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Water is foundational

Jesus’ ministry begins with His baptism — John 1 

Life began with water. Before the first day of creation, water covered the earth — and God’s Spirit covered the water (Genesis 1:2). 

Life depends on water — which is another way of saying that life depends on God, since it is God who gives water. When the Israelites wandered a barren wilderness, God led them from one source of water to the next (Exodus 15:22-27). When there was none to be found, He brought water from the sunbaked rock (Exodus 17:1-7). 

It’s no surprise that water features prominently in the Bible, since all the Bible’s stories took place in part of the world where access to water could not be taken for granted — as in many parts of the world today. 

Even a relatively short period without water exposes the extent of our fragility. Without water, flesh and blood turn to dust. 

There is a deep connection between the waters of baptism and Jesus’ ministry to us — just as there is a deep connection between us and the living water He supplies. He submitted himself to baptism, in part to identify with the frail, sinful people He came to save. His ministry also began in the waters of baptism — a picture of His coming death and resurrection for our salvation. 

God is the Giver and Sustainer of all things. He is our true Source of refreshment and salvation. He brings streams in the desert. And He sent Jesus to unleash streams of living water within us, just as He unleashed water from the rocks in the desert. He wants people to experience fullness of life, in this world and the next.

We are dust, and to dust we will return. But we can be renewed when we drink — and share — God’s living water.

In this seven-part series from World Vision, you’ll read stories of people from Zambia, Honduras, and Kenya. Nearly one in three of the world’s people do not have access to safe water sources. And only one in four have the use of basic sanitation facilities.* As you’ll see in these stories, along with reflections from John’s Gospel, clean water can mean the difference between life and death.