John 7:37-39-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.
At the heart of the Feast was a daily procession. Priest carrying Golden Pitcher would lead a parade or procession through the city to the pool of Siloam singing the words of Isaiah 12:3-Therefore with joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.
The great crowd of people would parade back to the Temple and the Priest would pour the water from the pool of Siloam down upon the Altar and the people would shout and wave palm branches.
This procedure went on for seven days, but on the last day the procedure was repeated with two significant exceptions. First, when the parade of people returned from the pool of Siloam, the Priests would march around the Altar seven times commemorating Joshua's victory at Jericho.
Secondly, the Priests would raise the golden pitcher over the Altar as they had done each day previously, but this time there was no water — only an empty pitcher.
That God had not fulfilled the promise that was promised in Ezekiel 47 that a river would flow out of God‘s temple (This water would give life), now instead of a shout and the waving of palm branches as the people had done each day, they now stood in silence.
It was in the moment of silence, this moment of bewilderment, emptiness and meaninglessness that Jesus cried out.
They had went through the motions, they had observed ritual, they had sung hymns, they had participated in the service, but there was no meaning, no power, no life. They found themselves right where they had started. Nothing was any different.
They walked away with their hopes, their dreams and their expectations not being fulfilled!
And the same thing can happen today in church, people can go to church filled with hopes and dreams and expectations, and the sad part they all too often they go away unfulfilled and empty.
Has life left you weary, stressed, broken-hearted?
Does your life seem empty?
Does life seem meaningless?
Then listen for the invitation!
If Anyone-Doesn’t matter who they are, rich or poor, educated or uneducated, old or young, whether they have committed one sin or many sins, they can receive what Jesus offers!
Thirsts-No one has to tell you, you are thirsty! You just know!
Before a person can be saved, he/she must sense their need of salvation!
The thirst in the soul is as real as the thirst of the physical body!
A person can have a longing or a craving for love, for forgiveness, for peace, for freedom, for hope, acceptance and for salvation!
Come To Me-Not to religion, not to ritual, not relying on someone else’s relationship with Him, but we must all come to Him….Individually!
You want to lay your head on your pillow in peace at night? Jesus can do that for you!
You want to know for sure where your soul will spend eternity? Jesus can assure you of that!
You want to know true joy and contentment? Jesus can do that for you!
And Drink-No matter how thirsty I am, I can go to the sink, I can fill the glass full of water, but until I put that glass to my lips and began to drink the water, it will not quench my thirst!
We have to receive what Jesus offers! Autumn said, “If someone gives you a check, it won’t do you any good till you accept it!”
I would add to that statement “And you cash it!”
Out Of His Heart Will Flow Rivers Of Living Water-Not only do we drink and have our own thirst quenched, but we become the supplier! The supplier of living water to the world!
Out of our hearts should flow rivers, not one river and not just a drip, but rivers!
The reason your life might stink, is because your life has become a stagnant storage tank instead of rivers of living water!
Fill My Cup Lord
Like the woman at the well I was seeking
For things that could not satisfy,
And then I heard my Savior speaking
Draw from my well that never shall run dry
Fill my cup Lord, I lift it up, Lord
Come and quench this thirsting of my soul
Bread of heaven, Feed me till I want no more
Fill my cup, fill it up and make me whole
There are millions in this world
who are craving The pleasures earthly things afford
But none can match the wondrous treasure
That I find in Jesus Christ my Lord
Fill my cup Lord, I lift it up, Lord
Come and quench this thirsting of my soul
Bread of heaven, Feed me till I want no more
Fill my cup, fill it up and make me whole
Fill my cup Lord, I lift it up, Lord
Come and quench this thirsting of my soul
Bread of heaven, Feed me till I want no more
Fill my cup, fill it up and make me whole
