23 November 2014
The Apostle Peter, in his letter (2 Pet 2:12-17) to the early Christian Churches, described false teachers using many frightening images: unreasoning animals”, “creatures of instinct”, “blots and blemishes”, “eyes full of adultery”. “experts in greed”, “an accursed brood”, “springs without water” and “mists driven by a storm”. However, the scariest image by far, where life is concern, is that of “springs without water”.
One of the most nerve-wrecking moments in The Human Planet, a BBC documentary, is when Shede, a 10-year-old girl from the desert-dwelling Tubu people, a few women and their camels travel in search of a miniature well only 1-metre wide: the only source of water for 80 km around. They navigate their way through the vast scorching Sahara Desert without a map or compass, with just enough water to reach the miniature well in three days. It means the difference between life and death.
In Singapore, we are blessed with drinking water that gushes out of our taps. Thus we may not realise the significance of a water well. It contains the promise of life-giving water. Imagine Shede and her people reaching the well in the middle of the Sahara Desert and finding it empty! What a terrible tragedy! Therefore, when the Apostle Peter describes false teachers as “springs without water”, it is a severe warning to those who follow them. Following them will not lead to life, but like those who look for water in an empty well, the only possible end will be thirst and death.
We are born spiritually thirsty and will not be satisfied until we drink Jesus – the Living Water. He told the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well in John 4: “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life”. The great contrast between the false teachers and Jesus is this: both promise to give life, but only Jesus can deliver on His promise. He gives us eternal life! Therefore we must pay attention to His words and trust in Him. The Prophet Isaiah said: “Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters” (Is 55:1). Every time we feel thirsty, let us turn to Jesus – the Living Water. He gives us living water – abundant life – eternal life!
