;
listen, so that you will live. (Isaiah 55:1-3)

Again, are we seeking? Are we seeking things that do not satisfy? Or do we seek Jesus, who alone can satisfy?

But notice what is the result of coming to God and drinking of the water he provides.

so you will summon a nation you do not know,
and nations who do not know you will run to you. (Isaiah 55:5)

That’s what I want in Japan (and in all nations for that matter). That people would see the glory of God in us, and run to us wondering why we’re so different.

What do we tell them when they do? The message found in verses 1-3. And the message in verse 6-7.

Seek the LORD while he may be found;
call to him while he is near.

Let the wicked one abandon his way
and the sinful one his thoughts;
let him return to the LORD,
so he may have compassion on him,
and to our God, for he will freely forgive. (Isaiah 55:6-7)

And God promises,

my word that comes from my mouth
will not return to me empty,
but it will accomplish what I please
and will prosper in what I send it to do. (Isaiah 55:11)

And as we are filled with the God’s Spirit, touching people’s lives, God says,

You will indeed go out with joy
and be peacefully guided;
the mountains and the hills will break into singing before you,
and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. （Isaiah 55:12）

May we all seek a life filled with God’s Spirit and love to the point of overflowing. A life that touches others so that not only we find joy, but the the people we touch find it too.