An Empty Juice Box
Dexu Xia
Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them. John 7:38
Today's Scripture. John 7:37-39
Today's Insights
Jesus’ words in John 7:37-39 were delivered during Sukkot (the Feast of Tabernacles). This feast commemorated the seasons of wandering in the wilderness following Israel’s exodus from Egypt and was celebrated in part by living in temporary shelters during the feast, as their ancient ancestors would’ve done. The Bible Knowledge Commentary notes that practices for this festival included “a solemn procession each day from the temple to the Gihon Spring. A priest filled a gold pitcher with water while the choir sang Isaiah 12:3. Then they returned to the altar and poured out the water. This ritual reminded them of the water from the rock during the wilderness wanderings (Numbers 20:8-11; Psalm 78:15-16).” The water ritual would’ve been given new clarity by Christ’s promise of “rivers of living water” (John 7:38), which refresh us when we’re weary and exhausted as those waters refreshed the children of Israel so long ago.
Today's Devotional
When I led a ministry for moms of preschoolers, we hunted for an image to describe the unending demands that mothers experience. Changing diapers. Wiping noses. Picking up toys. It turns out the image was right in front of us: a disposable juice box collapsed in on itself. Moms can feel like empty juice boxes. That ministry served moms by leading them to the Source of living water that can fill them to the full—Jesus.
In John 7, Jesus went to the Festival of Tabernacles (v. 10), commemorating God’s provision during the Israelites’ wilderness wanderings. This festival included a water-pouring rite symbolizing the fruitfulness that only moisture produces and foreshadowed the spiritual rain the Messiah would bring. Jesus fulfills what the ancient festival anticipated. “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” (vv. 37-38).
At times, we can feel like empty containers. Weary from caregiving. Worn from working. Exhausted by everyday responsibilities. The unending demands draw us dry! But when we live in relationship with God, He provides springs of living water within our hearts to refresh and refuel us no matter how many cares and concerns try to drain us.
Reflect & Pray What tasks deplete and drain you? How can you take a break from your daily tasks to experience God’s filling Spirit within you? Dear God, thank You for dwelling in me by Your Spirit. May I continually draw from the living springs You provide. By Elisa Morgan
一个空果汁盒
“信我的人，就如经上所说，从他腹中要流出活水的江河来。”（约翰福音 7:38 ）
今日经文：约翰福音 7章37-39 节
今日洞见：约翰福音7章37-39节的经文是耶稣在住棚节期间说的。这个节日是为了纪念以色列人出埃及后在旷野漂流的日子，节日期间人们会住在临时搭建的棚子里，就像他们的祖先那样。《圣经知识注释》指出，这个节日的习俗包括“每天从圣殿到基训泉进行庄严的游行。一位祭司用金壶盛满水，合唱团则唱着以赛亚书 12:3。然后他们回到祭坛，把水倒出来。这个仪式提醒他们想起在旷野漂流时从磐石中流出的水（民数记 20:8-11；诗篇 78:15-16）。”基督应许的“活水的江河”（约翰福音 7:38）赋予了这个水仪式新的意义，就像磐石出水滋润了在旷野漂流的以色列人那样，这些活水也能在我们疲惫不堪时滋润我们。
今日灵修 当我带领一个服事学龄前儿童母亲的团契时，我们一直在寻找，用何形象来描述母亲们所承受的永无止境的需求。换尿布。擦鼻涕。捡玩具。结果，这个形象就在我们眼前：一个瘪掉的空果汁盒。妈妈们有时会感觉自己就像空果汁盒一样。而这个事工，通过带领妈妈们来到活水的源头耶稣那里来服事她们，使她们得到完全的满足。
在约翰福音第 7 章，耶稣去了住棚节（10节），这个节日是为了纪念上帝在以色列人旷野漂流期间的供应。这个节日包括一个倒水仪式，象征着只有水分才能带来的丰盛，也预示着弥赛亚将带来的属灵之雨。耶稣成就了古老节日所预示的一切。“人若渴了，可以到我这里来喝。信我的人，就如经上所说，从他腹中要流出活水的江河来”（37-38节）。
有时，我们会感觉自己就像空空的容器。因照顾他人而疲惫不堪，因工作而筋疲力尽，因日常琐事而身心俱疲。永无止境的重担让我们精疲力竭！但当我们与上帝建立关系时，无论有多少忧虑和烦恼试图耗尽我们的精力，祂都会在我们心中赐予活水的泉源，使我们得到滋润和力量。
反思与祷告：哪些事情让你感到疲惫和耗尽？你如何才能从日常事务中抽身，体验上帝使圣灵充满你心？亲爱的上帝，感谢您藉着圣灵住在我的里面。愿我能不断从您所赐的活水泉源中汲取力量。作者：艾莉莎 摩根