◄ What Does John 7:38 Mean? ►

Jesus delivered this pleading invitation to the nation of Israel to come and drink of the Living Water. It was on the last day of the feast of Tabernacles, only months before His death, that Jesus made this astonishing announcement as He stood and cried out with a loud voice: If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, 'From his innermost being will flow rivers of Living Water'.

Christ's claim to be their promised Messiah could not have been clearer. For seven days, the annual ritual was once again being carried out. It was a solemn occasion which was designed to remind them of the water that flowed from the Rock in their wilderness wanderings, and which spoke prophetically of their long-awaited, promised Messiah Who would provide water to drink, streams in the desert, and an outpouring of His Holy Spirit on all who would believe.

A golden pitcher from the Jewish Temple was taken and filled to the brim with fresh water from the Gihon Spring. And as the procession returned to the alter, where the water would be poured out as a thank offering to the Lord, the choir sang joyful hymns of praise, like this one from Isaiah: "I will give thanks to You, O LORD; For although You were angry with me, Your anger is turned away, and You comfort me. Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; For the LORD GOD is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation. Therefore, you will joyously draw water from the springs of salvation. Give thanks to the LORD, call on His name Make known His deeds among the peoples; His name is exalted for He has done excellent things; Let this be known throughout the earth. Cry aloud and shout for joy, O inhabitant of Zion, For great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel!"

And it was as the nation once again rejoiced with joy in remembrance of God's promise that He is the Rock of their salvation from Whom flows the water of life, that the Lord Jesus Christ, the Holy One of Israel about Whom they were singing, stood up and cried with a loud voice: "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, 'From his innermost being will flow rivers of Living Water.'"

Moses had told them that God would send a prophet like himself Who would satisfy their desire and cause them to become like a well-watered garden, with springs of water that would not not fail. It was amidst all the celebration, as they looked back on God's faithfulness and forward to the future fulfilment of His Promise, that Jesus delivered this pleading invitation to the nation of Israel to come and drink of the Living Water. John explains that this Living Water is the precious gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit for whosoever will come, and drink, and live.

The pleading invitation to come and drink of the Living Water continues to be offered today to whosoever will come, for in Him alone is life and light. He is our strength and our song, and in Him alone is salvation. He is the Rock from Whom flow rivers of Living Water, which become a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

This Living Water is given to all who trust in the Person of Christ and His sacrificial Work on the Cross, for as the Scripture say: "He who believes on Me, from his innermost being will flow rivers of Living Water."

Heavenly Father, thank You for Jesus Who is the living water and for the indwelling Holy Spirit Who becomes a well of water spiring up into everlasting life for whosoever will believe on Christ for the forgiveness of sins and life everlasting. To Him be all praise and glory for ever and ever, AMEN.