TEXT: John 7:37-53

SUBJECT: Exposition of John #20: The Last Day of the Feast

Let's continue our study of John's Gospel today and look at another proof that "Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God". The Apostle thinks this is worth proving at length--worth laboring, even. You know why, don't you? Because "eternal life" depends on believing it. Your eternal life. The "Gospel is the power of God for salvation, [but only to those] "who believe" it. May God mix these words with faith in our hearts, for Christ's sake. Amen.

Introduction, v.37a.

The events of this passage took place "On the last day, that great day of the Feast". The "Feast" is "Tabernacles", a weeklong holiday held in Jerusalem each autumn. It recalled the goodness of God to Israel in the wilderness. Two features stood out: the lighting of the Menorah (which looked back to God's visible presence in the fiery pillar) and the pouring out of water (recalling the Rock from which God made water to gush).

This was a good time for the Jewish people--a sacred time. It looked back in thankfulness; it looked forward in hope. The God who once lighted up a camp would one day illuminate the world; the God who once made water come from a Rock would one day cover the earth with His knowledge as the waters cover the sea.

How precious was the Feast of Tabernacles! What a blessing it was to the People of God!

As the Feast came to its climax, our Lord stood up and spoke these words: "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".

Every detail is packed with meaning. Most of the time, He sat down to teach. But today, He rises to His feet, signifying--not another sermon or lesson--but an announcement. His voice, most of the time conversational, is now lifted to "Cry out". The people are riveted by the moment. Will they be disappointed at what follows? They won't be.

The announcement is short, potent, and of eternal consequence. J.C. Ryle outlines it well. There is--the good bishop wrote--

A case supposed. "If anyone thirsts..." For seven days, the sacred water was poured out. Had it made anyone thirsty? Thirsty for a drink only God can provide? If so, there is a...

A remedy proposed. "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink..." Centuries before, water had come from God to sustain His people in a "dry and thirsty land". But the water met only a physical need; and only for a time. Why was it commemorated each year at the Feast? Because it looked forward to something better. One day, the God who sent water from a Rock would provide a better drink. It would give life to His people--a fullness of life they hadn't known before; a life worthy of their God. It is now offered in Jesus Christ. To everyone who comes to Christ. Those who do find...

A promise held 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". The water is "living" in that it gives and sustains eternal life. It is had by "believing in [Jesus Christ]". When received, it causes a weird thing to happen: Rivers of living water will flow out of one's heart (or belly).

What does this mean?

Whatever it means, we know this much: it is revealed in the Old Testament Scripture. What's the referent? There isn't one, but many allusions to it. Isaiah 12:3 is as good as any others. Looking forward to the Messianic age, God says, "Therefore with joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation". This living water, in short, is the full blessing of God--a blessing much better than the water that gushed in the wilderness. In a word, it is salvation--not just conversion--but salvation in its fullness.

This Living Water is poured into our souls. And more: it overflows them. The blessings we receive make us a blessing to others. That's an old theme, isn't it? Abraham was blessed by God and made a blessing to others. The same is true of the believer. He receives this "living water"--not so as to hog it all to himself, but so that he might share it with others. And in so doing, he doesn't lose a drop of it. This river is at flood stage! At all times.

"Perfect, yet it floweth

fuller every day;

Perfect, yet it groweth

deeper all the way".

John is afraid we'll miss our Lord's exact meaning. And so, in v.39, he adds an editorial comment: "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".

This "living water" is the fullness of salvation (as the prophets taught), but our Lord equates this fullness with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

At the time our Lord made this promise, the Holy Spirit "was not yet given". What does this mean?

It doesn't mean there was no Holy Spirit before this time, for He--like the Father and the Son--is eternal. We read of Him as far back as the opening verses of the Bible.

It also doesn't mean that the Holy Spirit had never been "given" before. He had been, often. He was "given" to the kings of Israel, for example, to the prophets, and to others.

Most importantly, it doesn't mean the men were once saved apart from the Holy Spirit. Hadn't our Lord made this plain in His chat with Nicodemus? In order to "enter the kingdom of God" one "must be born of the Spirit". This was no innovation, as a student of Scripture, Nicodemus should have taken this in with his mother's milk.

What it means is simply this: The Spirit had not been given in His fullness. Pentecost commences the age of the Spirit. On that day--and not before--the prophecy of Joel was realized: "I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh".

Why hadn't He come already? John explains: "Because Jesus was not yet glorified". What is the Spirit's chief work? Bringing glory to Jesus Christ (cf. John 16:14). But this was not possible--not in its fullness--until our Lord was fully glorified at His Father's Right Hand. Ten days after He was seated in that place of honor, the Father's promise was fulfilled, and--in the words of Peter--"He (Christ) poured out this (the Holy Spirit)--(whose effects) you now see and hear (cf. Acts 2:33).

The Holy Spirit has now come in His fullness. And He is given to everyone who believes in Jesus Christ. Because believers possess the Holy Spirit, we have "all things which pertain to life and godliness".

The Gospel, therefore, offers you more than "fire insurance"; it offers nothing less than the Holy Spirit. It is no wonder our Lord must stand up and cry out such words!

"Never has a man spoken such words". Yet the words are not received by everyone. Public opinion remains split.

Some were positive, hailing Him as "the Prophet" and even "The Christ".

Others were unsure, impressed by His teaching, but doubtful than anyone from Galilee could be the Savior. Mustn't He come from Bethlehem? They should have checked the bio more carefully.

Others were bitterly opposed to Him. Some of the people "wanted to take Him"--beat Him to death on the spot. The Rulers were--almost to a man--on this side.

They sent "officers" to arrest Him, but failed because the policemen were so impressed by what He said. This further enraged the leading men who charged the "officers" with being "deceived"--like the ignorant "crowd" who were "cursed" by their lack of education.

A quick survey is taken of the Leadership. "Have any of the rulers or Pharisees believed in Him?" No one admits to it, of course. But Nicodemus is the voice of caution: "Does our Law judge a man before it hears him and knows what he is doing?" This is interpreted as championing our Lord Jesus! And so Nicodemus--the most respected teacher in Israel--is charged with ignorance and folly. A "proof text" is appended--which, of course, proves nothing but the dishonesty of the men who use it to win the argument.

That's the last word. No further inquiry as to the facts is possible. No further study of Scripture is needed. The Leadership has made its decision: Jesus of Nazareth must die!

"And everyone went to his own house".

This passage--like the rest of John's Gospel--was written to make us believe "Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God". Does it? It ought to. Here's why: The Water of Life comes from God--and from no one else. But Jesus offered that water in His own name. And promised everyone who believed in Him would have it. Jesus, therefore, can be nothing less than "the Christ, the Son of God". Therefore, by trusting Him, you can have nothing less than "eternal life". Believe. Live. Amen.