WELL OF SALVATION

Isaiah 12:3 “With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.”

How do you dig a well? It’s not as simple as making a hole and waiting for the water to gush out. The biggest hand dug well can be found in Greensburg Kansas. Dug in 1880’s it took a massive effort and was over 109 feet deep and 32 feet in diameter. All of the walls were covered in stone paving and, to prevent cave-ins, every 8 feet a brace was constructed out of 2 foot by 12 foot planks mortised and dovetailed together so than no nails were used in the construction which might then rust and pollute the well water. This well served the whole city’s needs until 1939 and is a big tourist attraction with over 3 million people having visited it to date. Not bad for a hole in the ground.

To dig a well, you need an understanding of the geology of the rock formations; you need to know how the water might be moving to or where underground reservoirs are building up to tap into them. You then need to dig the hole in the ground and make sure it is has a solid wall of brick, stone or wood so that the well does not collapse in on its self. You need to dig it deep enough to reach the water. You need then a way of getting the water up to the surface. You then need to maintain the well to make sure that the water is not polluted, does not stagnate and stays fresh. If you do this really well you might have an Artesian well were the water flowing up from the rock is under such pressure it overflows by it self and does not need pumps or buckets to bring it up. Wells take hard work to locate, establish and maintain but they bring life. They transform communities and are vital sources of clean water.

The work of Jesus is a well that can transform and bring life to individuals. It’s a precious resource that needs love and care to bring forth more love and life. The reality is salvation comes from only one source; there is only one rock from which these waters flow. That’s Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. Jesus is the very well spring of salvation. The very source of the redemption we speak of is the source of the living water. The touch of Jesus brings those in darkness to light. To those without hope, he brings hope that ignites the spark of faith into a mighty eternal flame. The well of salvation is the good news that Jesus came from Heaven, fully in human form, remained pure and unpolluted and then took the punishment we deserve to bring those who love him and accept him into salvation or rightness with God. It’s all about God’s love, God’s creation and God’s plan to bring about salvation for those he loves and those that love him.

Our scripture clearly tells us that it is with joy that these wells spring forth. Joy is that which runs deep within our heart and soul. It is independent of many of the things that occur in our day to day lives. Joy cannot be taken away by difficulties. It is that which is from God and is our strength in troubled times. Allow yourself today to live and breathe in the joy of the Lord. Let the well run deep and produce life everyday.