Originally posted: 11/04/2019
Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink,” (7:37).
While in the throes of planning the baby shower for my daughter when she was expecting twins, I remember my concern for all their newly incurred and substantial needs. And I remember my hope… that there would be a lot of gifts for the babies and parents.
But imagine the absurdity if my home was filled with both guests and gifts, and upon entering, my sweet daughter and son-in-law see the guests and gifts, then turn on their heels and refuse to take what was freely offered… a completely implausible scene, right? After all, a gift offered is a gift to be received.
Consider His Gift of Living Water
Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. 38 He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’” 39 But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive; for the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified, (7:37-39).
His Gift of Living Water is available to all who recognize their need.
“If anyone is thirsty…”
His Gift of Living Water is given to all who come to Him to drink by faith, to all who will believe in order to receive.
“…let him come to Me and drink… 38 He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’” 39 But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive.”
And somehow, as implausible as it seems, so many turned their heels and refused His Gift of Living Water; choosing instead to engage in religious debate.
Some of the people therefore, when they heard these words, were saying, “This certainly is the Prophet.” 41 Others were saying, “This is the Christ.” Still others were saying, “Surely the Christ is not going to come from Galilee, is He? 42 Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the descendants of David, and from Bethlehem, the village where David was?” 43 So a division occurred in the crowd because of Him, (7:40-43).
The greatest Gift ever offered…His Gift of Living Water, and they declined to imbibe.
How do we respond to His Gift of Living Water?
“If anyone is thirsty…”
We begin by recognizing we need what only Jesus has to give and it is not found in religion. It is found in His Gift of Living Water.
We receive His Gift of Living Water, His Holy Spirit given, when we believe and place our faith in Jesus Christ for our eternal salvation.
And His Gift of Living Water promises our thirst will be forever satisfied in Him.
- When we thirst for truth, let us come to Him and drink.
- Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me,” (John 14:6).
- When we thirst for love, let us come to Him and drink.
- …the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us, (Romans 5:5).
- When we thirst for peace, let us come to Him and drink.
- For He Himself is our peace, (Ephesians 2:14).
- Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful, (Colossians 3:15).
- When we thirst for security, let us come to Him and drink.
- …for He Himself has said, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you,” (Hebrews 13:5).
- When we thirst for wisdom, let us come to Him and drink.
- But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him, (James 1:5).
- When we thirst for encouragement, let us come to Him and drink.
- And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9).
- I can do all things through Him who strengthens me, (Philippians 4:13).
May we continually come to Him to drink of His Gift of Living Water, and may He so grow our faith that we may be filled to overflowing… to all the fullness of God.
…so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God, (Ephesians 3:17-19).