He Was the Rock

“and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ.” (1Cor 10:4)

The word “rock” is often used metaphorically in the Bible to speak of God and Jesus Christ. In the Old Testament, it often uses rock to prefigure the Messiah – Jesus Christ. In the New Testament, Christ is the spiritual Rock from whom the water of life flows.

One of the attractions in Manistique, Michigan is the beautiful blue-green water of the Kitch-iti-kipi. In the Ojibwe language, it translates to “big cold spring.” It’s the largest natural freshwater spring in Michigan. The spring measures 200 feet in diameter, 42 feet deep, and it produces 16,000 gallons of clear water per 60 seconds. The water is crystal clear and one can see all the way to the bottom. The spring feeds the glass lake so the water bubbles and churns as you gaze down upon it. The water of this living fresh water spring is indeed refreshing.

Jesus spoke of living water that He could give to those who were thirsty. Jesus told the Samaritan woman at the well that if she drank of that well water, she would thirst again, but if she drank of the water that He could give to her, she would never thirst again. It would be like a well of living water springing up into everlasting life. (John 4:14) On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If any man thirst, 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.” But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive (John 7:37-39). Jesus used living water to symbolize the promised Holy Spirit to show the life and abundance of the Holy Spirit. (John 4:10) God’s gift refers to living water. Jesus used the metaphor of vibrant water gushing from a fountain to explain new life after rebirth of the Holy Spirit, which will last forever and quench our thirst forever.

“And the Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let him who hears say, ‘come!’ And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.” (Rev 22:17)

In the book of Revelation, the last invitation that God made was to those concerned with drinking the water of life. The water of life is a symbol of eternal life. Jesus used this same image with the Samaritan woman. It pictures the fullness of life with God and the eternal blessings that come when we believe in Him and satisfy our spiritual thirst. Jesus Christ invites anyone to come and drink the water of life. Many people are desperately thirsting for living water. Let us invite people to come to the spiritual Rock, Jesus Christ, and drink the living water.

Leave a Reply