John 7:37-39: Living Water

Living Water, John 7:37-39.

Introduction

THE GREAT FEAST

According to verse 2, the Jews were celebrating the Feasts of Tabernacles [Feast of Booths]. The feast looked back to Israel’s 40-year journey through the wilderness and looked forward to the promised kingdom of the Messiah. This was a feast that occurred during the first part of our month of October. During this seven-day feast, the Jews lived in booths made of tree branches to remind them of God’s providential care. The temple area was illuminated by large candlesticks that reminded the people of the guiding pillar of fire. On each of these seven days, the High Priest would go to the Pool of Siloam and draw out water in a golden vessel [John 14:26]. This water would then be poured out on the altar where the parts of the sacrifice were arranged. This pouring out of the water would remind the Jews of the miraculous provision of water from the rock.

CHRIST WAS THE ROCK OUT OF WHICH THE WATERS FLOWED [Exodus 17:1-7; I Corinthians 10:4].

REACTIONS ABOUT JESUS BY THE PEOPLE ATTENDING THE FEAST.

John 7:15, 31, 46, 48.

As the water was poured out, the people sang unto the Lord and shouted for joy. It was a time of great celebration and worship for the people. This kind of celebrating continued for seven days. The eighth day was called the great day of the feast and one of “solemn assembly.” [Leviticus 23:36].

On this 8th day, sacrifices were again offered, but there was no singing and no shouting. This was known as a solemn day of repentance before the Lord.

Another element was missing on this day as well. There was no water poured out on the eighth day.

THE GREAT STATEMENT OF JESUS ABOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT.

It was against this backdrop of silence and symbolism that Jesus stood up and proclaimed Himself to be the Fountain of Living Water. When He spoke, thousands would have been present to hear Him, and everyone who heard Him would have instantly understood what He meant.

1. Verse 37: The Invitation.

a. “If any man thirst." His invitation was extended to anyone. His gospel was universal. Availability: “any man.” [John 6:37; I John 5:1; Romans 10:13]. There was no one who could not be saved if he would simply come to Christ. He invited anyone who was thirsty spiritually to come to Him and take what would satisfy and sustain them. Jesus proclaims Himself to be the place where the living water is found. Jesus isn't the living water, but He is the fountain where it can be found! Just like the woman at the well. [John 4:10; 4:14].

b. Notice to whom the invitation is given.

• not to those who have prayed and fasted long enough.

• not to those who have prayed through or loud enough.

• not to those who have repeated phrases of praises enough.

• not to those who have recently taken the sacraments.

c. But to those who are thirsty.

Notice the condition, “thirsty.” Thirst speaks of spiritual need. Unless a person knows he is a sinner, he will never want to be saved. He must realize he is lost, or he will never desire to be found. They must see the great spiritual lack in their life and turn to the Lord to have the need met. This involved the conviction of the Holy Spirit. [John 6:44]. You see, the sinner is dead in sins. [Ephesians 2:1]. But the Spirit of God comes by and quickens that dead spirit and makes the sinner aware of his sins and of his lost condition. When this awareness comes, the sinner can then turn to Jesus for salvation.

d. How wonderful to express it this way!

• Some here might not know how to get religious enough

• Some might not be able to reform enough

• Some might not understand theology enough [not works]

e. But everyone knows how it feels to be thirsty!

• Do you thirst to know that the guilty is gone?

• Do you thirst to know that the record is clean?

• Do you thirst for fellowship with God? Then come drink.

2. The Instruction.

a. “Let him come unto me and drink.” Jesus invited the thirsty soul to come to Him: not to church, not the preacher, not water baptism, not the Lord’s Table, no one else or nothing else will work.

b. To receive this refreshing water, come to Jesus and drink.

c. Consider the call by Isaiah, Isaiah 55:1.

d. Consider the last invitation in the Bible: Revelation 22:17.

e. What is meant by “come unto and drink"?

“Drink” means to appropriate Christ for oneself.

• To come to Him is to believe on Him.

• To come to Him is to trust Him.

• To come to Him is to receive Him.

It means to take Him into our lives as we would take a glass of water into our bodies.

f. Note that the requirement for receiving the Holy Spirit is the same as that of receiving Christ.

g. Upon receiving Christ, the Holy Spirit comes into the believer.

3. The Inner Fountain, v. 38.

a. “out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.” He was smitten on the cross that the Spirit of life might be given to save and satisfy thirsty sinners.

Satisfaction: Notice that it is from the belly that these “rivers of living waters” flow. The belly is that part of man that is never satisfied. We feed it, and soon thereafter, it cries out for more. Yet, Jesus says that if we come to Him that He will give us satisfaction for our most pressing needs.

b. We are not to be cisterns but rivers. Out of the most inner part of man flows streams of water to be a help to others. This is not like the Dead Sea but a great river, not a swamp but a refreshing stream. No one indwelled by the Holy Spirit can contain His flow. It just flows. If there is not flowing forth, He is not there.

c. What will flow in these rivers? The Bible makes it clear that this water of life that is placed within us forms a mighty river that flows from us and touches those around us. What the Lord is saying is that there we will be sufficiently satisfied and that He will use us to reach others for His glory!

The Rock in the desert, Exodus 17:6. When the Rock was opened, the water flowed forth into the desert and refreshed all who came into contact with it. So, it is with us. When we are saved and willing in the hand of God, He will allow us to pour forth the Living Water into the dry desert of this world. The fruit of the Spirit will flow in these rivers. The compassion of Christ will flow. Power to witness will flow. Faith will flow.

Verse 39 is very important because it teaches that all who receive the Lord Jesus Christ also receive the Spirit of God. Here in the text, it was not until Pentecost. The Holy Spirit is immediately, from then on.

So, how is your flow tonight?