Drinking from the River!

On Pentecost Sunday I was wide-awake at 4 AM and filled with gratitude to be in Jerusalem. Staying in a hotel just over a mile from the Old City, I kept feeling the nudge to venture to the southern steps of the temple mount where over 2000 years ago the dam of heaven broke and the Holy Spirit was released in abundance.

As the darkness of night gave way to the first rays of the morning sun I walked through the narrow streets of the Old City and located a bench with an incredible view of the southern steps and read Acts 2 and Ezekiel 47. Most scholars today believe the outpouring of the Holy Spirit happened on these very steps as the temple is also referred to as the House of God.

Reading these texts I pictured the fire of the Holy Spirit falling on the disciples as they prayed and worshipped with exuberant joy. When the disciples broke forth in languages understood by those present in town to worship at the temple for the feast of Pentecost, people were filled with awe.

Thousands stopped to witness heaven-invading earth as Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, preached with fresh passion. That day 3000 people repented of their sins, put their faith in Jesus, and were baptized in local mitkvahs- the ritual baths all around the southern steps.

The prophet Ezekiel prophesied 600 years earlier that a river would flow from the temple. As the river surged from the temple south towards the Dead Sea it would continue growing deeper and wider and bring life to every place it touched. Trees near the river would bear fruit bringing healing to all nations.

As the sun brilliantly broke over the Mount of Olives and illuminated the steps I found myself rejoicing! The River of the Spirit that started on the Feast of Pentecost is flowing all over the world through the Gospel message and continues to enter into hearts with streams of living water just as Jesus promised in John 7:37-38:

“All you thirsty ones, come to Me! Come to Me and drink! Believe in Me so that rivers of living water will burst out from within you, flowing from your innermost being, just like the Scripture says!”

During our stay in Israel our group witnessed people of every color, tribe, and nation of the world who have encountered this River of Living Water-Jesus’ saving love. People are drawn to this land to see the place where God walked on earth, loved His people, died on the cross, rose from the dead, ascended into heaven and poured out the River of His Spirit. There is no place like it in the world.

Later that Pentecost Sunday our whole group gathered on those same Southern Steps and remembered the work of the Holy Spirit and were challenged to keep drinking from the River so that we can produce the fruit of His love and offer His living water to others thirsty for more than this world has to offer.

What a joy it was to be at the place where the headwaters of the River started and to be reminded that every day I can drink from that river of living water. I don’t have to be in Jerusalem I can drink at ANY place and at ANY time when I turn my eyes to Jesus and ask Him to fill me afresh with the River of His presence.

Today, I encourage you to drink afresh from THE River of His Spirit, as many in our thirsty world need to taste and see the living water of Christ flowing through you!