Jesus says, "Take it freely." He wants no payment. No preparation. He seeks no recommendation from your virtuous emotions. If you have no good feelings, if you are simply willing, you are invited—therefore come!

You have no faith? No repentance? Come to him anyway, and he will give them to you. Come just as you are and take. Freely. Without money. Without price. He gives himself to needy ones.

Think of the public water fountains on our street corners. Can you imagine someone so foolish as to stand before one, fumbling for their wallet, crying out, "I cannot drink! I don't have five pounds in my pocket!" However poor the man is, there is the fountain, and just as he is, he may drink. Thirsty people walking by—whether dressed in work clothes or fine suits—don't look for permission to drink. The fountain being there is all the warrant they need. Someone's liberality put that refreshing water there, and we take it. No questions asked.

You know who goes thirsty past these fountains? The fine ladies and gentlemen in their carriages. They're parched, but they cannot think of being so vulgar as to get out and drink. It would demean them, they think, to drink from a common fountain. So they ride by with parched lips.

Oh, how many are just like this! Rich in their own good works, and therefore unable to come to Christ. "I will not be saved," they declare, "in the same way as the prostitute or the blasphemer." What! Go to heaven by the same road as a chimney sweep? Is there no path to glory except the one that led the thief there? I will not be saved that way!

Such proud boasters must remain without the living water. But the invitation stands: "Whoever will, let him TAKE THE WATER OF LIFE FREELY."