"I Am…. The God Who Quenches Thirst”

In Jesus Holy Name Easter VI 2020

Text: John 7:37-39 Redeemer

“I Am…. The God Who Quenches Thirst”

Each Sunday morning since Easter my messages have been shaped by the words of Jesus recorded in the Gospel of John. The question I asked myself: “What is John trying to tell his readers in the 1st century about Jesus? What does John want me to learn about Jesus?

John does not tell me about the journey of Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem. No shepherds. No angel choirs. John are only records 7 miracles in his gospel? Why does John have a serious discussion between Jesus and Nicodemus, but missing in the other gospels? Why does only John record the Wedding at Cana?

Answer these questions and you and I will know what John wants us to know about Jesus. #1 John wants anyone who reads his gospel to know that Jesus is “The Intelligent Designer of the Universe.” #2 If He is… then Jesus is offering His perfect life as the replacement for the Old Testament guidelines on how people received forgiveness with a Holy God. He is the true “sin offering”. # 3 Jesus will replace the daily sacrifice at the temple for the forgiveness of sins.by His death on the crosss.

When Jesus called Himself the “Good Shepherd” He was asking the Jewish theologians like Nichodemus to remember the promise of the God Himself in Ezekiel 34… I will come and shepherd my people.

For a moment let’s follow this theme: “I Am The God who Quenches Thirst.

The gospel of John tells us that Nicodemus, a very powerful and influential Jewish theologian, a member of the ruling Jewish council, came to Jesus at night with a question. Nicodemus thought that he would automatically be granted entrance into heaven because his Jewish blood made him a descendant of Abraham. And in his mind that was enough. If the same conversation happened today it would be like saying: I’m going to heaven when I die because my grandmother, my grandfather were great Lutherans.

Jesus might as well have said to Nicodemus: “If you want to be secure in your

eternal destiny you will not find security in your family genetics. Jesus said. I am the resurrection and the life. Believe in me. This is John’s message for you and me. If you want to be secure in your eternal address… Jesus said: I am the resurrection and the life. He gives it freely to all who place their trust in Jesus.

Here’s the problem… Culture in the 1st century and the culture in which you and I live tell us to find security in our own ability. Our own fame, power, or money will provide the significance and happiness we long for. Jesus said if you want to be happy. If you want to find significance in your life… wash feet, love others the way you love yourself. Jesus is saying: “You will not find happiness in the things this world offers. Money, power, sex, nor fame based on the number of followers you have on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. These will never quench your thirst.

Inside all of us there is a thirst for life, for happiness. We all have a “God-shaped vacuum” in our heart that only God can fill. Some people think career advancement is the key to happiness, so they move from job to job. Husbands leave their wives for other women, and still they are not happy. Wives leave their husbands for other men, and they still aren’t happy. This is the story of the woman at the well in Samaria.

When Jesus visited the woman at the well in Samaria she was on her 6th husband. Jesus knew she was not happy. Something in her heart was missing that even the 6th husband could not fill. Jesus offers her water that would quench her thirsty life. The water of life, the water that refreshes the soul is a relationship with Jesus.

In our culture there are those who seek happiness by being adrenalin junkies. They are always on the move, looking for the next jolt of excitement, the next big adventure. How can you not forget all the extreme challenges that people try. New adventures never last very long. Life returns to the ordinary and we wonder, “What do we do now?” Some people thirst for power, others thirst for fame or wealth to fill the lonely void inside. Their search for happiness is elusive.

Jesus said: I am the bread of life. I am the gate to heaven. I am the way, the truth and the life. I am the good Shepherd. “If you are thirsty, come to me.” If you want eternal security when your life on this planet comes to a close…come to me. For "I am the resurrection and the life”. He who believes in me will be given eternal life. Don’t worry. Don’t let Satan hold your heart in the grip of the fear of death. Jesus rose from death and the grave. Satan has been defeated. Therefore….Get on with living your life. That is why Jesus said: Follow my example. Wash feet. Love one another as I have loved you.