John 7:37-39 - Lesson #79

During the middle of the Feast in Jerusalem, Jesus began teaching in the temple and was quickly involved in such a confrontation that "the Pharisees and the chief priests sent officers to take Him" (John 7:32). But they would not succeed because it was not yet His time and He still had many important messages to deliver.

John 7:37-39
"On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, 'If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.' But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified."

The Feast of Tabernacles was a memorial to how God had provided for the Israelites while they wandered in the desert. A daily ceremony was performed where the priests would pour water on the altar. This was to remind the people of how God had supplied water from a rock during their time of need (Numbers 20:7-11) and also to acknowledge God's goodness in supplying adequate rain for the following season.

In this context of the people thanking God for His provision of water, Jesus stood up and literally shouted! They did good to thank God for their water, but Jesus had something so much better!! For those who would come to Him and believe, He would provide a thirst quenching gift which would flow for all eternity. This is similar to what He told the Samaritan woman at the well: "but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst" (John 4:14).

All through the gospel of John, Jesus demonstrated that He was the Son of God who would provide for all needs during His coming Kingdom, as was promised through the prophets; "Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat" (Isaiah 55:1). But since John was writing many years after Jesus was resurrected, he could add an explanation of what was meant by rivers of living water.

The Holy Spirit was "given" on the day of Pentecost, fifty days after the Passover when Jesus was crucified; "And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance" (Acts 2:4). This event marked the beginning of the Church and the beginning of the Holy Spirit being given and personally dwelling within all who believe.

The Holy Spirit is the very presence of God residing within our heart. He is a gift which Jesus said is even better for us than Himself; "It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you" (John 16:7). The Holy Spirit has been poured out for those who believe and will flow from our heart for all eternity. Let's come to Him thirsty and ready to drink. Let's receive His gift and flow with a river of living water.