John 7:35-38

35 Then the Jews said among themselves, “Where does He intend to go that we shall not find Him? Does He intend to go to the Dispersion among the Greeks and teach the Greeks? 

36 What is this thing that He said, ‘You will seek Me and not find Me, and where I am you cannot come’?”

37 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. 

38 He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”

“Are You Thirsty? Come and Drink.”

In response to Jesus’ words in verse 34, the Jews asked, paraphrasing, “Where is He going that we can’t find Him? Is He going to teach our people who are dispersed outside of our country? Is He going to teach the Greeks? What does He mean, ‘we will not find Him and cannot come where He is’?” Again, instead of listening to Jesus, they question Him and complain against Him. Instead of having open hearts to try to understand, they set their hearts against Him.

In verse 37, the writer makes it a point to tell us that it is the last day of the feast, and Jesus stood up to speak. Again, it says that He “cried out”! He was pleading for someone, anyone, to listen to Him. The words that Jesus says in verse 37 are full of symbolism. Jesus says, “If you are thirsty, come to Me and drink.” Why is Jesus using the symbolism of being thirsty here? Well, as always, Jesus’ teaching methods make perfect sense. The Feast of Tabernacles lasts eight days. On each of the seven days, priests would draw water from the Pool Siloam in a golden pitcher, carry it to the temple, and pour it around the altar. When the priests got near the gate, the shofar (a ram’s horn trumpet) was blown, and then they would sing psalms of praise and thanksgiving to God for the harvest. (Borchert, New American Commentary) The pouring of the water was in remembrance of when God provided water for their ancestors in the desert. It also represented the pouring out of God’s Spirit in the last days. The pouring of the water at this Feast symbolized the coming of the Messianic age in which a stream from the sacred rock would flow across the whole earth. (Carson, Pillars New Testament Commentary) The Feast also included prayers for rain, since it was in the fall after a hot, dry summer. Now, knowing all that, imagine Jesus getting up and saying, “If anyone thirsts, let Him come to Me and drink.” He is everything the Feast of Tabernacles represents. He is the fulfillment of all the symbolism found in the Feast. Amazing! I would have never learned so much about the Feast of Tabernacles and what it all meant if I hadn’t done this scripture writing and study. I am so amazed by what I have learned. 

 In verse 38, Jesus says, paraphrasing, “Anyone who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, will have living water flowing out of his/her heart continually.” Who did Jesus discuss living water with first? Remember His discussion with the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well? She was the first to hear about the “living water” that Jesus would provide. We know why Jesus used the symbolism of “living water” with the woman. He was at a well, Jacob’s well, to be exact, where God had provided water for Jacob’s family in the past. Now we know why He brings “living water” up again here during the Feast of Tabernacles. When Jesus says “as the Scripture has said” in verse 38, He could be referring to several scriptures that speak about water. Isaiah 44:3 refers to “pouring water on a thirsty land” and “pouring my Spirit upon your offspring”. Zechariah 14:8 refers to “living waters” flowing out of Jerusalem. 

What is the keyword that Jesus uses in verse 38? What is the key to all of this, the living water, never thirsting again, all of it? The keyword is “heart”. If we truly believe in Jesus with all of our hearts, then that belief will lead to obedience. Obedience to Jesus will lead to constant spiritual satisfaction. We will have a never-ending fountain of fresh water that quenches our spiritual thirst forever. That fresh water is Jesus. These Jews who were against Jesus had a heart problem. They went through the motions of all their rituals and ceremonies of the law, but that’s all they did; they went through the motions. They punched a clock, as we would say today. They had not given God their heart. If they had, then they would have accepted Jesus. If we don’t fully give our hearts to Jesus, we don’t have the satisfying, thirst-quenching, life-giving “living water” that He promises us. It is a transformation of the heart. There can be no more of this “I am who I am” attitude. That attitude has to change into an “I am who Jesus wants me to be” attitude. We all have tendencies to fall to different temptations that Satan puts before us. Everyone has weaknesses. But Jesus, the “living water”, will satisfy us if we will only “come and drink”. He will satisfy us in a way that the temptations of the world could never even begin to satisfy us, if we will only “come and drink” and let His Word flow through our hearts continually. How peaceful and satisfying does that sound to you? It sounds like heaven to me. 

God means for everyone to learn what the Bible teaches about being saved. It only takes an open heart for Jesus and a willingness to put away what we’ve been taught in the past, and truly read what God’s Word says for ourselves… and then accept what it says and obey it. If I can help you in any way, I would love to! Are you walking in the light? Are you in Christ? Are you saved? If you aren’t, or if you’re not sure if you are, I’d love to help you. Are you a member of the Lord’s church, but are struggling spiritually in your walk with Christ? If you are… believe me, I’ve been there many times, and I’d love to help you. If you have any questions, please reach out. 

I love God’s Word. It challenges me to be better… to do more in His service. It is interesting and keeps me on the edge of my seat, wondering what will happen next. It gives me confidence and builds me up, and it brings me to my knees when my soul needs convicting! Thank you, Father, for the wonderful gift of Your Word!

God’s Plan of Salvation

Below is the plan God has outlined in His Word for humankind to receive His grace, which leads to salvation and an eternity with God in heaven. This plan is straight from the Bible. 

We have to hear His word. (Romans 10:17) 

Upon hearing the message of Jesus, we believe it. (Mark 16:16) 

Then, we confess Jesus’ name before men. (Matthew 10:32) 

Next, we repent of our sins. (Acts 2:38, Acts 3:19) 

Finally, we are baptized into Christ for the remission of our sins.  (Acts 2:38, Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:16, Romans 6:3-4, Acts 22:16, 1 Corinthians 12:13, Galatians 3:26-27) After baptism, God adds us to His church. (Acts 2:47)