“On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.” (John 7:37-39)
These words of Jesus speak to the hearts of all human beings today as much as they did 2000 years ago. Billions of people are weary of violence and hated and thirsting for truth and peace which can only come by faith in Jesus. That is why this image of living water was so powerful and attractive when Jesus first spoke this promise. Water was precious and it was life itself. At that time fresh flowing water was scarce in Israel. An everlasting supply of such water meant eternal and abundant life.
So just as we all need water to live, we all need that river of living water that Jesus offers in order to live a life of meaning and purpose as members of the Kingdom of God. That living water is the Holy Spirit Who is granted to all who put their faith in Jesus. The indwelling Holy Spirit makes it possible for us to have abiding fellowship with the Father and the Son. When He comes to dwell in us, all of His nature, attributes and power come with Him. He enables us to live a holy life, to be set apart from the world, set apart to God for His purposes. He teaches us to resist temptation and to walk in obedience. He flows through us enabling us to bring the message of the gospel to all who are thirsty.