The Offer and Response

The offer (7:37–39)

John 7:37–39 NKJV

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.

a. What (7:38):

Jesus offers streams of living water to all those who are thirsty!

b. When (7:37):

Jesus makes the offer on the final day of the Festival of Shelters.

c. Who (7:39):

Jesus speaks of the Holy Spirit, who will soon indwell all believers![1]

The Reactions to Christ

1 Reaction of the Convinced

John 7:40–41 NKJV

Therefore many from the crowd, when they heard this saying, said, “Truly this is the Prophet.” Others said, “This is the Christ.” But some said, “Will the Christ come out of Galilee?

2 The reaction of the Contrary

John 7:41–42 NKJV

Others said, “This is the Christ.” But some said, “Will the Christ come out of Galilee? Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the seed of David and from the town of Bethlehem, where David was?”

3 The reaction of the Hostile

John 7:43–44 NKJV

So there was a division among the people because of Him. Now some of them wanted to take Him, but no one laid hands on Him.

4 The reaction of the Confused

John 7:45–46 NKJV

Then the officers came to the chief priests and Pharisees, who said to them, “Why have you not brought Him?” The officers answered, “No man ever spoke like this Man!”

5 The Reaction of the Religious Authorities

John 7:47–52 NKJV

Then the Pharisees answered them, “Are you also deceived? Have any of the rulers or the Pharisees believed in Him? But this crowd that does not know the law is accursed.” Nicodemus (he who came to Jesus by night, being one of them) said to them, “Does our law judge a man before it hears him and knows what he is doing?” They answered and said to him, “Are you also from Galilee? Search and look, for no prophet has arisen out of Galilee.”