“He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. John 7: 38,39, NKJV.
Holy God we praise You for the gift of Your Holy Spirit from whence comes the springs of Living Water that our souls long for. Please fill us till we can walk in victory and lead other souls to You. This is our prayer and for this we long. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Today we continue to look at the invitation Jesus extended to the people on the last day of the Feast of Tabernacles. There was a division among the Jews – even among the leaders; for ‘ “No man ever spoke like this Man” ‘ (46)! Some who had never seen nor heard Jesus speak before were concluding: ‘ “Truly this is the Prophet” (40). Others were convinced that: ‘ “This is the Christ” ‘ (41). And yet others sought to lay hands on Him but dared not (44), because His purpose was not yet fulfilled (39).
Many present that day in Jerusalem were to receive the Gift that would produce in them “rivers of living water.” Even though Jesus knew that He was putting His life in jeopardy by going up to Jerusalem, He had to show up in order to make them the offer.
Prior to this Jesus had said the following: ‘ “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst” (6: 35). The Bible record says that they “complained” about that saying (41). But when He offered them His body to eat and His blood to drink, that was too much! “From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more” (66).
I have often pondered the fact that Jews took Jesus’ sayings quite literal. Nicodemus wanted to know how he could go back into his mother’s womb being an adult (3: 4). Even Jesus had to question His lack of knowledge of “heavenly things” (10-12). Now these Jews are walking away from Jesus because His saying[s] are too “hard” to understand (6: 60).
How much different are we from the Jews of Jesus’ day? We want a Messiah that can multiply bread and fishes to satisfy our physical needs. But we also desire the streams of living waters from within, to quench our spiritual and emotional longings. Yet not many of us are willing to linger long enough with the Savior until we understand how this is possible. When the going gets tough, like the crowd, we turn our backs on Him and walk away.
Thank God there are the Peters, who though they do not fully understand the process, recognizes in Jesus and Jesus alone, the Provider of everything they will ever need in this world and the world to come (67-69). Thank God for the women at the wells of life, who accept all that the Savior has to say, even if it means dealing with a past that they would rather not talk about. Their desire for what the Savior has to offer is so great that they are willing and eager to receive the Gift even if it means letting go of their safety net (4: 15, 28)!
How much do you desire the Gift of the Holy Spirit? How much are you willing give up to receive it? Jesus is inviting you and me to come to Him and drink. Will you accept His invitation? I have, and I am glad that I did.