If Any Man Thirst

Bible Reading: John 7

John 7:37-38 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. 38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.

It was the last day of the Feast of Tabernacles. During this feast, the High Priest would draw water from the Pool of Siloam and bring it in a pitcher and pour it out at the base of the altar. They did this in anticipation of the day when the Messiah would reign from Jerusalem and the Old Testament prophecies would be fulfilled.

Zechariah 14:8 And it shall be in that day, that living waters shall go out from Jerusalem; half of them toward the former sea, and half of them toward the hinder sea: in summer and in winter shall it be.

Ezekiel 47:1

Chapter 47:1 Afterward he brought me again unto the door of the house; and, behold, waters issued out from under the threshold of the house eastward: for the forefront of the house stood toward the east, and the waters came down from under from the right side of the house, at the south side of the altar.

It was at this very moment that Jesus cried out. He cried out an invitation to those who heard and to all who would ever hear his word. Can you hear the invitation? Do you thirst?

Our world is a thirsty world. People try to quench that thirst with so many things. You know what a thirst is, don't you? It is a desire; a need for the life-giving water that makes up most of your body. There is a soul thirst as well. It is a longing for something more than what this life offers. Many people try to quench it with alcohol, adrenaline, and religious experiences. These will never satisfy, however the Bible says:

Psalms 34:8 O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.

How do you drink the water of life that Jesus offers? You believe on him. That is what he says in verse 38. Not only with this drink from Jesus satisfy, but it will create in you rivers of living water. The imagery makes perfect sense. The Israelite people were awaiting their Messiah. They knew when he came, the temple would produce a river of living water. Jesus says that he is the Messiah and his people are the temple! It is out of us who are filled with the Holy Spirit that the water of life will flow.

John 7:39 (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)

Have you heard his invitation? Have you responded in faith and believed on Jesus Christ? He does not expect our religious duties. He says come to Him and believe. He will put the river in you!

In Christ,
Rody