The Spring Parable

Numbers 21:16-17
John 7:37-39
John 16:12-16
Revelation 7:17; 21:6; 22:1, 17

If you have the opportunity to paddle near freshwater springs, this is a great analogy for the Triune God. One of the most difficult to understand spiritual truths is that of the triune God as one and as three simultaneously. The lesson of the three-in-one is another which is demonstrated through our experiences in the outdoors. The spring, although an imperfect analogy, can help us to better understand the role of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Jesus Christ is represented by the springhead and the visible water flow. This is the part of the spring which immediately comes to mind, the identifying component of the spring without which we would not even know the spring existed. In the same way, Christ Jesus is the very center of our relationship with God, its identifying component, the One by whose name we are known.

The hidden source of the unceasing flow of spring water represents the Father God, who, although He remains unseen to us, is evidenced by His works and whose power and presence is eternal and unlimited.

The third person of the Trinity is represented by the channel and the stream banks which direct the water to the place it is needed. For Christians, the Holy Spirit, like the water flowing downstream from the spring, lifts us up and carries us over, around and through the pathway of life. In much the same way, the Holy Spirit is the conduit through which God sends His power when and where it is needed.

Just as we can step up to the spring to receive the cleansing and refreshment that it offers or make the decision to ignore it and walk on by, we have a similar choice to either appropriate God’s love and grace in Jesus Christ or deny Him and continue in spiritual thirst and sinfulness. This ability to choose or reject Jesus does not in indicate that we stop God’s love by rejecting Him anymore than not drinking from the stream stops the flow of water. God’s love is much stronger and longer lasting than that flow of water which, even if dammed up will eventually either will eventually go over, around, under or through any obstruction in its way.