The desert was hot and dry. When the children of Israel needed water in the Sinai wilderness, God told Moses, “Strike the rock, and water will come out of it for the people to drink” (Ex. 17:6). Water flowed from the rock and the people could drink their fill. In this way, the Lord provided for those who trusted in Him.

Today we are traveling through a moral and spiritual desert on our way to the Promised Land. So also the Lord has provided for us. After Jesus died on the cross, “one of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water” (John 19:34). Like the rock of Massah, Jesus was struck for His people.

Like the rock, so also the side of Jesus brought forth water. Jesus, who hung on the cross in thirst (John 19:28), has become the source of living water for all who believe in Him. As Jesus Himself once said, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.”(John 7:37- 38).

It was Jesus who provided water for the people of Israel from the rock at Massah (1 Cor. 10:3-4). Now this same rock—this same Jesus—provides living water for us. The water of our Baptism brings us life because, like the water from His pierced side, it is united with His promise of blood shed for us. The very life of Christ drained for us at Calvary comes to us in the waters of our Baptism. Christ is the rock from which flows the baptismal water of life. This water becomes a spring “welling up to eternal life” (John 4:14; Rev. 22:1).

There are many who thirst for the water of life. Let us share with them the Good News of salvation, which flows from Jesus. Only in the Lord will their thirst be quenched. As He told Isaiah long ago, “The poor and needy search for water, but there is none; their tongues are parched with thirst. But I the LORD will answer them; I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them. I will make rivers flow on barren heights, and springs within the valleys. I will turn the desert into pools of water, and the parched ground into springs” (Is. 41:17-18). This He has done in Jesus Christ. He is the rock that gives living water.

As Moses hid in the clef of a rock to protect himself from the glory of God (Ex. 33:18-23), may we always seek refuge in the wounds of Christ. He is our rock, the cornerstone of our salvation (1 Pet. 2:6-8). He is the foundation on which we live (Eph. 2:19-

22). All other ground is sinking sand (Matt. 7:24-27). “Rock of Ages, cleft for me, Let me hide myself in thee; Let the waters and the blood, From thy riven side which flowed, Be of sin the double cure; Cleanse me from its guilt and stain” (Rock of Ages, stanza 1)

Prayer: Oh, Christ, You are the rock of my salvation. Thank You for poring on me Your water of life. Keep me mindful of my Baptism and help me share the Good News with all who thirst. Amen.

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Updated: Friday February 08, 2008