Study #3: MEM

MEM: THE 13TH LETTER OF THE HEBREW ALPHABET

MEM AND THE DECLARATION OF JESUS AS MESSIAH ( Part 1 )

The Water Metaphor of MEM – as an outpouring of salvation for humankind – was pronounced by Jesus in the Water Libation ceremony during the Feast of Tabernacles.

The Water Libation Ceremony ( known as Nissuch Ha-Mayim in Hebrew ) was one of the most popular parts of the celebration of the Feast of Tabernacles. This ceremony followed the daily sacrifices. It is no longer observed today but was practiced during  the time of Jesus who used this ceremony to make a bold statement.

On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.”(John 7:37-38).

Jesus was declaring that He was Messiah and that everyone who would believe in Him would receive the gift or indwelling of the Holy Spirit, the “living water,” not measured in terms of a trickling spring, the Spring of Gihon, but a flowing river-even numerous rivers!

Abba Father, Jesus was saying in effect “I am the reality that the water in this ceremony symbolizes-the true life giver through whom the Holy Spirit is also given.” He is indeed the MEM of our salvation.