Gospel of John - Anyone Thirsty?

      

 

Anyone Thirsty?

John 7:37-52

There are only five things that man needs to be able to stay alive: shelter, air, food, water, and fellowship. During the Feast of Tabernacles, all five are key to celebrating the feast. In the spiritual life, it is only in Christ we can be satisfied, and this by the Holy Spirit. It was during the Feast of Tabernacles, the five elements of the Holy Spirit were symbolized: the water of salvation (Isa. 12:3) “With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.”, the joy of the wine offering poured out (Amos 9:13) “The time will come,” says the Lord, “when the grain and grapes will grow faster than they can be harvested. Then the terraced vineyards on the hills of Israel will drip with sweet wine!”, the wind of the palm branches (lulav) waved before the Lord (Ps. 118:25-26) "Lord, save us! Lord, grant us success! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. (Hosanna) From the house of the Lord we bless you", and fire upon the altar and the oil lamps in the sukkots (Ex. 13:21) “By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night,” and the fellowship with God (Phil. 2:1-2) “Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.”

The last day of the Feast of Tabernacles was the greatest day of the Feast, it was called Hoshanah Rabbah (the Great Praise Day). It is here that we see Jesus at the court, with a shout, a loud voice to the people about the real truth of the Feast. Let’s begin our text, ”On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink.  Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.”

Jesus knew this was his last Feast of Tabernacles, and the Father longed for the people to know the true meaning of the water, the fire, the wine, wind, and fellowship of the Holy Spirit. It was the ever flowing water (the Holy Spirit) from the throne of God that Jesus spoke of here. Jesus shouted, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink.  Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” (“For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and currents on the dry ground. I will pour out My Spirit on your descendants, and My blessing on your offspring…Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you without money, come, buy, and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost!” (Isa. 44:3, 55:1)

Jesus, speaking of the coming Holy Spirit after his death, resurrection, and ascension, desired the people to understand the true meaning behind all of the last feast of the year. Salvation came by believing in the One whom the Father has sent. The people had come in honoring the tradition and worshiping the Father for the blessing throughout the year, but Jesus wanted them to understand that the Father’s will and purpose wasn’t tradition but faith in the One in whom true salvation would come. 

Application - Before Jesus ascended into heaven, he told his disciples to wait for the coming of the Holy Spirit, the promise of the Father according to Joel 2:28-29, Isa. 44:3, 55:1. Jesus knew the hearts of everyone, especially those who were given to him by the Father. The living water given by God so that all who drank of it would never thirst again. It would be given to everyone no matter what station in life they lived. The invitation Jesus gave in the courtyard that morning of Hoshanah Rabbah to all who were seeking the promise of God, can be filled today as well. The pouring out of the living water (the Holy Spirit) gives us what we need to live an abundant life in Christ Jesus. The Holy Spirit provides us shelter in that our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 3:16-17). The living water to quench the spiritual thirsts for more God (1 Cor. 12:13). The new wine of the Holy Spirit brings joy and fullness (Amos 9:13, Matt. 9:17). The wind of the Holy Spirit bathing us in the power and praise of God Almighty (Acts2:2, Jn. 3:8,20:22). The fire of God empowering us and guiding us in the deep truths of God (Matt. 3;11b, Acts 2:3-4). And the fellowship in the Holy Spirit connects us to the Father through the Son, knowing that he is ever present in our lives and will never leave us nor forsake us, as well as with one another as the body of Christ (Phil. 2:1-2, 1 Cor, Jn. 14:16).

Second, the people were astonished by the words that he spoke, quoting the prophet Isaiah. Let’s look at the next portion of text, “On hearing his words, some of the people said, “Surely this man is the Prophet.” Others said, “He is the Messiah.” Still others asked, “How can the Messiah come from Galilee?  Does not Scripture say that the Messiah will come from David’s descendants and from Bethlehem, the town where David lived?”  Thus the people were divided because of Jesus. Some wanted to seize him, but no one laid a hand on him.” 

Upon hearing the words of Jesus, the response of the people were divided, and yet still stunted to the true meaning of the word of the prophet Isaiah spoken by Jesus, they sought to know more. They had participated in the Feast of Tabernacles and the law and traditions required by it. And when Jesus spoke of the living water, his disciples may have remembered the Samaritan woman at the well. Some of the people at the Feast believed in the prophecy, and Jesus’ words quenched a deep longing in their souls and spirits for the coming of the promised One. Jesus, now with boldness, spoke to those who had an ear to hear, whose spirits were longing for the presence of God. Here was the One in whom the prophecies of scripture foretold. Yet, they believed him to be the prophet, a person sent by God with words for his people. They had not heard such words from God since the Maccabean rebellion.

As many pondered Isaiah's prophecy, there were those who were perplexed because Jesus was known to have been raised in Galilee, specifically Nazareth. It wasn’t known that his parents were from the line of David, and that he truly was born during the Roman census in Bethlehem over thirty years before. 

The division among the people would widen, and what was written in the prophets would be fulfilled. Yet Jesus, knowing all their hearts, still spoke with compassion because of their lack of understanding of the true meaning of the Feast and faith in God the Father.  

Application - Jesus is still speaking to us in 

compassion through the Word of God and by the Holy Spirit. As the Word of God is spoken and taught, the Spirit moves in the hearts of those who are seeking the living water, the joy of new wine, the secure temple of living stones, the caressing wind leading and guiding us in the truth of God’s word, and the fellowship with God the Father through the Son and in the Holy Spirit who indwells all who believe.  We will all have questions, and as we listen to the Word of God, and seek understanding as Solomon asked of God. We will receive wisdom, understanding, and the encouragement and comfort of being united with Christ Jesus in the Holy Spirit and one another. 

Last, the chief priests and Pharisees had sent temple guards to arrest Jesus if he had shown up at the Feast. Jesus didn’t shy away, but boldly proclaimed the words from God the Father, and from the Holy Scriptures. The guards knew where Jesus was and had probably listened to him speak among the crowds in the courtyard at the Feast. When they returned without Jesus arrested, they had to explain. Let’s look at the rest of the text. “Finally the temple guards went back to the chief priests and the Pharisees, who asked them, “Why didn’t you bring him in?” “No one ever spoke the way this man does,” the guards replied. “You mean he has deceived you also?” the Pharisees retorted. “Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed in him?  No! But this mob that knows nothing of the law—there is a curse on them.” Nicodemus, who had gone to Jesus earlier and who was one of their own number, asked,  “Does our law condemn a man without first hearing him to find out what he has been doing?” They replied, “Are you from Galilee, too? Look into it, and you will find that a prophet does not come out of Galilee.”

As the temple guards explained the authority and power of the words Jesus spoke, and the response of the people to Jesus. They themselves were drawn by the words of God, especially to the coming of the Promised Messiah. But the words of reprimand from the Pharisees and chief priests chided them as being deceived by Jesus’ teachings. For the Pharisees had already decided in their hearts to kill Jesus for his perceived blasphemes. 

As they continued to talk, they posed a question and an answer about their own rank and file, “Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed in him?  No! But this mob that knows nothing of the law—there is a curse on them.” 

They believed that they were the ultimate authority on God, and the Holy Scriptures, And no one could question this authority. Little did they understand that the so-called mob was asking questions from Holy Scriptures pertaining to the coming Messiah. It was these who were searching God’s word that would be drawn to Jesus by the Holy Spirit. 

Now, Nicodemus, who secretly believed as he too searched the scripture concerning the One who spoke with authority, who commanded the demonic to leave, who healed the most infirmed, and led the people not with tyranny but with compassion. He asked a question that would ultimately lead Jesus to stand before the Sanhedrin.  “Does our law condemn a man without first hearing him to find out what he has been doing?” 

Nicodemus knew the words that Jesus spoke were true, and they were from the Father. He had already heard and accepted Jesus’ words on entering the kingdom of God (Jn. 3). He was now given the charge to go and find out if the Messiah came from Galilee. The Pharisees and chief priests meant it to shame his question, but to Nicodemus, it would have been an opportunity to hear more of the words of God from Jesus’ teaching from the scriptures.

Application - There was a statement from Joseph to his brother, “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.” Gen. 50:20 that gives us insight to the plan and will of God for man. When those who believe they are the authorities, they belittle God and his Word, they don’t understand they are fulfilling the very plan of God. Like the people at the Feast on the great day of Praising God, they were met with the power of the Word of God, and the blessing of the life giving living water of the Holy Spirit. There will always be those who question God’s Word, and those who will deny God’s Word, but to those who seek to know God’s Word they will be filled, they will be blessed. Like those who believed in Jesus at the Feast, and Nicodemus, we will not go away thirsty. We will receive the promise of the Holy Spirit in fullness to our faith. As Paul wrote to the Church, let it be so for you today. “May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.” Eph. 3:19-21

I’m again including the ABC’s of salvation (JD Farag). Please, Jesus, God the Son, came to this world to save all who would believe and trust in him. He desires to reveal himself to you, He is the Light that overcomes the darkness of this lawless world. He hears your prayers, and all authority in heaven and earth have been given to him. He will answer you if you will truly believe. If you haven’t asked him to be your Lord and Savior, today could be that day.

 First, A - Admit that you are a sinner. This is where that godly sorrow leads to genuine repentance for sinning against a righteous God and there is a change of heart, we change our mind and God changes our hearts and regenerates us from the inside out. Romans 3:10 - As it is written: "There is none righteous, no, not one." Romans 3:23 - For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (We are all born sinners which is why we must be born spiritually in order to enter the Kingdom of Heaven). Romans 6:23 - For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. The bad news is that the wages of sin is death, in other words our sin means that we have been given a death sentence, we have the death penalty hanging over our heads, that's the bad news. But here's the good news: The good news is that the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Ephesians 2:8-9 - For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith —and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. Second,

 B - Believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and that God raised Jesus from the dead. This is trusting with all of your heart that Jesus Christ is who he said he was. Romans 10:9-10 - That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. Third, 

C - Call upon the name of the Lord. Every single person who ever lived since Adam will bend their knee and confess with their mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord, the Lord of lords and the King of kings. Romans 14:11 - For it is written: "As I live, says the Lord, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God." Don't wait until later — do this now. Romans 10:13 - For "whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved." "O God, I am a sinner. I'm sorry for my sin. I want to turn from my sin. I believe Jesus Christ is Your Son; I believe that He died on the cross for my sin and that He was buried and You raised Him to life. I have decided to place my faith in Jesus Christ as my Savior, trusting only in His shed blood as sufficient to save my soul and to take me to heaven. Thank You, Lord Jesus, for saving me. Amen."

Please share this with someone this week, the Lord knows that we and they need it.

If you would like other lessons, please go to http://pmdinhisservice.blogspot.com 

Until next week, In His Service Mike Davis

I am developing a new webpage on Spiritual warfare. Please give it a look. I’m adding answers each week to questions that pertain to our time today.  Thank you

http://uss-warfare3.webnode.com