#3: One of the Great Metaphors for Life
The Water of Life
This is the third in a series of the 12 greatest metaphors for life.
The first was the breath of life because a person can only live three minutes without air.
Next was the shelter of life because in harsh climes a person without shelter can only live 3 hours.
Now we are talking about the water of life — which a normal person can live without for only three days. [1]
The Water of Life
Water is such an important part of life that ancient cultures were built in areas where it was plentiful. In addition, they relied heavily upon wells. We see this throughout the Old Testament Scriptures (Genesis 26:21; Genesis 29:3; Exodus 2:17; Numbers 20:17).
The Thirst Quencher Is Thirsty
In the New Testament Jesus Himself succumbs to thirst at a well and asks a Samaritan woman for a drink of water (John 4:7). The woman chides Jesus for asking her for a drink, since He was a Jew and she a Samaritan (and a woman).
Jesus responds with these words, "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, 'Give Me a drink,' you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water" (John 4:10). This living water that He offered would become a well springing up to eternal life (John 4:14).
The Living Water
Later Jesus reveals that that He Himself is the living water, saying "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink" (John 7:37). He was referring of the power of the Holy Spirit who was to be given at Pentecost. This Holy Spirit would cause "rivers of living water" to flow from within those who would believe in Him (John 7:38-39). Water gives life to the body, the Living Water gives life to the soul.
Water is not only a metaphor for life — it is also a metaphor for the One who gives eternal life. When God uses water as a metaphor for life — we need to be sure that we are drinking good, healthy life-giving water as God designed. Learn more here.
What a good God we serve. Please share His goodness with others by sharing this post on your favorite social media.
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[1] http://www.livescience.com/32320-how-long-can-a-person-survive-without-water.html