Drink in deep (Ephesians 5)

Life can be messy. Jesus knew this. His family did not have a great reputation. His mother conceived and gave birth to him out of wedlock. They didn’t believe she was a virgin and this child was from God. Jesus’ whole life would be marked by this lie “you’re a bastard.”

One day, prior to any known miracles, Jesus hears his cousin John the Baptist make a bold claim about him, “behold the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.”

Later, when Jesus was baptized, God affirmed his sonship, “this is my beloved son, in whom I love, and with whom I am well pleased.” 

Jesus, despite his reputation and unfortunate circumstances chose love. 

One instance was when he was  taking to the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4). She was an outcast. She had a few husbands and the man she was with now was not her husband. She had a bad reputation (Taylor Swift reference!!!)

Yet Jesus, a Jewish man asked her for a drink. It was something normal but not at the same time. Through this conversation  she found hope and healing through the one that knew everything about her.

To draw her in Jesus said something breathtaking. “Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. But those who drink the water I give them will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.”- John 4:13-14

Life can be messy. Life can be dry. But God offers us a drink of himself. Like a mother breastfeeding her child, God welcomes us in to drink from his love. 

Saint Paul takes this idea a step further. In chapter five of his letter to the Ephesians he talks about changing our behavior us followers of Jesus. 

Then he said,“Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit.”- Ephesians 5:18

What I love about the resuurection is the promise that despite my circumstance, I know God is with me. I know that even when life feels like Good Friday or holy Saturday that Easter is right around the corner.

His spirit is with me. Whenever I chose to look to God I can drink in his spirit and be refreshed. Instead of being drunk on wine I can be drunk in the spirit. When someone gets drunk on alcohol they can’t control how they act.... but those that get drunk on the Holy Spirit are filled with love that will change the world.

May you take a moment today to drink in deep of the spirit today. May you remember that the father in heaven loves you. May you remember that Jesus died for you. And you are treasured!