Water In John’s Gospel, 7of11

~ John 7 – The Feast of Tabernacles ~

Introduction  ~  The Gospel of John contains numerous references to water.  In fact over half (11 of 21) the chapters reference water.  We are looking at these passages in this series.

Scripture  ~  “The Pharisees heard the crowd murmuring these things concerning Him, and the Pharisees and the chief priests sent officers to take Him.  Then Jesus said to them, ‘I shall be with you a little while longer, and then I go to Him who sent Me.  You will seek Me and not find Me, and where I am you cannot come.’  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?  What is this thing that He said, “You will seek Me and not find Me, and where I am you cannot come”?’  

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.  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 7:32-39).          

Notes  ~  1. The Feast of Tabernacles was a week-long event in early Fall—September or early October. 

2. It was a feast of thanksgiving for God’s great faithfulness—it would no doubt included thankfulness for the water from the rock during the wilderness wanderings.

3. This was also a time of hostility toward Jesus (11 death threats in chapters 6-8).

4. The first part of the passage above (John 7:32-36) is about the interaction of Jesus with the religious leaders of the day.

5. The rest of the above passage (John 7:37-39) is about the promise of the coming Spirit of God.

6. As a sidebar consider that in Genesis 7 we find waters of death (7:21), while John 7 is about the water of life (7:37).

The Key Question  ~  Do you possess the abundance of “living water” which is only available through Jesus Christ. 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

NOTES:

(1)     The current TOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very bottom of this home page.

(2)     There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column.

(3)     You may LINK to any ALN posts on your own blog or website. 

(4)     You may COPY any ALN post, but please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight at http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/ .