In parts of Egypt and other eastern countries, water does not come out of faucets like it does in this country. It has to be carried to the home from wells or other sources. In larger towns there are water carriers who carry a large tank of water on a cart. They go down the streets selling the water to anyone who will buy it.
To attract people’s attention the carrier will call out in his language, “Thirsty ones, come and drink!” This is much the same as what the Bible says in Isaiah 55:11Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. (Isaiah 55:1): “Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters.”
But the water carrier sells the water he carries. This is different from what Isaiah says in the last part of the verse - “and he that hath no money; come ye, buy . . . without money and without price.”
Often the water carrier meets groups of children playing in the streets. They are thirsty, but they don’t have any money to buy his water. Some of us live in cities where the ice cream truck comes down the street on hot summer days with ice cream to sell. But unless we have some money, we can’t buy any ice cream.
Sometimes, but not often, someone will buy the thirsty children of desert countries water to drink. And sometimes a friend here will buy ice cream for a child who doesn’t have any money. These kind people offer the water or ice cream free to the children! It has already been paid for.
This is the true message of the gospel - Christ has paid the price - the water of life that He offers you is free!
ML-09/29/1996