THE REAL THIRST QUENCHER
John 7:37-39
INTRO: Soft drink advertisements on television present either an parched environment or energy draining exercises as a background for their products. The viewer can see the need for refreshment, and then the advertisers present their drink as the real thirst quencher.
On each of the seven preceeding days water was drawn in a golden pitcher from the pool of Siloam and carried in a procession to the temple and offered by the priests as the singers chanted Isaiah 12:3: “With joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.” It is uncertain whether the rituals were made upon the eighth day. If they were not made, the words of Jesus would have had a greater impact.
At the Feast of the Tabernacles, Jesus decided to make an appeal to thirsty people. He presented Himself as the Water of life. Attenders at the feast knew the necessity of water for crops and themselves. Jesus presented Himself as the real thirst quencher. Notice the stages of Jesus’ offer.
I. STAGE ONE: THE RECOGNITION OF A UNIVERSAL NEED.
“If any man thirst.” Jesus knew the needs of people and their deep spiritual drives. He sensed the spiritual thirst of those at the Feast of Tabernacles.
A world has a thirst deeper than physical thirst. People thirst for God, for personal happiness, and for better relationships. Jesus helps people with their thirst by reminding them of their thirst. “If any man thirst.”
II. STAGE TWO: THE DECLARATION OF A GRACIOUS INVITATION.
“Let him come unto me.” When people recognize and acknowledge their thirst, Jesus invites them to come to Him. Jesus acknowledged their thirst. Jesus invites them to come to Him. Jesus acknowledged Himself to be the source for satisfying deep thirst.
Many artificial thirst quenchers attract people. But the only real thirst quencher is Jesus. “Let him come unto me.”
III. STAGE THREE: THE SPECIFICATION OF A HUMAN RESPONSE.
“He that believeth on me.” Jesus told the worshipers that the only way to get the real Water of life is to believe on Him.
To believe is to open life to the Lord. As soon as a person opens life, Jesus joins Himself with that person. The thirst is satisfied.
IV. STAGE FOUR: THE CELEBRATION OF A MIGHTY BLESSING.
“Out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.” Not only will the person who drinks of the true Water of life be satisfied, but the one who drinks will be a supplier of water for others.
CONC: Are you thirsty for life? Have you tried to quench your thirst and failed? Open your life to Jesus. He is the real thirst quencher.
