Jesus Said, "He That Believes On Me, As The Scripture Hath Said, 'Out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water." - Part 1330

In the last day, that great [day] of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, "If any man thirst, let him come unto Me, and drink. He that believes on Me, as the scripture hath said, "Out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water." (John 7:37-38) Note here that Jesus spake of the Spirit, which they that believe on Him should receive -- "for the Holy Ghost was not yet [given] because that Jesus was not yet glorified." (John 7:39)

Throughout the new testament, Jesus told us that He had come "in His Father's name." Jesus also made it clear that He is the only Way, the Truth and the Life. Indeed, Jesus said, "If ye had known Me, ye should have known My Father also, and from henceforth, ye know Him and have seen Him." (John 14:6-7)

Interestingly, this particular dialogue between Jesus and the disciples prompted Philip to ask Jesus, "Lord, shew us the Father, and it suffices us." Jesus saith unto him, "Have I been so long time with you, and yet, hast thou not known Me, Philip? he that hath seen Me hath seen the Father. And how say thou [then], Shew us the Father?" (John 14:8-9)

Jesus was saying, "I am He that you seek" but very few were paying attention. The Jews at the time had been expecting a King, but not the kind of King that was born in a manger. Even though He was in the world and the world was made by Him, the world knew Him not. He came unto His own and His own received Him not. (John 1:10-11)

Before I continue, let me acknowledge that the Godhead has been covered multiple times in this blog. And, also, the scripture shared that God is not the author of confusion. For those who study His Word, and believe on His precious name, there does come clarity of understanding. (II Timothy 2:15; Revelation 3:8-9) Rarely, however, have we examined the Godhead from the scriptural example cited in John 7.

Herein, the feast of the tabernacles was at hand and as we read, the Jews were seeking to kill Jesus. His brethren had told Jesus to depart hence and go into Judaea, "that Thy disciples also may see the works that Thou doest. For [there is] no man [that] doeth any thing in secret, and He Himself seeks to be known openly. If Thou do these things, shew Thyself to the world."

For neither did His brethren believe in Him. (John 7:1-4)

"The Jews sought the more to kill Him, because He not only had broken the sabbath but said also that God was His Father, making Himself equal with God." (John 5:18)

The Jews continued to seek Jesus at the feast, asking the brethren for His whereabouts. In the midst, there were a range of opinions. There were those who considered Jesus to be a good man, while others said, "Nay, He deceives the people." (John 7:11-12) Still, even in the murmuring that ensued among the people, no man spake openly of Jesus for fear of the Jews. (John 7:11-13) In the midst of the feast, Jesus show up in the temple to teach. "And the Jews marveled, asking, "How knows this man letters, having never learned?" (John 7:15)

For a moment, consider the circumstance here. Jesus has already been baptized under John's baptism of repentance. Jesus is becoming known for performing miracles. Jesus has similarly broken one of the commandments by healing on the sabbath. He has healed the nobleman's son, among many others who were diseased, and fed five thousand from five barley loaves and two small fishes. And, Jesus has walked on the sea. He has told the multitudes of people who followed Him -- "I am the bread of life. He that comes to Me shall never hunger; and he that believes on Me shall never thirst." (John 3:1-John 6:35)

Still, the scriptures state that His own brethren did not believe in Him. At the same time, the Jews sought to kill Him for claiming He was the bread which came down from heaven. Those who followed Jesus held differing opinions about His character, Even those who were included in the five thousand fed only desired more food for their bellies.

So, knowing all this, what does Jesus say?

"But I said unto you, -- that ye also have seen Me and believe not." (John 6:36)

Here these were witnessing the miracles and numerous healing of those diseased and possessed with devils, and still did not believe Jesus. They saw Jesus Himself who told them that He was the bread of life and yet they believed not. He told them that those that "believes on Me shall never thirst" but again, the murmuring continued. (John 6:35)

Jesus did not stop there. He said, "But I said unto you" as in Jesus the Christ has declared to one and all "that ye also have seen Me and believe not. All that the Father gives Me shall come to Me; and him that comes to Me I will in no wise cast out.  For I came down from heaven, not to do Mine own will, but the will of Him that sent Me. And this is the Father's will -- that of all which He hath given Me, I should lose nothing but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of Him that sent Me, that every one which sees the Son, and believes on Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise Him up at the last day." (John 6:36-40)

As if Jesus' words could not be sufficient, Jesus cites a prophecy from afore -- one that the learned Jews should have known. Jesus said, "It is written in the prophets, "And they shall be all taught of God." Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father comes unto Me. Not that any man hath seen the Father, save He which is of God, He has seen the Father. Verily, verily, I say unto you. He that believes on Me has everlasting life. I am that bread of life. Your fathers did eat bread in the wilderness and are dead. This is the bread which comes down from heaven that a man may eat thereof, and not die. I am the living bread which came down from heaven; if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever, and the bread that I will give is My flesh, which I will give for the life of the world ... this is that bread which came down from heaven, not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead; he that eats of this bread shall live for ever." (John 6:43-58; John 1:18; Isaiah 54:13)

What was Jesus saying here? He was telling them that He was God manifest in the world. He was saying that before Abraham was, I AM. Here is the awaited Christ -- the promised Messiah -- the living bread wherein one never hungers again. The living water wherein we never thirst again -- from a well that never runs dry. Jesus was saying that no man hath seen the Father, save He which is of God. The only begotten. The seed which was promised. And she shall call His name Jesus for He shall save His people from their sins. (Matthew 1:21-23) But I digress.

As we know from scripture, Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray Him. (John 6:64)

Still, at the temple, Jesus answers the Jews'question, saying, "My doctrine is not Mine but His that sent Me. If any man do His will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or [whether] I speak of Myself. He that speaks of himself seeks his own glory, but He that seeks His glory that sent Him, the same is true and no unrighteousness is in Him. Did not Moses give you the law, and [yet] none of you keeps the law? Why go about to kill Me?" (John 7:16-19)

To this, the Jews asked if this was He whom they sought to kill. "Do the rulers know that this is the very Christ? Howbeit we know this man whence He is: but when Christ come, no man knows whence He is." (John 7:25-27) To which Jesus responded, saying, "Ye both know Me, and ye know whence I am; and I am not come of Myself, but He that sent Me is true, whom ye know not. But I know Him for I am from Him and He hath sent Me." (John 7:28-29)

Although on the surface, it would appear that Jesus is talking in riddles, He wanted those with ears to hear, to hear, and those with eyes to see, to see. It is for this reason that Jesus hid nothing from His accusers, even when these still did not believe that He was whom He said He was. Some are even heard asking, "When Christ comes, will He do more miracles than these which this [man] hath done?" (John 7:31)

Sadly, as we know, these didn't even try to understand what Jesus was saying. The words that He spoke were just words, even when these particular words were supported by signs and wonders, and miraculous healings that had never been witnessed before. Nay, to them, Jesus was not God manifest in the flesh, even though Jesus told them that they would all be taught of God. (I Timothy 3:16; Isaiah 9:6)

"And thy seed shall inherit the Gentiles." (Isaiah 54:3)

"For Thy Maker is thine husband; the Lord of hosts [is] His name; and Thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel: The God of the whole earth shall He be called." (Isaiah 54:5)

Once you understand why the Holy Ghost was not yet given "because Jesus was not yet glorified" we also understand why Jesus said, "Yet a little while am I with you, and [then] I go unto Him that sent Me. Ye shall seek Me, and shall not find [Me]; and where I am, [thither] ye cannot come." (John 7:34)

Still, even in the midst of major division among the people, whereby there was very little agreement to who Jesus was, the officers tasked with bringing Jesus to the chief priests and Pharisees said, "Never man spake like this man." (John 7:46)

Don't get stuck with the notions and traditions of a modern day religious culture that doesn't accept that ALL power was given to Jesus. (Matthew 28:18) Rather, study His Word for your edification and knowledge. Be astonished at Jesus' doctrine, and know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, as did Luke that this same Jesus, whom they crucified -- "His word was with power." (Luke 4:32)

Stand in the offering plate.