Ascension to Pentecost - Water of Life
Following the Easter week and Gone Fishing reflection events, The "Living Water" reflection provides reflections commencing with Jesus Ascension
1 Journey Ascension to Pentecost
"Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight.
Acts 1:9
The apostles returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day’s walk from the city.
Acts 1:12
The Ascension marks the end of one phase of the Gospel and the beginning of another. Jesus' personal ministry on earth has ended and the ministry of Jesus through the Church is about to begin. Physically, this took place on the Mount of Olives: Significant?
Jewish worship is based on beginning the calendar on the correct day following the memorial of Passover reminding the people what God had done for them.
"This month [the Passover month] shall be your beginning of months; it shall be the first month
of the year to you."
Exodus 12:2
The appearance of the new moon was key, and set by the Sanhedrin in Jerusalem. It would then be communicated by fire beacons, commencing from the Mount of Olives all the way to Babylon.
2 Great Commission
Jesus gave the commission:
"But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem,
and all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
Acts 1:8
It was from the Mount of Olives that the Glory of the Lord left Israel. (Ezekiel. 11:23). and it would be here that the
Glory of the Lord would return. on the
final day. Jesus made His triumphant entry into Jerusalem by way of the Mount of Olives! (Mark. 11). and He will return!
On that day his feet will stand on the Mount
of Olives, east of Jerusalem, and the Mount
of Olives will be split in two from east to west, forming a great valley, Zechariah 14:4
On that day living water will flow out from Jerusalem, half of it east to the Dead Sea and
half of it west to the Mediterranean Sea v.8
Consider how each word in scripture can be meaningful, yet often the significance can be missed. Where are you being challenged to look again?
Lord help us to be a beacon fire, shining in the darkness to proclaim the Good News! Thank you that the Spirit of Truth brings freedom and abundance.
3. Water of Life - Living Water – Coming of Pentecost .
Journeying through the Holy Land, we consider the image of water from its source, a place of life and abundance and through the desert to be an oasis. Jesus said "I am the Living Water" and offers all to come and drink
River Jordan Waterfall at En Gedi
Water is a building block of life, a necessity without which we cannot survive.
“Drink lots of water,” “Sip it constantly, 3 – 5 litres a day.” Travelling in a desert culture nothing is more precious than water. Maybe that’s why the Bible often uses water imagery
To dip one’s toes in the Sea of Galilee, where Jesus rebuked the wind, calmed the storm, walked on the water and see the hills nearby where he preached to the multitudes, adds a new context to spiritual beliefs and understanding.
Yahweh will lead you continually, and satisfy your soul in a barren land, and
he will strengthen your bones, and you shall be like a well-watered garden,
and like a spring of water whose water does not fail. Isaiah 58:11
Water is precious. Water is Life. Spiritually we have two choices, to go our own way, or choose God.
Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert. The burning sand will become a pool, the thirsty ground bubbling springs Isaiah 35:5-7
The presence of rain is associated with blessing from God. A recurring image in scripture is that of living water. God’s redemption is likened to him sending abundant rain, giving them living water to drink.. In the Middle East, water is scarce and precious, and needed for survival. Only a few months of the year does rain fall in Israel, and the rest of the time the people survived on water stored in cisterns. When rain does fall after many months of clear blue skies, it seems to be a miraculous gift from God.
With the physical presence of water comes the deeper spiritual reflection of God`s presence and promise.
River Jordan with flowering abundance
For I will pour out water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out My Spirit on your offspring and My blessing on your descendants; and they will spring up among the grass like poplars by streams of water. Isaiah 44: 3 – 4
4 Source of water
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Whilst the British can have
a preponderance for the weather, so Israel keeps a watch on its water supply, noting the winter on Mount Hermon that will replenish
the waters of the River Jordon.
One of the sources of the Jordan River is at Dan below Mount Hermon. There are 17 springs joining together to form a
rapidly flowing river that flows south into the Sea of Galilee, and continues south until it empties into the Dead Sea.
In Joel, the outpouring of God’s Spirit in the last days is
closely associated with living water:
Be glad, O people of Zion, rejoice in the Lord your God,
for he has given you the autumn rains in righteousness. He sends you abundant showers, both autumn and spring rains, as before… Then you will know that I am in Israel, that I am the Lord your God, Joel 2:23
Banias spring bubbles into shallow stream that soon becomes the River Jordan flowing to
the Sea of Galilee and on through the desert to the Dead Sea.
Reflection - Seeing or listening to the sound of water, let God speak to you through it.
Where do you find your source of life?
In what ways do you recognize water as a symbol of God’s gift and generosity?
Water is one of the essentials of life. Scripture reminds us to bless God for the good land he has given us and the water he so abundantly provides. Give thanks
God we need your refreshing. Bubbling up, growing deeper, flowing forward taking us with your Spirit.
God open the windows of heaven and pour a blessing out upon us and bring cleansing to our heart and soul.
5 Cisterns or Wells?
Before moving forward it`s good to reflect on the Lord`s challenge through Jeremiah as to where we get our water.
A cistern differs from a well in that a well is fed by underground water seepage, while a cistern stores runoff rainwater. Each house generally had its own cistern. Rain falling on the roof was collected and channelled to the cistern for use when well water was unavailable.
Cisterns are important in the land of
Israel because of the long dry season and the relatively few natural springs,
but a broken cistern is practically worthless. Cracked rock or crumbling masonry could hold only a small quantity of dirty water, or no water at all.
My people have committed two sins:
They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns,
broken cisterns that cannot hold water.
Jeremiah 2:13
Cistern at Massada
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Jeremiah`s message was spoken as a rebuke to people who were no longer totally committed to God. Certainly the broken cistern illustration has an application for God's people today.
Imagine yourself as a thirsty person in a parched land, turning away from a bubbling spring of cool water to hack out a cistern in the parched dirt, under the hot sun, in the hope of collecting some rain water! If no natural spring existed nearby, digging a cistern would be the best thing you could do, but when it is freely available.... Where are you finding water?
Lord, forgive us when we pass up the opportunity to drink living water, and instead
dig for what is stagnant. Thank you that the living water supply is continually
renewed and replenished so the water is fresh and impurities are washed away.
6 Baptism
Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was
baptized by John in the Jordan Matthew 1:9
The life-giving properties of the Jordan are seen symbolically in the story of Naaman. This Syrian general came to Elisha to be cleansed of leprosy, and Elisha sends him to bathe in the Jordan. After some grumbling that there’s nothing special about the river, Naaman eventually consents, and his flesh is restored as if he’d been given a new life (2 Kings 5:14) In baptism we commit to the same experience.
Along the River Jordan there are many places Jesus could have met John. The actual site is not important but that it was the River Jordan is. In biblical times, the River Jordan was a source of life similar to the Nile but on a smaller scale. It rarely rains in the Jordan Valley, but thanks to the river, plants grow in abundance, and people settled on its banks and alongside the Sea of Galilee which the river flows through.
The Jordan is also a great barrier. It served as a boundary In biblical times. There were no bridges over the Jordan. The river formed the border of the promised land, and even today, the Jordan is a formidable barrier — you have to cross a minefield to use one of the bridges across it!
Because the Jordan was a barrier, many of its stories concern its crossing.
After forty years in the wilderness, Joshua leads Israel across the Jordan, with God miraculously stopping the flooded river, just as he had done with the Red Sea (Joshua 3-4)
Both .Elijah and Elisha stood before the same river The water parts and they both cross over on dry ground before Elijah ascends to heaven.
Tell them that the flow of the Jordan was cut off before the ark of the
covenant of the Lord. When it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the
Jordan were cut off. These stones are to be a memorial to the
people of Israel forever." Joshua 4:7
Renewing baptismal vows
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Renewing baptism vows, similar to the Israelites building a memorial, each act to provide a summary in a moment in time that can be looked back on to mark an important step on our individual journey.
Yardenit on River Jordan
When Jesus was baptised in the Jordan, God said "You are my beloved, in whom I am well pleased".
What does God say to you when you choose to follow Him? Ponder His cleansing, revealing presence.
We thank you Jesus for the cleansing, healing waters that you call us to immerse ourselves in.
7 Oasis
The Judean wilderness is a landscape of rock, ravine and desert sand with the occasional scrub plant. Looking at this panorama, one can hardly guess whether a refreshing pool of water stands nearby. But in one of the wilderness, many wadis, the oasis of En Gedi provides a cool refuge from the wilderness. It has sustained jungle-like greenery for thousands of years. A dramatic change in the scenery easily spotted when trees and lush growth are seen in the formation of an oasis.
An oasis supports green growth alongside natural waters, like at Jericho. (below)
Further into the desert, a spring of water runs from a rock, flowing down a cliff and creating the beautiful waterfall of En Gedi. Surrounding En Gedi, the Judean Wilderness is a picture of dust and dryness with caves scattered amidst the rocks. About a mile away, the salty and still waters of the Dead Sea can be seen, yet the waters of En Gedi provide a cool, refreshing refuge amidst the barren Judean desert.
As the deer pants for streams of water,
so my soul pants for you, my God.
My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?
Psalm 42:1-2
David and his men travelled through this area as they hid from Saul. No doubt they enjoyed a moment of rest at En Gedi, drinking from the pure water. For centuries, men and women have soothed their thirst, and enjoyed the peace of En Gedi during their wilderness travels.
Road from Jerusalem to Jericho
Reflect on the contrasts of life you find yourself in. Where is the lush, nourished areas and where the desert dry parched land?
Ibex at En Gedi
8 New Life
En Gedi Waterfall not far from the Dead Sea
You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you;
I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you,
in a dry and parched land where there is no water.
Psalm 63:1
Reflect: As the Israelites faced their battles, they grew weary of their mission to be a holy people. In the midst of difficulties, what refreshment and strength from God is needed? Where do you find your oasis when rest and refreshment is needed?
Upper Waterfall of En Gedi
See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.
Isaiah 43:19
Thank you Father, for times of refreshing and renewal. Thank you for the hope of the New Jerusalem
where we will walk in your presence and experience your springs of Living Water.
9 Well of Salvation
The image of living water is a feature of the ministry of Jesus. In John he explains to a Samaritan woman that he is the one who truly brings living water into the world.
Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again; but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.
John 4:13-14
Water symbolizes God's salvation, as Isaiah says :
"With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation," Isaiah 12: 3; 41: 17
Dead Sea in Judean Desert where with salt concentration you float
The idea of living water, refers to water in the form of rain or flowing from a natural spring, which has come directly from God, not carried by human hands or stored in cisterns. It also is a contrast to sea water, especially that of the Dead Sea, 1290ft below sea level, which looks refreshing but where nothing lives,
During the feast of Sukkot or Tabernacles, on the last and greatest day, when the prayers of Israel were an impassioned plea for God to bless them with rain, Jesus made a statement:
“On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, "If anyone
is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink! He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’"
John 7:37-38
Reflect:
How thirsty are you? Where do you find yourself on the image between desert to well-watered?
Pool of Siloam with Hezekiah`s Tunnel entrance
Lord, we are thirsty! We come to you, to draw and be filled to over-flowing with your Living Water.
An interesting rabbinic insight is that “living water” is understood to mean a true knowledge of God, who teaches God’s will, guides and directs.
On the eighth and final day of the Feast of Tabernacles, the ritual of fetching water from the Pool of Siloam and pouring it out on the temple altar was not repeated as on the previous days. It was then that Jesus chose to make the startling announcement. On the one day of the feast when no water was poured, Jesus stood up and filled the gap.
10 Pool of Siloam
Jesus spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes. “Go,” he told him, “wash in the Pool of Siloam” John 9:6
With joy you will draw water from
the wells of salvation.
Isaiah 12:3
Reflect:
Has God given an instruction for you to follow? What do you need to do now?
If healing is needed, you can wash in
His healing, living waters.
Pool of Siloam is the outlet from the Gihon Spring that provides water for Jerusalem on the southern slope of the City of David, close to the Temple Mount. Its water was used in the Temple rituals as part of the purification ceremony.
We don`t know where Jesus met the man, but having put mud on his eyes, he sent him to the pool that means "sent". How did he make his way? He was blind. Did he have help? We don`t know, but the man had an opportunity that he was not going to miss! He would need to descend someway to get to the Pool to wash and receive his sight. Jesus told him what he had to do but the man had to hear and act in faith.
in Jewish tradition Siloam waters have a prophetic connotation from Isaiah 44:3-4 water poured "upon him that is thirsty,.. God will pour out His Spirit upon all flesh. The waters of Siloam were used to anoint the kings of the house of David, and that anointing was symbolic of the Holy Spirit coming upon an individual (1 Sam. 16:13), so the living waters of Siloam became associated with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
Based on Isaiah 12:3, the Pool of Siloam became known as the "well of salvation" and was associated with the messianic age. To the Jewish people of the Temple, pouring water on the altar at the Feast of Tabernacles was symbolic of the Holy Spirit poured out during the days of the coming Messiah.
Thank you Father for fulfilling your promise to provide the well of salvation in Jesus and anointing with the Holy Spirit.
11 Hezekiah`s Tunnel
The Pool of Siloam was named because the fresh waters were “sent” from the Gihon Spring, the only natural spring and reliable source of water. King Hezekiah wanted to secure Jerusalem`s water supply and deny it to the approaching army who would lay siege to the City. The re-routed water travelled through an underground aqueduct known as Hezekiah`s Tunnel that is an amazing piece of engineering. Previously the Canaanites had built a tunnel to irrigate the crops in the Kidron Valley.
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They gathered a large group of people who blocked all the springs and the stream that flowed through the land. "Why should the kings of Assyria come and find plenty of water?" they said.
2 Chronicles 32:4
As for the other events of Hezekiah's reign, all his achievements and how he made the pool and the tunnel by which he brought water into the city, are they not written in the book of the annals of the kings of Judah?
2 Kings 20:20
descending to Hezekiah`s tunnel
To cut this channel, workers began tunnelling through the rock from either end, until they met in the middle, but at a perfect gradient to facilitate the flow of water. Inside Hezekiah’s tunnel, carved into the rock wall near the exit, an inscription reads: “The tunnelling was completed …. While the hewers wielded the axe, each man toward his fellow … there was heard a man’s voice calling to his fellow … the hewers hacked each toward the other, axe against axe, and the water flowed from the spring to the pool, a distance of 1,200 cubits.”
It was Hezekiah who blocked the upper outlet of the Gihon spring and channelled the water down to the west side of the City of David. He succeeded in everything he undertook.
2 Chronicles 32:30
This recording in the Bible reminds us how desperately we need spiritual spring water from God. Both physically and spiritually you have to get to the water. Being willing to carve through solid rock—to do whatever it takes to break through and get to the water. That spiritual effort and that spiritual water are the only things that will lead to a joyous and fruitful life.
Reflect:
Whatever it takes, keep those living waters flowing in your life.
What `effort` do you put in or need to, to keep the flow?
12 Water course
Walking in single file through
the narrow Tunnel, the water
can be ankle, knee, thigh or waist height. Once commenced the only light comes from torches or candles taken with you. There are no passing places as the tunnel twists and turns on its course.
Today, a walk through Hezekiah`s Tunnel is a fun opportunity on a tourist itinerary. A time to sing "This Little Light of mine" , "Flow river flow" or something similar. But there are some insights to reflect upon. Allow the following thoughts to engage you as you listen to God`s voice in the darkness.
In the Tunnel you only see in front as far as light reaches, and without it you are totally blind and groping in the dark.
You must stay completely focused, as the rocks above your heard change their height, and the walls similarly..
No direction changes – go with flow. The route itself does have bends that prevent seeing what is around the corner but once commenced you are committed with no turning back.
During the building, the workers could hear the sounds of the other Tunnel diggers approaching from the other end. It must have been so very encouraging and it meant they were very close.
There really is light at end of tunnel to encourage and draw you towards.
Reflect:
Whatever it takes, keep those
living waters flowing in your life.
What `effort` do you put in or
need to, to keep the flow?
"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you
and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
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Almighty God, sometimes the way ahead seems so clear, but at other times the way seems shrouded with uncertainly and the road ahead seems to be hidden in the questioning shadows. I want Your will to be done in every area of my life. I long to have Your assurance that this is the way to walk, but at times Your will seems to be hidden uncertainly and swamped by a mist of unknowing.
As I step into the future Lord, I place my trust in You. You have promised to be with me wherever I go, for You know the steps that I take.
13 Conservation
Because it is so precious, water needs to be protected from enemy capture and conserved carefully. Today in Israel,, waste water is recycled and travels though purple pipes throughout the country, used mainly in agricultural pursuits. Similarly, to both protect and conserve, they developed a way of drip feed individual plants that can be directed from a distance.
Drip irrigation was used in Galilee whilst enemies fired at the farmers tending their crops. Now they could water remotely.
Almighty God, all creation is your handiwork. Give us wisdom and grace that we may exercise wise stewardship
of this Earth;
Help us to appreciate, and cherish the world`s resources; That all may enjoy its riches, throughout all generations,
and Your name be glorified through all that you have made.
The Lord God took the man and put him in the
Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.
Genesis 2:15
From a response to warfare, the technology has become a world
wide aid to conservation.
... and they shall beat their swords into ploughshares',
and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore. Isaiah 2:4
14 Gihon Spring
Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, … had Solomon mount King David's mule, and they escorted him to Gihon. Zadok the priest took the horn of oil from the sacred tent and anointed Solomon. Then they sounded the trumpet and all the people shouted, "Long live King Solomon!" 1 Kings 1:38-39
Consider the life giving properties of water from a spring and the human engineering fetes that help to maintain and transport that life. What part does human endeavour play with God`s purposes?
David said, "Anyone who conquers the Jebusites will have to use the water shaft to reach those 'lame and blind' who are David's enemies."
2 Samuel 5:8
Without the Gihon Spring, there would be no Pool of Siloam or Hezekiah`s Tunnel. The Spring is a "gushing" intermittent spring.
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This was the place where the coup against King David
was thwarted.
It also was the place that previously had allowed David
to conquer the City that had defied and intimidated him.
Christian spirituality is rooted in the free grace of God, the all-sufficiency of Jesus and the empowering of the Holy Spirit. Yet the Bible urges us to action, to “make every effort to add to our faith, ” 2 Peter 1:3-5 to pursue holiness. Spiritual disciplines of engagement serve to stimulate and promote a healthy inner life.
There is a difference between natural meandering rivers from their source and engineered aqueducts. As a metaphor think of things that we just let happen and things we initiate intentionally to get the water of life to the world.
Faith and work is needed to fulfil God`s command to tend the Garden (Genesis 2:15) Hezekiah`s tunnel has illustrated the partnership between nature and human development. Natural gifts (Gihon Spring) are supplemented by human initiative. (Hezekiah`s Tunnel)
Source of Living Water, help us to attend to the well within, to protect the wellspring of our hearts from which our words and attitudes flow, the decisions and actions that shape our character and the impact of our lives. Give us courage and creativity to join you in your initiatives and to initiate where you give us opportunity to bring your touch into our world.
15 Living Water
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. Psalm 46:4
In Ezekiel 47 there is a beautiful prophecy of water coming from the temple in Jerusalem, past a desert arid landscape, gaining strength and bringing healing and flourishing to the land either side, before making the Dead Sea waters fresh.
The water was coming down from under the south side of the temple, south of the altar. He then brought me out through the north gate and led me around the outside to the outer gate facing east, and the water was trickling from the south side. Ezekiel 47:1
Fishermen will stand along the shore; from En Gedi to En Eglaim there will be places for spreading nets. The fish will be of many kinds—like the fish of the Mediterranean Sea. Ezekiel 47:10
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Fishing on the shores of Sea of Galilee
The prophecy is an encouragement that whatever we are currently experiencing, there is a future hope that comes from God himself, speaking of life and plenty.
There is also much symbolism and intrigue!
The water emanating from the Temple flowed out from under the East Gate. Ezekiel in his vision was taken out of the north gate and travelled round to where the water flowed. The East Gate also known as the Golden Gate or Gate Beautiful, gives direct access to the Temple precincts and being across the valley from the Mount of Olives would be the likely entrance on Palm Sunday. The current, later built gate was sealed by the Ottoman sultan in 1540. However, in Ezekiel he says that the Glory of God left (Ezekiel 10:18-19) through the East Gate and also returned (Ezekiel 43:1-5), with the gate remaining closed (Ezekiel 44:1-2)
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Fruit trees of all kinds will grow on both banks of the river. Their leaves will not wither, nor will their fruit fail. Every month they will bear fruit, because the water from the sanctuary flows to them. Their fruit will serve for food and their leaves for healing.” v12
Grapes, dates, figs, myrtle
The fruit and leaves produced reveal abundance, variety and healing properties empowered by God
16 Outpouring
From the Southside of the temple flows the river in Ezekiel`s vision. The southside, now known as Ophel, had a large stepped entrance way. It is a public gathering place where the worshippers entered the temple, and was a common site for public teaching
When Peter preached to the people at the temple at Pentecost, he may have been standing on the south steps, where the water in Ezekiel’s vision flowed !
Peter, taking his stand at Pentecost: `raised his voice and declared “Men of Judea and all you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say
Acts 2:14
One of the Mitzvah below Southern steps
On the south stairs are the mikvehs (ceremonial baths), where 3000
people that day could be baptized in living water from the Gihon.
Peter said, “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. v.38
Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. v.41
He will be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, which gives its fruit at the right
time, whose leaves will ever be green; and
he will do well in all his undertakings.
He sends forth springs in the valleys;
They flow between the mountains;
They give drink to every beast of the field;
The wild donkeys quench their thirst.
Psalm 104: 10-11
The beasts of the field will glorify Me.
The jackals and the ostriches, because I have given waters in the wilderness and rivers in the desert,
to give drink to My chosen people.
Isaiah 43:20
Holy Spirit, Lord and Giver of Life,
At the beginning of time you moved over the face of the waters; you breathe into every living being, the breath of life. Come, Creator Spirit, and renew. Help us to fulfil Your Great Commission to bring Living Waters to those who are thirsty.