Come Thirsty by Max Lucado is a book whose message is built around a short passage of scripture based on what Jesus said to the crowds assembled in the temple:If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Rivers of living water will brim and spill out of the depths of anyone who believes in me this way. (John 7:37,38)
These words are not about physical thirst, but about the deep spiritual thirst in our souls. Just as our bodies quickly wither and die away without water, lots of it in daily doses, so too our souls will quickly wither and die away without regular, and purposeful doses of relationship with Jesus. As water hydrates our bodies, likewise our seeking out Jesus and following him can nourish and revitalize our parched souls.
The Bible makes it clear that Jesus will not force us to drink his life-giving waters. There will be no pressure, no compulsion, no threats. He has made his free offer of salvation and unending grace to everyone. Yet it is up to each of us individually to step to the fountain and drink. There is a wonderful picture of this that emerges in Revelation 3:20:
Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.
Religion and church-going alone will not quench your thirst. Neither will honest living or volunteering your time. A relationship with the most high God and his son Jesus is the only path. He is knocking. Open the door to your heart and soul. Let him in. Drink.
In this work Come Thirsty, you will likely not be deeply challenged or pushed. There is nothing new or earth-shattering here. This book is a good example of simple, humble spiritual comfort food for the soul. This book, while not as carefully crafted or as editorially crisp as other books that I have read by Lucado, still represents a read that has something to teach you and will remind you of the open invitation and promise of grace made by Jesus Christ.
