Narrative Lectionary Key Verse for Today
“Let anyone who is thirsty come to me, and let the one who believes in me drink. As the scripture has said, ‘Out of the believer’s heart shall flow rivers of living water.’”
NL Daily Devotion for Sunday, February 20, 2022
by Dr. Kimberly Leetch, Clergy Stuff
Main Idea: We can be living water…alive and flowing.
In the region in which Jesus preached, there was a sea called The Dead Sea. It was considered dead because nothing could survive in those heavily salted waters. Nearby was the Sea of Galilee, which was thriving and teeming with life. The main difference between the two was that water flowed into and out of the Sea of Galilee freely, while water flowing into the Dead Sea pooled there, with no outflow. In other words, the sea that ceased to move water was dead.
While preaching, Jesus spoke, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me.” He invited people who desired more for their lives to follow him. Jesus then quoted scripture, “Out of the believer’s heart shall flow rivers of living water.” If “living” water is water that moves, and if living water comes from the believer’s heart, then followers of Jesus rise to the occasion when they move and flow. To be a follower is to act.
Many who heard Jesus didn’t like what he had to say. Leaders were threatened by his words, and also by his actions. Jesus was not one to remain stagnant. Jesus was alive—active, moving, flowing, changing the world.
We are invited to believe, follow, and flow with rivers of living water. We are invited to act, flow, and change the world.