LIVING WATERS
For the proclamation of the Gospel and the edification of the Body of Christ
Dwelling in Christ
The writings of the apostle John have a strong emphasis on union. Union with Christ and the unity of the church dominate the thought of the aged disciple as he wrote his gospel, his epistles and the Apocalypse. John desires, in a very special way, that the eyes of our heart be opened by the Spirit, so that we may see that what is Christ's is ours, because of our union with him.
His gospel can be divided into three sections, with three different emphases: 1:1 to 8:11 - life; 8:12 to 12:50 - light; 13:1 to the end - love. At the beginning and end of each section, we see that what was in him will also be in those who follow him. Thus, in verse 1:4, "In him was life", because he is the Source of life, and in 7:38, "He who believes in me ... from within him shall flow rivers of living water", because it is we who are in union with him - that is what the verb "to believe" means in Greek: to cleave, to unite.
In verse 8:12, beginning the second section, which now emphasizes light, we read: "I am the light of the world", and in 12:36, ending that section: "...believe in the light, that you may be children of light". Thus, in union with him, we can make his light shine in this dark world, where the night is already advanced and the day is getting lighter.
Finally, in verse 13:1, at the beginning of the third section, emphasizing love, we read: "...as he loved his own who were in the world, so he loved them to the end". In that beautiful section, the Lord compares Himself to a vine of which we are the branches, and exhorts us to remain in His love, for without it we can do nothing. It ends by revealing to us the confession of Peter who, after a long process of discipleship to Christ, in which he was emptied into nothingness, declares in verse 21:17: "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you". Now the Lord's love for Peter, love "to the end", is reflected in Peter, in his love for his priceless Lord.
Beloved, our Christ is the tabernacle of God where we were called to dwell. He is the "meeting point" between the Father and that family chosen before the foundation of the world. It is only by dwelling in him, having his words dwell in us and abiding in his love that we can reflect, however dimly, something of the glory of him who is himself true life, true light and true love. That call to dwell in Christ is our highest human privilege, our heavenly vocation. May his love constrain us to it.