In the heart of Yerevan, stands a statue that captures the spirit of a nation. It’s the statue of David of Sassoun, sculpted by Yervand Kochar. Iit embodies the soul of Armenian resilience and the undying flame of independence. Kochar, created this masterpiece during the stifling era of communism, navigated through a sea of challenges and witnessed his original statue destroyed only to be recreated much later. His work became a beacon of national identity, reminding Armenians of their enduring strength and patience.
Surrounding David is a pool, but it’s not just water that fills this basin. Underneath the statue, there’s a small cup, known as the “cup of patience,” symbolizing the Armenian spirit and endless patience of the Armenian nation. This cup, once filled, tips over, signifying the birth of a hero and the unleashing of a force that fills the entire pool continuously, a poetic representation of never-ending resilience.
This imagery beautifully parallels the message in John 7:37-39, where Jesus invites the thirsty to come to Him and drink, promising that rivers of living water will flow from within them. The cup of patience beneath David and the living water offered by Jesus both signify something profound yet vastly different in scale. The cup, though small, triggers a limitless supply, much like the seemingly limited invitation from Jesus that unfolds into an eternal source of spiritual nourishment.
Often, we find ourselves caught up in the tangibles—how much, when, and where we will receive our divine blessings. Yet, the essence of Jesus’ promise isn’t about the measure of what we receive but the transformation that occurs within us, turning us into conduits of living water. How much water do we need to satisfy our thirst? Not much. But notice how much more it is expected of us to produce through the symbolism of the rivers of living-waters flowing through us.
Divine gifts are not about accumulation or consumption. What is hoarded eventually spoils; what is consumed soon depletes. However, when we act as mirrors, reflecting the divine generosity bestowed upon us, we transcend our limitations. We become eternal springs, sources of life, light, and hope. This is the true essence of divine blessings—not in the quantity we receive, but in the endless rivers of grace, love, and hope we can channel to the world.
In embracing this perspective, we realize that our capacity to bless others is not limited by the size of our cup but by the breadth of our willingness to share the living waters we’ve been given. Like the statue of David of Sassoun, may we too be reminders of resilience and conduits of hope in a world thirsty for the eternal.
