The Saturday in the 4th Week of Lent
March 25, 2023
John 7:37-52
C.S. Lewis wrote: “the real problem of the Christian life comes where people don’t usually look for it. It comes the moment you wake up each morning. All your wishes and hopes for the day rush at you like wild animals. And the first job of each morning consists of shoving them all back; in listening to that other voice, taking that other point of view, letting that other, larger, stronger, quieter life come flowing in”. His words describe how it is when we are trying to hear God’s voice first above everything else.
In the scripture, Jesus stands up and draws more attention to his proclamation — “If anyone thirst let him come to me and drink”. This invitation caused anger, sarcasm, contempt and division (as it still does today.) The choice is ours — whose voice do we listen to and believe? Nicodemus speaks out because he had already done the work of deciding — by going to Jesus FIRST! He saw and heard for himself! Nicodemus was prepared because he had already given Jesus a hearing and decided what Jesus said and did, confirmed the truth of who he was.
These past tumultuous years we have had much examining and deciding to do! We have followed Deonna back and forth across the Red Sea with the Holy Spirit! We persevered and accomplished so much more than we could have imagined in rebuilding and restoring. Our youth acolytes were encouraged and blessed with Deonna’s patient, kind, efficient instruction as they resumed serving. Especially for the first-timers this was a pivotal positive beginning where they are learning to hear Gods voice every Sunday as they serve and offer their hearts time and talents to the Lord!
The rivers of “living water” continue to flow at St Johns from the heart of our already-much- beloved new Rector — Duncan! His love for all God’s children is clear in the way our children are welcomed back from chapel. Watch! See and hear it in their smiles and laughter. They know they are especially loved in Gods house and that it is “their house too”!
Jesus invites us all to come to him, so the living water will flow out of our hearts! Through worship, prayer, praises the study of God’s word, glorious music and serving, we do hear Gods voice — first! We keep the wild animals back and in line! We are thankful and grateful! TBTG!
Cissy Johnson