The sea to the east of the Jerusalem Temple is the Dead Sea, the saltiest body of water on earth. It's called the Dead Sea for a good reason: nothing can live in it because the water is far too salty to support life. The Dead Sea is very large, too massive for the fresh waters of any natural tributary to impact. Yet the stream flowing from the Temple into the Dead Sea is no ordinary stream. This stream contains fresh, living water (see Jn 7:38). By definition, when fresh water is mixed with salt water, the mixture of waters must result in salt water. Yet in this prophetic image, when this stream hits the Dead Sea, all the dead, salty water is made fresh (Ez 47:9). "Abundant fish" now live there, as many as in the Mediterranean Sea to the west (Ez 47:9-10). All praise be to Jesus, Who gives life where there was once no life!
Is there any part of you that has long been salty and dead? Is there any guilt, sin, addiction, compulsion, or problem which so burdens you that you can see no way out? Maybe this situation has strangled you for what seems like "thirty-eight years" (Jn 5:5). Ask Jesus and He will give you "living water" (Jn 4:10). Jesus came that we "might have life and have it to the full" (Jn 10:10). Jesus is the Life (Jn 11:25; 14:6). He makes a way when there is no way. Jesus makes all things new (Rv 21:5) and fresh.
Jesus is asking you: "Do you want to be healed?" (Jn 5:6) Shout out your "Yes" to Jesus. Let Him freshen up your life. "Come to the water!" (Is 55:1)
| PRAYER: | Jesus, help me lay aside my old life and give me "a fresh, spiritual way of thinking" (Eph 4:22-23). |
| PROMISE: | "There is a stream whose runlets gladden the city of God." –Ps 46:5 |
| PRAISE: | By His abundant grace, Jesus enabled Philip to overcome an addiction he had for decades. |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College