It was quite the claim. Intriguing, in fact. To never be thirsty again would be wonderful. But to never have to come to the well to draw water again? That would be amazing!

No more the daily burden of carrying heavy buckets which bowed the back. No more long treks to replenish what had only yesterday been full. And, as some suggest, no more trying to avoid the crowds and their judging glances and gossip because she seemed to go through men like Kleenex during a cold. If she was picking up what Jesus was laying down (and she wasn’t quite yet), He had water to give that would satisfy every thirst because it would source within her a perpetual spring of water.

Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life. The woman said to Him, “Sir, give me this water, so that I will not be thirsty or have to come here to draw water.”

(John 4:13-14 ESV)

In him a spring of water welling up. As the CSB puts it, a well of water springing up within him. The picture of self-perpetuating water sourced from within is what captures my attention this morning.

Had Jesus just said there was living water to be accessed leading to eternal life and shown us where to get it every day, I’m thinking most of us would be up for putting in the effort to go retrieve some. Instead, He says, I’m going to source the water internally. Drink of it, and the reason you’ll never thirst again is because it will be a forever fountain within you.

No more trying to bear the heavy burden of vessels which can never contain enough. No more the walks of futility to only fill up what will soon be empty. No more the fear of shame for failures we are unable to keep from racking up. No more burden, futility, and shame because no more thirst.

No more thirst because of a perpetual spring of living water welling up. The parched soul with the potential to be a thing of the past, because of a self-regenerating well of water springing up. That’s the promise. How’s it possible? Because the Source of living water takes up residence within those who so desperately need to drink of it.

“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 . . .

(John 7:38-39a ESV)

No thirst because I’m supernaturally piped into an eternal flow of water. The only effort required on my part? To drink of it. To commune by the Spirit given to me with the Source who has said He will always have living water for me.

A perpetual spring. Rivers of living water ever flowing.

In me. Through Him.

What grace. To Him be all the glory.