GOT JESUS?

Many of us remember the milk advertisements, in which celebrities posed with "milk mustaches" and the caption read, "got milk?" This clever marketing strategy has become ingrained in the popular culture, so much so that others have mimicked the slogan with their own products. Even Christians (including this author) have used this strategy, producing "got Jesus?" shirts and other products. As satisfying as an ice-cold glass of milk can be, only Jesus can satisfy the soul.

Jesus, Himself, made this point in John 7:37-39. He and His disciples were attending the Feast of Tabernacles in Jerusalem. This festival had been held for centuries. In Jesus' day, the festival included a day in which water was brought up from the pool of Siloam in a gold container and deposited in the courtyard of the Temple. It was during this festival that Jesus stood up and made this famous statement:

"'If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the

Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water."

The meaning was not lost on Jesus' disciples, especially John, who recorded this event. Jesus was not speaking of physical thirst, but of spiritual thirst. The principles Jesus taught also apply to us today. In this passage, we find three life-changing results of faith in Jesus Christ.

First, faith in Christ cures our thirst. Once again, Jesus is not talking about physical thirst. He is talking about spiritual thirst - a longing within the soul. Jesus is saying that He and only He can satisfy the longing and emptiness that is naturally found within the human soul. When someone places his/her faith in Him, He will provide what is needed to satisfy the longings of the soul.

Have you ever been exercising or working outdoors on a really hot day? After a while, you begin to thirst. The lips get dry. The body grows tired. There is a strong urge inside to seek water.

Our spirits have a similar longing apart from Christ. We were made in God's image. Apart from Him, something is missing in our souls, which produces a longing. Some people try to satisfy that longing with a variety of things (sex, drugs, money, etc.), but nothing completely satisfies.

Jesus satisfies the longing of the soul. Are you thirsty? Got Jesus?

Second, faith in Christ conveys His Spirit. John explains in verse 39 that when Jesus spoke of rivers of living waters flowing out of the heart of the believer, He was referring to the Holy Spirit. When a person believes in Jesus, He places His Holy Spirit in his/her heart. God, in the Person of the Holy Spirit, lives inside of them and is an inexhaustible source of nourishment and comfort.

Rivers are a seemingly inexhaustible source of water. Rivers that are fed by strong springs continue to flow with millions of gallons of water for centuries or longer. Some famous rivers have been flowing since the beginning of civilization, like the Nile River in Egypt. As magnificent as those rivers are, The work of the Holy Spirit is far greater.

The Holy Spirit is eternal. He produces eternal life within us - a life that will never end. Got Jesus?

Third, faith in Christ changes our hearts. Jesus said that the person who believes in Him would be changed, that, "out of his heart will flow rivers of living water." Not only will the believer find a cure for his/her own thirst, but will become a spiritual fountain, providing that same life-giving resource to others. This happens when believers share their faith. Only Jesus can save. But believers can point others to Jesus, who can do the same for them.

If you swim in a spring, you can cool off on a hot summer day. If you invite someone else to the spring, they can cool off too.

As believers in Christ, it is our job to invite others to the spring, the source of that spiritual water flowing in us. We issue the invitation and provide the directions to help them find their way. And we ask, "Got Jesus?"

So, I ask you, "Got Jesus?" Are you trusting in Him? Are you sharing Him with others?