36 of 52 Voices September 17, 2014

The C3 Leaders devotion is a peer weekly reflection from business leaders related to their journey with Christ. Each weekly devotion will be written by a different author from among the C3 Leaders community.

As we go through this next year together, we pray that these words and reflections will encourage you in your relationship with Jesus Christ.

By Dean Orrico, Director of the Just Business Roundtable

“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.”  ‭John‬ ‭7‬:‭37-38‬ ESV

I once read that this Feast always lasted 7 days.  They brought all of their best foods and beverages from the surrounding countryside and met in Jerusalem.  The crowds celebrated (read “ate and drank enthusiastically”) for 6 days then REALLY poured it on the last day.  On this last big day — after these people had sated themselves with the best they could produce for a full week and then (unbelievably) INCREASED their intake — Jesus stood up.

This version says He “cried out.”  The Greek implies He “shrieked like a raven.”  It was as though He watched them labor to find satisfaction in their own resources until He could stand it no longer and finally exploded.  “OK!  You’ve tried and tried!  Your body is full but your soul is empty!  I can put what you need INTO you!”

There have been many cultures in human history that made it their goal to supply themselves with every possible enjoyment, pleasure and luxury in order to satisfy their longings for life, freedom, happiness and love.  America probably ranks in the top five.  And Jesus has been standing here, day after day, crying out, “Come to Me and drink.”

Let’s remind each other to stop for His refreshment.  As the old chorus ends, “I’m drinking from the springs of living water, oh, won’t you come and have a drink with me?!”