We live in a time of specialty drinks. From the ordeal of ordering a simple cup of coffee, to organic power drinks, each beverage is customized. Even water needs to come from a European well or mountain stream. When we were children soft drinks were a treat, as were lemonade and ice tea. However, we did have two options for a drink of water out of the kitchen faucet, or on a very hot summer day, straight from the hose. Did you cringe at the last sentence? Those of us who lived the experience did as well. In eighth grade science we learn that water is necessary for life. In fact, we as humans are mostly water, with an allowable factor of hot air and malarkey thrown in. The Space Program of the United States of America seeks signs of intelligent life on other planets. Any hope of proof comes with the discovery of a water source. For life to exist there must be clean drinkable water.
In John 7:37-39, the promise of life giving water first given in the Book of Numbers 20:1-13 is retold. Moses and the people wander from Kadesh seeking to enter Canaan without water until God instructs Moses to strike a rock for living water. In the text from John it is with Jesus being ‘life giving spiritual water’ who in relation to God gives life through the spirit as well. Just as Moses was challenged and threatened in the desert, Jesus is criticized then plotted against by religious opponent; just as the promise of a ‘Land’ was held before the people of Israel. In the third chapter of John, Nicodemus, a religious leader comes to Jesus at night to ask about the Realm of God. In verse five Jesus points that ‘ no one can enter God’s realm without being born of water and spirit.’ While this confounded Nicodemus and some within the early Church along with some today as well, it is consistent with early Christian practice rooted in Paul’s writing, the text of the Book of Acts, and the teachings of the Apostles.
We are told by Cultural Anthropologists that Native American tribal practice held that water was drawn at daybreak with enough brought to last the day. The next morning any left from the day before was considered ‘dead’ and poured out. An interesting concept with regard to modern hygiene and how stasis promotes disease. What is suggested in John’s text through the words of Jesus is that we, like Nicodemus, are called to a double birth; one with water and one from above as in the Holy Spirit. It is both fitting and refreshing we begin the season of Pentecost with this helpful reminder.
