You're listening to a bonus episode of the Daily Article podcast, presented by the Denison

Forum.

This is Pastor Mark Termin.

I was so encouraged by Dr. Denison's book about the Holy Spirit called Empowered that I

asked to record its 47 chapters as daily readings from my church.

When Dr. Denison heard about this,

he suggested the great idea to release these as bonus episodes

of the Daily Article Podcast every day from Ash Wednesday to Easter.

I hope that you will likewise be encouraged by the short, insightful, and empowering podcast.

Empowered, Day 21. The Spirit and Water.

Of the three great Jewish holidays, Passover, Pentecost, and the Feast of Tabernacles,

the third was the most joyous.

During the first century, Jews from all over the world gathered in Jerusalem

for the week-long celebration. Each morning of the week, priests took water from the pool of

Siloam in a golden pitcher to the temple. Their procession was led by the high priest himself. When

they entered the temple area through the water gate, the shofar was blown and psalms of praise were recited in gratitude for the harvest just completed. Psalm 118.

The priest offered prayers for rain as well, since their cisterns had started to become dry by this time of year.

On the seventh day the celebration was

repeated seven times. Crowds thronged the area for the great observance. The people

were following the same tradition in John 7 when Jesus did something astounding. On the

last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out,

If anyone thirst, let him come to me and drink.

...