And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. — Revelation 22:17 KJV
Reflection on Verse for Today
This verse as conclusion to the the entire Biblical canon encapsulates the essence of the Christian faith—an invitation to come to God freely without reservation and without precondition.
Firstly, the “Spirit and the bride” offer a dual calling. The Spirit represents God’s outreach, His active seeking of us, while “the bride,” symbolizing the Church, embodies the community of believers who echo this invitation. This dual summons highlights that God’s invitation is both vertical, between us and God, and horizontal, within the community of faith. We are all, collectively and individually, beckoned to experience the living water, which is Jesus Christ (John 4:14).
Secondly, the invitation is not restricted to a select few; it is universal—”let the one who hears say, ‘Come!'” Hearing, in this context, is more than mere auditory perception. It signifies a deeper level of understanding and openness to the message of the Gospel. The word “come” is a simple yet powerful imperative. It embodies hope, freedom, and an open door. It also implies a journey, one where you move closer to God. And as we hear this invitation, we too are encouraged to become inviters, extending this call to others.
Thirdly, the verse talks about thirst—a powerful metaphor for our spiritual longing. Just as physical thirst drives us to seek water, our spiritual thirst propels us toward God. Importantly, God doesn’t ask for payment or a precondition; the gift of the water of life is “free.” This mirrors the grace of God—unmerited, unconditional, and freely given through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross.
Finally, taking the “free gift of the water of life” is an action that signifies accepting God’s invitation wherein it is not a one-time event but a lifelong journey. Once we take this free gift we are also entrusted with the task of extending the same invitation to others, to say to the world, “Come!”
As Christians, this Bible verse serves as both an assurance and a challenge for us today—an assurance of God’s unfailing love and open invitation, and a challenge to be both recipients and extenders of this invitation to a world that is thirsty for the water of life.
So, when we ponder this profound Bible verse, may we hear the Spirit and the bride saying, “Come!” May we quench our spiritual thirst by accepting the free gift, and may we turn and extend the invitation to others, that they too may come and drink freely from the water of life. Amen.