True Drink

Rivers of Living Water

John 7:37 (NRSV)

Rivers of Living Water

37 On the last day of the festival, the great day, while Jesus was standing there, he cried out, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me,

On the last day of the Festival of Tabernacles (Booths) something special happened, there was a water ceremony. This is when Jesus stood up and declared with a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me, The NIV can make this sound as though the Living Water flows from the individual, but the Greek translates it as Jesus is the source. If anyone thirsts let him come, and let him drink, him who believes in me.

This means that Jesus is the source, not the individual. This is a message about the Spirit. This time frame is during the 7th month of the year. The Day of Pentecost came in the 3rd month of the year. So, 8 months before the Spirit came on that Great day, Pentecost, Jesus declares that he is the source of the Spirit.

John 19:34 (NRSV)

34 Instead, one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once blood and water came out.

The water ceremony that happened the day that Jesus testifies to being the source of the true water was symbolic. As the ceremony went, the people would surround the altar seven times. Seven is a godly number and it symbolized the seven times they marched around Jericho before the walls came tumbling down. After encircling the altar they would pour water down a silver funnel, which symbolized the water coming down from heaven. As they poured the water they shouted “Great Hosanna” “Blessed is the one who comes in he name of the Lord.”This water gathering in the Pool of Siloam is the very place where the Jews had to go for the very thing that Jesus stands up and offers to them. Basically, He is saying that the significance of the water being poured through the funnel, showing that it came down from Heave, Yes that is me.

How do we apply today’s message to our daily lives? We remember that it is Jesus that quenches our desires. He is the source.