Thirst and Division

AM Psalm 78:1-39 • PM Psalm 78:40-72
Jer. 7:21-34 • Rom. 4:13-25 • John 7:37-52

Our gospel reading today begins with Jesus making a proclamation which includes “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me, and let the one who believes in me drink.” Having been in circumstances where I have been uncomfortably thirsty, it is easy to remember how water in that moment seems like a miracle, and seems like the only thing in the world that matters. This makes it easier to imagine “thirsting” for the love and peace that Jesus offers us. It is a wonderful physical reference for a spiritual longing.

Then we get into the division of the crowd. Having heard his words, many of them were convinced that he was a prophet or even the messiah, but I find it very interesting what they got hung up on. It’s the same thing the religious leaders fell on as well. It wasn’t his message, or how it impacted people. It was where he was from. It was his origin.

Jesus came with a message of inclusion. The boundaries of “God’s chosen people” being defined by origin were broken down with the salvation he offered to all. It is not surprising that those living in that time were hung up on that mentality. It is, however, amazing that two thousand years later, that we still face so much division based on origin. It is easy for us to feel “woke”, but sadly it feels like we gain awareness daily of the biases that are woven into the fabric of our society. I believe that it is our work as the body of Christ to strive for the necessary changes.

I pray that we all thirst more for the compassion we gain by working to fully embrace and embody God’s unconditional love.

Written by Dan Robinson

Dan Robinson is the Media Specialist at St Paul’s, streaming the services online.