Baptism

John 7: 37-38

On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.”

In this passage, Jesus was speaking of “living water,” that is, the Holy Spirit which he had promised was soon to come. Others might assert that he was speaking of the good spirit within us all that finds fulfilment upon the acceptance of Christ into our lives. Either way, Jesus was using the metaphor of water, knowing that it is essential for our very existence.

Water is very scarce in South Australia. Adelaide receives only about 550 mm (21 inches) of rainfall for the year. It’s about half of what Sydney receives annually. So when we organized a baptism on a summer’s day some years ago, and filled the font with about 1100 litres of water, I was very concerned that we were not being wise stewards of our resources if we simply pulled the plug and let the water drain away.

So I borrowed an electric water pump. After the baptism service was over, we channelled the water via the pump through a long hose and into the lawn and garden area. A week later the church surrounds were green and delightful. Never had our surrounds looked so lush! Rivers of living water inspired the baptismal candidate and the congregation that day. Those same rivers inspired those who came to feast their eyes on the church gardens for weeks to come too.

Rick Sarre

Leader: Leadership Development

Community of Christ Australia