Today’s Reading: John 7; Isaiah 55
On the last day, the climax of the festival, Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, “Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’” (When he said “living water,” he was speaking of the Spirit, who would be given to everyone believing in him. But the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet entered into his glory.) – John 7:37-39
It was the Jewish Festival of Shelters (or Feast of Tabernacles) and crowds had come from all over the land for the celebration. People were grumbling amongst each other, some who looked at Jesus favorably and others who thought he was a fraud. The Jewish leaders walked among the people, asking if anyone had seen Jesus. Halfway through the festival, Jesus went to the Temple and began to teach, answering the accusations against him.
So Jesus told them, “My message is not my own; it comes from God who sent me. Anyone who wants to do the will of God will know whether my teaching is from God or is merely my own. Those who speak for themselves want glory only for themselves, but a person who seeks to honor the one who sent him speaks truth, not lies. Moses gave you the law, but none of you obeys it! In fact, you are trying to kill me.” – John 7:16-19
The people were talking with each other, trying to figure out who Jesus was. They knew the Jewish leaders were trying to kill Jesus, so they were not surprised when Jesus said this. All of his miracles seemed to point to him being the Messiah, but he was not meeting their preconceived notions of how the Messiah would appear or where he would come from. It was not an easy decision for them and many walked away still undecided.
“Yes, you know me, and you know where I come from. But I’m not here on my own. The one who sent me is true, and you don’t know him. But I know him because I come from him, and he sent me to you.” Then the leaders tried to arrest him; but no one laid a hand on him, because his time had not yet come. – John 7:28b-30
“ANYONE WHO BELIEVES IN ME MAY COME AND DRINK.”
Many today still struggle to believe that Jesus was who he said he was. There is division and unbelief among us, just as there was while Jesus walked this earth. Because of this, it is important for each of us to dig deep and ask ourselves if we truly believe in Jesus. Do we have confidence in what the scriptures teach us about Jesus, and are we willing to walk in faith no matter how those around us choose to react or what they say about Jesus? If we choose faith, Jesus is calling us to come and drink of the Spirit.
“Come to me with your ears wide open.
Listen, and you will find life.
I will make an everlasting covenant with you.
I will give you all the unfailing love I promised to David.” – Isaiah 55:3
The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” Let anyone who hears this say, “Come.” Let anyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who desires drink freely from the water of life. – Revelation 22:17
“ANYONE WHO IS THIRSTY MAY COME TO ME.”
“Is anyone thirsty? Come and drink…”
Seek the Lord while you can find him.
Call on him now while he is near.
Let the wicked change their ways
and banish the very thought of doing wrong.
Let them turn to the Lord that he may have mercy on them.
Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously. – Isaiah 55:1,6-7
On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took some bread and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and said, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, he took the cup of wine after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood. Do this in remembrance of me as often as you drink it.” – 1 Corinthians 11:23b-25
Do you believe? Come and drink.
Are you thirsty? Come and drink.
Come experience the rivers of living water that flow from his heart.