LEARNING DAILY

John 7:37-38, 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.”

Jesus is in Jerusalem for the celebration known as the Festival of Tabernacles. This festival was a week-long celebration that was for remembering God taking care of Israel during their time in the wilderness. As part of the festivities the priests would carry water from the Pool of Siloam to the temple altar to reflect God’s provision of water during the time of wandering. On the last day of the festival the priests would then recite Psalm 118:25, “Save now, I pray, O Lord; O Lord, I pray, send now prosperity”, as they made seven circuits around the altar (from an online Bible commentary Bible Ref.com). The site goes on to stress the importance of what the priests were doing in understanding what Jesus was saying. Previously, Jesus had said He was the bread of life and all who would believe in Him would never hunger and would never thirst (John 6:35).

The activity of the priests was symbolic of God’s provision. For seven days they looked back on this historic time when God provided for the people of Israel as they wandered in the wilderness. It was in this context that Jesus stood on the last day of the festival and proclaimed that He was the true Rock that gives living water to any and all who would believe in Him. He was proclaiming this to anyone who thirsts; these people were spiritually thirsty because they had become so far away from the God who had rescued them from their bondage in Israel and provided for them during their forty years of wandering in the wilderness. He may have been speaking to the people of Israel specifically but when He said anyone, He gave the opportunity for both Jews and Gentiles to come to Him and drink. “Jesus quenches every thirst – He is knowledge to the thirsty mind, love to the thirsty heart, peace to thirsty conscience, and holiness to the thirsty spirit (Isaiah 55:1)” (David Jeremiah Study Bible).

What did Jesus mean when He stated living water would flow from those who believe in Him? How does that happen? First, it must be noted that he referred to Scripture as the authority for these words. Scripture is the Word of God and because it is, it is the supreme authority of His life and teaching. Scripture must also be the authority of the Believer’s life; Scripture directs Believers as they walk on the narrow way. Scripture is the standard by which every believer must live their life; it is the authority by which God reveals His truth. Because of this anything said by a person regarding new revelation, doctrine, or any human ideas must be tested against what the Scriptures say. Never place what another person, preacher, teacher, or blogger says or writes in equality to the authority of the Bible!

When a person accepts Jesus as Savior and Lord, the Holy Spirit is given to him/her and that person will experience living waters begin to change their words, their behavior, and even the way he/she thinks. Don’t think this happens overnight – it is a process as one walks the narrow way.

We live in a world where People need to see the people of God live the way He desires. There is a dryness due to sin, evil, deception, anxiety, and depression. There is a need for a source of “living water” to flow in dry places, to give spiritual life that comes only from Jesus. You can be that source by allowing the “living water” to flow from you through your words, your actions, and your way of life. Be “that Bible that others read” by asking the Lord to fill you to overflowing with the water this dry and dying world needs to receive. The invitation is as open and true today as it was when Jesus spoke it to those on the courtyard in Jerusalem. There is life in them that will sustain each Believer as he/she walks the narrow way into eternity with God. Why not bring others with you!