18: “From within him will flow rivers of living water” (John 7:37 – 52)

On the last day of the feast, Jesus proclaimed that He was the one who would fulfill the hope of salvation raised in their hearts while observing the Feast every year that celebrated the Lord’s past deliverance.

👉 Read John 7:37 - 52

Q1. The 'rivers of living water' refer to the Holy Spirit. How to receive the Spirit? 

Come to Jesus and believe in Him

If you are thirsty and hungry in your soul, you are able to go to Jesus. If not, not yet. 

Verse 39. Know that Jesus’ sacrifice was required for the Holy Spirit to come to us.

The Feast of Temporary Shelters (or Sukkot) commemorates Israel’s deliverance from Egypt and their life in the wilderness, as described in Leviticus 23:34-44. Also, it is time to thank God for His blessings in Canaan, as in Deuteronomy 16:13-15. 

People traditionally decorate these temporary dwellings with harvest fruits, lights, and lots of color. They “dwell” in them for seven days just as the Lord commanded, to commemorate their time in the wilderness. Each temporary dwelling is called a “sukkah” in Hebrew, hence the festival’s Hebrew name (plural of sukkah): Sukkot!

In Jesus’ days, under Roman rule, they longed for the Lord’s salvation as if He had delivered their ancestors from Egypt. In such hope, they had the Water Pouring Ceremony, as an event on the last day of Sukkot. The Priests would pour water over the altar that was earlier drawn from the Pool of Siloam. This event was derived from the words of Prophet Isaiah. He wrote, “With joy, you will draw water from the wells of salvation” (12:3). Thus, the people were pouring the water while praying for salvation.

At such a climax of the Feast, Jesus proclaimed this way. 'I will make the water of salvation flow within you, not from the well of Siloam!'

Q2. (40 - 44) Some of the crowd believed Jesus. Some not. What was the reason for their unbelief? 

They knew the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem. But Jesus was known from Galilee.

We know that Jesus was born in Bethlehem. When we are obsessed with our knowledge that sometimes could be defective, we would miss the truth. However, some of them believed Jesus based on His words and ministry, despite the little discrepancy in their knowledge about Christ.

That’s why Jesus said, ‘Do not judge according to external appearance but judge with proper judgment.’ 

Q3. (45 – 52) What were their excuses for not-believing Jesus? (two)  

They thought Jesus did not know the law

They had the prejudice that no prophet comes from Galilee

However, they were the ones who didn’t know the law because they condemned Jesus without hearing from Him. 

Here again, their excuses imply they were judging by external appearance. Though Jesus conformed to the spirit of the law and fulfilled the law, they accused Jesus of violating the explicit terms of the law. Furthermore, ‘no prophet from Galilee’ was based on their experience. Their minds were limited to their own experience and understanding, and not open to God’s new revelation. 

Meanwhile, the officers and Nicodemus were receptive to God’s intervention in their lives.

Surely, the gospel of the Holy Spirit is something new and even strange for us who have lived by ourselves. Be open and accept the Lord’s guidance in your life.

“If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me, and let the one who believes in me drink.” What a comforting and encouraging invitation from our Lord! Live in His abundance today!