Come and Drink

There is no other stream

Aslan from The Silver Chair by CS Lewis

From the days of the prophet Isaiah the Lord has been offering freely the water of life to anyone who would come and drink. This remains true today, but one must come into the awful presence of the King of Kings in order to get it.

This is played out allegorically in CS Lewis’ The Silver Chair from the Narnia series.

“Are you not thirsty?” said the Lion. “I’m dying of thirst,” said Jill. “Then drink,” said the Lion. “May I — could I — would you mind going away while I do?” said Jill.

The Lion answered this only by a look and a very low growl. …The delicious rippling noise of the stream was driving her nearly frantic.

“Will you promise not to – do anything to me, if I do come?” said Jill. “I make no promise,” said the Lion. …“I daren’t come and drink,” said Jill. “Then you will die of thirst,” said the Lion. “Oh dear!” said Jill, coming another step nearer. “I suppose I must go and look for another stream then.” “There is no other stream,” said the Lion.

The Lion, of course, is God Himself. The fear of Him, in His power and glory, was enough to keep her from the enjoyment of a slaked thirst. Those who remain thirsty do so out of fear, or believing there is another source of life. There is no other stream, and the lion means you only good. Come and drink…

John 4:10,14