John 7:37-39

The Feast of Tabernacles was an eight-day feast, to remember how the Lord had provided for His people in the wilderness. As the people would gather at the steps of the temple, the priests would fill up big pitchers of water and bring them to the steps, pouring them out as the people sang about the coming Messiah. On the eighth day, they would go to the pool to fill the pitchers, but instead would leave them empty, turning them over on the steps but with no water coming out. It would represent how God brought them to the promised land, with rivers and streams to drink from.

So now Jesus stands up on the eighth day and cries out, “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.” As the people were crying out for water in the wilderness, Moses beat on the rock and life-giving water came forth. Here Jesus says, “If you’re thirsty, come to me, and I will give you life.” He was beaten, He suffered, and died so we might live.

John adds here that, “He spoke concerning the Spirit, that those who believed in Him would receive.” The Holy Spirit that would bring new life to the believer and would flow from the life of those who believe as we live this new life for our Savior.

Pastor Doug Hardin