If Any Man Thirst

Quotes:

“Faith is a living and unshakable confidence. A belief in God so assured that a man would die a thousand deaths for its sake.” -- Martin Luther

“Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase.” - Martin Luther King Jr.

"The beautiful thing about this adventure called faith is that we can count on Him never to lead us astray." - Chuck Swindoll

Leviticus 23:33-44

All Jewish holidays (holy-days) begin at sundown.

The Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot in Hebrew) also called Feast of Booths just occurred on this past September 18th - 25th, 2013 (15th day of the 7th month [Tishrei], 5774).

The Feast of Tabernacles is the 7th and final feast.

It is also associated with the fall harvest and is known as the “Festival of Ingathering”.

Extra Torah customs were added and observed, such as the waving of the “Four Species” (the lulav), circling the synagogue in a processional while singing hymns and decorating the sukkah (booth).

The 8th day Shmini Atzeret ("the assembly of the eighth (day).") and Simchat Torah ("Rejoicing in the Torah.").

The 8th day is a more solemn day; a day for spending time with the Lord. It is also was day for celebration of completion of reading through the Torah during the year. Jews danced and rejoiced in the streets holding Torah scrolls.

Also on this 8th day, they would offer in the temple the first fruits of their latte crops. During the feast, the 113th, 114th, 115th, 116th, 117th, 118th, and 119th Psalms were sung.

Another extra Torah observance was called the “Water Ceremony”.

On the 8th day a priest would draw some water out of the pool Siloam into a golden vessel, and then bring it into the temple with the High Priest leading the procession. As the priests approached the water gate, the shofar would be blown. This was accomplished during the time of the of the morning sacrifice, while the members of the sacrifice were on the altar; the priest would go up and pour the water mingled with wine upon the Altar. At the same time the people would all be singing with joy Isaiah 12:1-6 (especially verse 6).

Isaiah 12:1-6 “1- And in that day thou shalt say, O LORD, I will praise thee: though thou wast angry with me, thine anger is turned away, and thou comfortedst me. 2- Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation. 3- Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation. 4- And in that day shall ye say, Praise the LORD, call upon his name, declare his doings among the people, make mention that his name is exalted. 5- Sing unto the LORD; for he hath done excellent things: this is known in all the earth. 6- Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion: for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee. 6- Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion: for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee.”

(Between John chapter 6 and chapter 7, 6 months has passed and during that time we know that many things occurred and that Jesus had been to Galilee 4 or 5 times.)

Now we have the setting for John chapter 7.

John 7:1 “After these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill him.”

Jesus was no longer tolerated, and therefore could not preach publicly in Judea, except at the risk of His life. So it was that He found easier to minister in Galilee than Judea, since in Judea the chief priest and priests were always trying to kill Him.

John 7:2, 10, 14 “2- Now the Jews' feast of tabernacles was at hand. 10- … when his brethren were gone up, then went he also up unto the feast, not openly, but as it were in secret. 14- …about the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple, and taught.”

John 7:37 “In the last[8th] day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried[emphatically], saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.”

There is no lasting earthly satisfaction whether it be in money, fame, or fortune.

Jesus cried out, “IF YOU ARE THIRSTY”… in need, lacking, empty, hurting… “COME UNTO ME”!

Our souls are predisposition-ed to thirst after God’s grace, mercy & love.

Matthew 5:6 “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.”

You were born for God’s love and you cannot ‘truly’ live without it.

Go to the Lord and drink freely of His grace, of His Mercy and His forgiveness.