Water is essential to life. Physically, no living thing can survive without water. Although some creatures are better equipped to survive desert conditions than others, all will eventual perish if they are without water for long enough. For this reason the earliest settlements in human history were near rivers or other significant sources of water.

Value of Water in the Old Testament

Before settling into the Promised Land, the ancient Hebrews wandered in areas where water was scarce. Therefore, the successful digging of a deep well was reason to rejoice (Num. 21:16-20), and for this same reason the dispute over ownership of a well was often hotly contested (Gen. 26:15-22).

From the beginning of the Old Testament, water was recognized as the beneficent gift of God. This was evident by the creation of water as part of this world (Gen. 1:6-13). This was also evident by the gracious blessings that rivers of water brought that flowed from the Garden of Eden (Gen. 2:10-14). Drinking water was recognized as a necessity for people that resulted in life and vigor (Ex. 23:25; 1 Sam. 30:11-12; 1 Kgs. 18:4, 13), as well as a necessity for the survival and flourishing of livestock (Gen. 24:11-20; 30:38).

That God was to be acknowledged as the provider and sustainer of water is evident by covenant stipulations. If Israel were to "hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments" (Deut. 28:1), then "The LORD shall open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season" (Deut. 12:28). At times, the Lord would chastise his people by withholding water, encouraging their repentance (Amos 4:7; Joel 1:10-12; Hag. 1:10-11).

Spiritual Water of the New Testament

Spiritually, "water" is also essential to life. Because of the reality of physical water's necessity to life, the term "water" used spiritually is a forceful image. Jesus' discussion with the Samaritan woman illustrates this point. Because Jesus was physically weary, he went to Jacob's well. While there, a spiritually weary Samaritan woman came to the well to fill her container (Jn. 4:4-8). Jesus requested of her, "Give me to drink" (Jn. 4:7). She was surprised that Jesus spoke to her because she was a Samaritan, he was a Jew, and "the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans" (Jn. 4:9). However, the Lord said to her, "If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water" (Jn. 4:10). The Samaritan woman, thinking only of physical water, observed that Jesus had no way of drawing water from the well and then called his attention to the greatness of Jacob who "gave us the well" (Jn. 4:11-12). Jesus responded, "Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life" (Jn. 4:13-14).

Still only thinking of the physical, "The woman saith unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw" (Jn. 4:15)! Of course, the water Jesus had in mind was spiritual. Later in John's Gospel, "Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth in me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water" (Jn. 7:37-38). The point is that just as physical water is necessary to physical life, so spiritual water is necessary to spiritual life. Jesus is the ultimate spiritual water.

The Need for Continued Nourishment of Spiritual Water

One goal for which each child of God must strive is to "be conformed to the image of his Son" (Rom. 8:29). This requires each Christian to "grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ" (2 Pet. 3:18). Each person who becomes a Christian does so by being born again (Jn. 3:1-5; 1 Pet. 1:23). For a time, all new converts are "babes in Christ." However, tragedy results when converts stay "babes in Christ" well after the time they should have matured (1 Cor. 3:1-3; Heb. 5:12-13). Even more tragic is when new converts fall away, and go back to the world (2 Pet. 2:20-22). Why do some new converts stay "babes in Christ" all their lives? Why do some new converts fall away? While each individual is responsible for his or her own sins (Ezk. 18:20; 33:7-9), one major reason why new converts stay babes and/or fall away completely is because they do not continue to receive the spiritual "water" (i.e., nourishment) after conversion that is necessary for sustained spiritual life.

Undeniably, church growth results only when Christians, especially new converts, are constantly watered with the word of God. Planting the gospel seed and establishing new congregations is important, but what good will it do if that which is planted is not watered and nourished. Physically, a gardener would never think of planting a tender plant in the ground and then abandoning it to fend for itself. Rather, the gardener will water and take special care of the tender plant until it is firmly rooted.

May all of us continue to "hunger and thirst after righteousness," for Jesus promised that we "shall be filled" (Mt. 5:6). How thirsty are we for the Water of Life?