One hour makes a big difference. Just as one hour can bring suffering, another hour might bring rejoicing. But is it possible that one single hour might signify both suffering and rejoicing at the same time? 

Mercy triumphs over judgment. And while we must not pretend brokenness is wholeness, we must also learn to live together in a community where mercy triumphs over judgment. (James 4:12)

There are those who would be content to simply allow God’s light to shine on them, to warm them, to comfort them. And that is good. God offers the power and protection of His Spirit to anyone who will come near to Him and follow. We call this salvation, and it is marked by a baptism of water.

But even better are those who will allow themselves to be spirit-immolated, who will not only bask in God’s love, but become ablaze in His love by surrendering completely to the purpose His mission. We do not teach that Jesus is Savior only, but that He desires to be both Savior and Lord. He not only wants to be our pillar of fire, but he wants us to become His pillars of fire in a world seized by the darkness of sin. We call this type of surrender sanctification, and it is the baptism of fire, the baptism in the Holy Spirit.

In today’s passage I see three kinds of disappointment and false hope which Jesus confronts head-on.

First is the disappointment of superstition, second is the disappointment of ritualized religion, and third is the disappointment of sin.  In keeping with the water metaphor, I’d beg your forgiveness as we consider each of these using the motif of treacherous water, contrasting them with the living water of Jesus.