Strolling through the neighborhood the other day, a sight caught my eye and intrigued me.  There was a Siamese cat drinking from a bird bath.  Now, that’s not something that I see every day!  I couldn’t help but consider how Jesus had come to save the lost sheep of Israel, but that very salvation would end up being offered to the Gentiles, too.  Like the cat that drank from the birdbath, we are able to come to enjoy the saving grace of Christ that is extended to all people.

John, the Apostle, tells us in his Gospel account how Jesus spoke to the throngs of people gathered in Jerusalem at the culmination of the Feast of Tabernacles. Nearly all week, a daily procession of the priests went from the Temple to the Pool of Siloam to draw water and return through the Water Gate in order to pour the water out on the altar as a libation.  The marching was accompanied by singing, flute playing, dancing and the waving of branches. 

Jesus seems to use the ceremony involving the water as a backdrop to illustrate a teaching to the crowd.  John writes in Chapter 7:37-39; “On the last day, the climax of the festival, Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, “Anyone who is thirsty may come to me!  Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’” (When he said “living water,” he was speaking of the Spirit, who would be given to everyone believing in him.)

Just as the tomcat drinks water from a bird bath; so each one of us may ‘come and drink’ from Jesus.  Regardless of our heritage or social status; irrespective of our skin color or genealogy; with no regard to our education level or financial condition, we may all come and drink from Christ.  Anyone can be saved from their sins and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, which gives us the ‘living water’, or the very presence of God living within the heart of the Believer. 

If you’re tired of being thirsty, then come to Jesus Christ and drink.  He will quench the thirst in your soul and give you peace as He forgives your sins and refreshes you with His Spirit.