Thoughts on the Gospel of John (45) - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2025

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 7:37-39.

Thoughts on the Gospel of John (45)
The Feast of Tabernacles was approaching its end. On the eighth day there was to be a holy convocation for the people of Israel, which was the climax of their joy (cf. Leviticus 23:24.36).

On this day Jesus preached for the second time on the "living water". He knew that none of the Jewish feasts could satisfy the deep needs in people's souls. He also knew that alongside the large number of hostile listeners there were some who sensed this. His invitation to come to Him and drink applied to them particularly.

The Lord had already offered the Samaritan woman at Jacob's well the water that would quench all thirst (cf. John 4). Here He used the illustration of a spring. In His explanation He went a step further: the water, once drunk, flowed as rivers.

In both passages the water is a type of the Holy Spirit, which enables us to enjoy eternal life now already and to worship God in spirit and in truth. In addition, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit makes believers a blessing for their environment, like a spring bringing dry land pleasing refreshment.

Since Pentecost, ten days after Christ's resurrection, the Holy Spirit dwells in the redeemed as a Person of the Godhead. It is hard to conceive of a greater blessing.

(to be continued next Sunday)

Today's reading: Genesis 43:1-15 · Psalms 30:1-12