By: Curtis Evelo | September 2, 2021
As we get through this summer on the ranch we have been in a severe drought in the West and Northwest, with extreme heat and not very much measurable rainfall this spring, it has set us up to consider many different functions and options on the ranch. But by far the most common conversation around the area is the lack of rain and the value of water. Here at the ranch we have irrigation water and a good portion of the land is irrigated so we are able to hopefully build enough forage for grazing to get us into winter a ways but due to this lack of water (and I’m sure other factors) in the west other costs have skyrocketed and left many in a bad spot having to decide to cut out a large portion of the herd just to be able to feed the portion they keep. While sitting on the porch the other day I got thinking of a section of scripture in John 7.
“On the last and most important day of the festival, Jesus stood up and cried 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, CSB).
Now that had to be quite the confrontation! I’m sure the Pharisees and priests and even the crowd stood there in bewilderment and even frustration (“aw great this guy again…!”). I mean just imagine the exchange, this whole chapter he has been challenging and pushing back on the teachings of that time. They had many disputes with Jesus during this time so much so that they tried to catch him and arrest him. And then to cap it all off he stands up in the crowd and shouts that he’s the living water during the most celebrated day of the festival.
Let’s go on a journey a little bit. Let’s look at this context and look at the culture at that time. The time period Jesus was walking in Jerusalem was in the second temple period. This time period came to an end around A.D. 70. Rome was the government over Jerusalem but the Jewish people were still in the town and surrounding areas. Within this context, Jesus went up to the temple to teach and reveal something to the people there. He went up during the festival of booths (Sukkot) a seven day festival. Each evening after the sacrifices were completed the priest would do a ceremony called the “water libation ceremony.” It was a highlight for the people and they celebrated as if it was. The priest would fill water vessels with water from the pool of Siloam then pour it out over the altar. It was at this point that Jesus cried out the statement recorded in John 7. As the priest was pouring out the water to cleanse the altar, they all heard “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 flowing from deep within.” Living Water, that sounds amazing!!
What really caught me in the text is the words of Jesus saying “come to me” and “the one who believes in me” and what is implicit in it is the very thing you need for survival is the life giving water that is accessible through Jesus! Water is such a specific necessity for life and going through this drought here in the West. It is obvious with every drop of rain the grass gets a different color starting to show. The birds return and the activity of animals is back to a more normal observation. So just like nature our souls need the living water provided by the very supply that we can freely take part in by just simply coming to Jesus and believe in the works he has done for us.
About the Author
Curtis Evelo is a cattle rancher at the E6 Hereford Ranch in St. Ignatius, Montana. Curtis is the Co-Host and Producer of the Bellator Christi Podcast. He often teaches and speaks at his church Cornerstone Faith Center in St. Ignatius. Curtis provides a common-sense approach to Christianity as he contemplates the wonders of God’s creation in Big Sky Country.
Resources for Further Reflection
Brian G. Chilton and Curtis Evelo, “Good Prophet, Bad Prophet, and the Knowledge of God in 1 Kings 13,” https://bellatorchristi.com/2021/08/24/good-prophet-bad-prophet-knowledge-of-god-1-kings-13/
Curtis Evelo, “The Crimson Worm,” https://bellatorchristi.com/2019/04/16/the-crimson-worm/
(Podcast) “1 John 4:7-12–The Manifestations of God’s Love,” https://bellatorchristi.com/2020/03/15/podcast-3-15-20-1-john-47-12-the-manifestations-of-gods-love/
