As Christ’s church, we are his bride (Eph. 5:25-27), and we’re betrothed to him alone (2 Cor. 11:2). So when we read the text of this series (Rev. 22:17), we can find ourselves saying, “Come” to all the thirsty. But we’re not the only ones saying, “Come.” We harmonize that invitation with the Holy Spirit, “The Spirit and the Bride say, ‘Come’” (Rev. 22:17). And still, “the one who is thirsty” must choose to come.

Flash Flood

The other day, my friend texted me that we couldn’t keep our appointment because he got stuck in a flash flood in the middle of the Grand Canyon. They had to helicopter him out of the canyon as it filled with an unusually high, raging river. A desert swallowed in the gushing waters — a familiar picture for many Bible students!

The prophets describe the change the Lord brings as a wilderness transformed by flowing water. Ezekiel describes water gushing from a new temple that brings life to the desert (Ezek. 47:1-12) — and we are the temple (1 Cor. 3:16)! So the life-giving water flows from forth from God’s people to a thirsty world. Joel speaks of rains that restore a desolate land, ultimately pointing to the coming of the Spirit and the spread of the church (Joel 2:22-32; cf. Acts 2:16-41; Tit. 3:5-7). And Isaiah loves to use this image!

“The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad; the desert shall rejoice and blossom like the crocus; it shall blossom abundantly and rejoice with joy and singing” (Isaiah 35:1-2).

Remember where Jesus said living waters would flow? “‘ 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 7:38-39). Did you follow that? All who believe have the Spirit, and from those believers flow living waters!

God will do his life-giving work; the thirsty must receive it in faith. But we must also do our part, or we won’t give them that opportunity. We must confess Christ before others (Matt. 10:32-33), prepared to give an answer for our hope (1 Pet. 3:15), proclaiming his excellence (1 Pet. 2:9-10), and continually inviting the thirsty to “Come!” (Rev. 22:17).

May those living waters create a flash flood all around us! May the desert be transformed! We long for all people to go from the “desert of sorrow and sin” to the “life-giving stream,” as the old hymn says. May all those who thirst leave the desert of separation, sadness, shame, brokenness, hopelessness, helplessness, fear, death, and slavery. May they find the river of abundant life, hope, peace, love, reconciliation with God, and confident power in him. We are finally forgiven, fruitful, and fulfilled in this living water!